If you recently applied for a checking account and were denied because of a negative banking history, you’re not alone. Approximately 85% of banks in Mississippi use a company called ChexSystems when you apply for a new checking account. If you have experienced several overdraft checks from another bank or have been unable to pay overdraft fees, ChexSystems will flag that behavior making it next to impossible to find a bank willing to work with you.
Granted, ChexSystems is the safety net for bank institutions to weed out people who have committed fraud or identity theft, but if you get caught in the net it can be crippling. And most of us absolutely require the use of a bank checking account to manage our money, pay bills, and receive direct deposits from an employer or government agency.
Fortunately, some banks and credit unions offer so-called No ChexSystems Checking Accounts and/or Second Chance Checking Accounts to help people rebuild their credit and financial histories. Our job at checkingexpert.com is to find those institutions in Mississippi that can assist you.
The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Mississippi
Chime is a fast-growing internet-only financial company. Unlike big banks, Chime was created during the smartphone era and, therefore, features an app that is more than just a way for customers to review their bank accounts.And, best of all, Chime accepts almost all customers who apply. Even if you have bad or poor credit or have been blacklisted by ChexSystems or credit bureaus. This makes Chime a solid choice for a second chance bank account.
Features include mobile deposits, direct deposit, online bill payment, NO monthly or annual fees, NO overdrafts, NO credit check, and NO CheckSystems.
Here are a few of the highlights:
- FREE Visa® debit card
- NO monthly Service Charge
- NO monthly minimums
- NO credit check; Bad credit OK
- NO ChexSystems or Telecheck; guaranteed approval
- FREE online banking and mobile banking/deposits
- FREE mobile and online bill pay
- NO foreign transaction fees
- NO fees at over 60,000 ATMs at convenient locations like Walgreens, 7-Eleven, CVS and more
- SAVINGS: You can round up every purchase to the nearest dollar and automatically deposit that difference into your savings account.
Chime Lets You Get A Jump On Payday
You can receive your paycheck up to two days earlier than at a traditional bank if you set up direct deposit — Chime processes your employer’s check immediately instead of waiting like other banks may.
Chime is one of the most friendly for those who have been negatively impacted by bad credit, ChexSystems, or Telecheck.
Your Chime Visa Debit Card charges NO fees at over 60,000 ATMs found at these retailers and many more:
Get a Chime Account Today!
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
The SoFi Money Cash Management Account is offered by SoFi Securities LLC, a FINRA registered broker dealer. It’s a checking account on steroids and we love that. Plus, they don’t use ChexSystems to approve accounts. When you sign up and deposit at least $10 within 5 days, SoFi will deposit an additional $25 in your account immediately!You get a debit MasterCard and a very slick smartphone app. You can make deposits, write checks, utilize electronic bill pay, and transfer money. There are no monthly fees or overdraft fees. Plus, you earn interest on all the money in the account! The sign-up process can take less than 60 seconds.
There is no minimum balance requirement and SoFi Money is available in all 50 states.
- No account fees
- Unlimited reimbursed ATM fees
- Access to SoFi member benefits like career coaching and financial advising
- Automated bill pay
- Freeze debit card on-the-go
SoFi Money has been great! The account was easy to open and I got my debit card a few days later. The smartphone app is easy to use and I can check everything from my computer, too. I’ve had some issues with ChexSystems in the past and SoFi Money seems to be the perfect account.
Gena M., SoFi Money Customer
BancorpSouth has one of the best options if you want to get back on your feet fast. They offer a Budget Smart Checking account that rewards good financial behavior. With a Budget Smart Checking account, you can enjoy the ease of access to your funds with a debit card and free access to online budgeting tools to help you out.With this account, you’ll also be eligible to level up to a regular checking account in as little as 12 months as long as no more blemishes pop up. This account costs only $5 monthly and requires a $25 deposit to open the account.
With plenty of locations, it will be easy to find a branch when needed. BancorpSouth has dozens of locations in Mississippi in cities such as Forest, Flowood, Ridgeland, Starkville, and many others.
If you’ve been turned down by other banks, we recommend Pathway Checking from Bank OZK. Many accounts limit your access to features, but this second chance checking option gives you all the benefits of a traditional checking account.There is a minimum opening balance of $50 and a $10 monthly service fee. However, there is no minimum balance requirement. Pathway Checking includes:
- Free debit card
- Free online and mobile banking
- Free telephone banking
- Free online bill pay
- eStatements
- Unlimited check writing
Bank OZK has one branch location in Mississippi in Brookhaven. Visit their website or stop by their branch to get started!
BankPlus is here to help those who need financial help. If you’re in a situation where you’re unable to get a traditional checking account and want to rebuild your credit, they offer a product called CreditPlus.In addition to a CreditPlus Checking account, you can use the product to help you get out of a Payday Lending cycle. They offer small, low-interest loans that are provided as an alternative to expensive Payday Lenders and Check Cashing services. To get started with any part of this program, you will need to complete a financial literacy course.
To open a CreditPlus Checking account, you will need $100 as an opening deposit. With dozens of locations across Mississippi, it is definitely worth looking into if you’re looking for a helping hand with your finances. Their locations include Byram, Cleveland, Durant, Jackson, and many other cities.
Rather than using ChexSystems, Cadence Bank will look at your credit report to determine if you’re eligible for a checking account. It’s important to note that they require a credit score of at least 675 at the time of account opening.Blue Checking is their most basic account that comes with a bunch of additional services for a low cost. There is a $50 minimum opening deposit as well as a low $8 monthly service fee that can be waived if you keep an average balance of $250 or more. We like this account because it comes with unique benefits like cell phone protection, buyers protection, and ID theft aid.
Cadence Bank has over 10 branches located in Mississippi. Visit one of their convenient branches in Aberdeen, Armory, Columbus, Philadelphia, Starkville, or West Point to get started!
Citizens National Bank offers a second chance to those who have been turned away in the past with their Clean Slate Checking account. The account is designed to help you regain your financial strength and ultimately upgrade to a traditional checking account after 18 months of good standing.Clean Slate Checking includes all of the necessities like online banking access, free eStatements, and a CNB debit card for all of your day-to-day expenses. If you enroll in direct deposit, you can reduce the monthly service fee down to $7.95. It’s also important to note that there is a required opening deposit of at least $50.
You can find Citizens National Bank locations throughout Mississippi in cities including Carthage, Hattiesburg, Quitman, Macon, and many others. Contact a branch nearest you to get started!
If you’ve had problems in the past with ChexSystems banks, First Bank may be a viable option for you. They use Telecheck instead of ChexSystems to determine if you’re eligible for a checking account. Out of their several different account options, we recommend the Simple Checking account.Simple Checking comes with all of the necessities while remaining easy and affordable. For a low monthly service fee of $6, you can enjoy online banking access, mobile check deposits, and a free MasterCard debit card with card freeze services. The monthly service fee can be waived entirely if your balance stays above $500.
First Bank is entirely Mississippi-based and has locations across the state. You can find them in Brookhaven, Hattiesburg, Liberty, Madison, Magnolia, McComb, Monticello, Osyka, and Summit.
First National Bank of Picayune is another example of an option that uses Telecheck when screening new applicants. If your main issue is with ChexSystems but you haven’t been reported to Telecheck, this may be an excellent option for you.We recommend their Choice Checking if you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss option for managing your money. All that is required to open the account is a deposit of at least $50. We like that you can waive the $6 monthly service fee just by keeping at least $50 in your account. The account also offers unlimited check writing.
First National Bank of Picayune has six branches for all of your in-person banking needs. You can find four of them in Picayune, one in Poplarville, and one in Wiggins. Contact the branch nearest you to open an account!
Fort Sill National Bank is an excellent choice for those looking for second chance checking. Their Basic Checking account does not require a credit check. We like that you aren’t required to enroll in direct deposit or pay high service fees. If your account balance is over $75, your monthly service fee of $6 is waived. If your account balance is over $500, you begin to earn interest.All you need is $5 to open an account at one of their branches in Byram, Canton, Flowood, Jackson, Madison, or Pearl. The Basic Checking account comes with:
- A free Visa CheckCard
- Unlimited check writing
- Surcharge-free ATM withdrawals at FSNB locations
- Access to the Savings Round Up program
- Online, mobile, and text checking options
GO2bank is an offering of pre-paid card giant GoBank and we think it’s a step in the right direction. Like some of the newer “challenger banks” GO2bank will deposit your direct deposit check up to 2 days early and has cashback rewards on several categories of purchases. This account also makes you eligible for the GO2bank credit card, which has no annual fee or required credit check.One significant drawback to many online-only bank accounts is that they have no way to accept cash deposits. But GO2bank accepts cash deposits at over 90,000 Green Dot locations nationwide. However, participating retailers may charge you a fee.
If you direct deposit over $500, your monthly maintenance fee of $5.00 is waived. And, they offer a pretty sweet overdraft protection program, but it has a gotcha charge of $15 if you don’t replace the funds within 24 hours.
Account-holders will appreciate the ability to budget their money with the help of a mobile app, budgeting tools, and a savings vault. In fact, they pay 1% on all money in the saving vault up to $5,000.
Go Further from GTE Financial helps put you on the path to a better checking account. If you don’t qualify for a traditional account, the Go Further account will help you get there in as little as 12 months. We consider this a low-cost second chance checking. As long as you make a total deposit of $500 for the month, opt to receive eStatements and make 15 monthly transactions, the $9.95 maintenance fee is waived.GTE Financial is one of the largest credit unions in the US. Membership is open to anyone through easy requirements and an online application process. The Go Further account includes:
- Free EMV-equipped debit card with built-in rewards
- Online and mobile banking tools
- Free bill pay service
- Easy money transfers through the Popmoney service
Gulf Coast Community FCU offers a second chance to those who have a negative history with ChexSystems, regardless of how recent the incident occurred. They offer their New Chance Checking account to those with a ChexSystems record that is less than a year old. As long as all balances are paid, you will qualify for this account.New Chance Checking includes unlimited check writing, free online banking access, and a free Visa debit card. While there is a moderate monthly service fee of $15, you won’t have to worry about minimum balance requirements. The account also provides you with financial counseling to help you stay on track.
After 12 months of good standing, you will be able to upgrade to a traditional checking account at Gulf Coast Community FCU. You are eligible to join if you live, work, worship, or attend school in Harrison or Hancock Counties. Visit them in Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, or D’Iberville to get started!
Home Bank utilizes Telecheck in lieu of ChexSystems when you apply for a checking account. We recommend Choice Checking because it’s a low-cost account that is packed with noteworthy account features.Choice Checking comes with all of the necessities like access to online banking with bill pay, free eStatements, a Visa debit card, and overdraft protection services. All that is required is a $100 opening deposit. There is an $8 monthly service fee that can be waived by meeting one of the following transaction types each statement cycle:
- Write 5 checks
- Utilize bill pay 5 times
- Use your debit card for 5 point-of-sale transactions (excluding ATM transactions)
- OR if the primary account holder is 24 years and younger
You can apply for Choice Checking online or visit one of Home Bank’s branch locations. You can find them in Vicksburg and Natchez.
Hope Credit Union is looking out for those who need a second chance. If your credit is low or you’ve had issues with ChexSystems in the past, their Easy Checking may be a great option for you.You’ll need to keep a $25 minimum balance, but the $9.95 monthly fee can be waived with a $200 minimum balance. Plus, there is an opening deposit of $25 that is required. On the upside, you’ll get a free debit card and free eStatements along with online banking, bill pay, mobile/smartphone app, free telephone customer service, and free direct deposit.
Hope Credit Union has 12 locations in Mississippi. You can find them in cities including Biloxi, Drew, Greenville, Jackson, and several others.
Magnolia Credit Union offers their Opportunity Checking account for those looking to reestablish a positive banking history. After 12 months of good standing, you can upgrade to any traditional account and receive $100 as an added bonus!To open an Opportunity Checking account, you will need to make an initial deposit of $20 and pay a one-time opening fee of $20. From that point, there is a steep $20 monthly service charge that can be reduced to $15 if you enroll in direct deposit. The account comes with all of the basics including unlimited check writing and overdraft protection from a savings account.
Magnolia CU extends membership to anyone who has a connection to one of seven eligible counties. You can find their three branches located in Flowood, Jackson, and Madison. Contact a branch nearest you to see if you’re eligible!
If you want a second chance with banking after having difficulties managing a checking account in the past, look no further than MUNA Federal Credit Union. Their Fresh Start Checking account is designed to help you improve your financial standing.Fresh Start Checking is a bare-bones account that includes the necessities. It includes a Visa debit card and access to online banking. The monthly fee is a moderate $10.50 and cannot be waived. While MUNA FCU does not have a huge internet presence, they do offer a simple product that can help you get back on track.
You can become a member of this credit union if you live, work, or worship in Lauderdale County. Visit their branch in Meridian to join and apply for a checking account.
No matter your banking past, Navy Federal Credit Union offers traditional checking for all members in Alabama and across the US. With no review requirements of your banking history, NFCU is an excellent choice for active duty or retired US military, family members and government contractors. There are two banking choices to choose from: Active Duty Checking and Free eChecking.Both account options come with a free NFCU debit card. There is no monthly service fee with direct deposit. Your account is protected from overdrafts with free savings transfers, a checking line of credit or an optional overdraft protection service. You also receive:
- Free mobile deposits
- Free bill pay
- Free traditional name-only checks
- Dividends credited monthly
Peoples Cash Solutions understands that being denied a checking account for bad credit or problems with ChexSystems or TeleCheck isn’t a good feeling. If you haven’t been involved in fraudulent activity, all you need is a fresh start. You can find it with the Second Chance Checking account from Peoples Cash Solutions.Second Chance Checking offers easy direct deposit to save you time and money by eliminating the check cashing process. Your access to your money is simple through a Peoples Cash Solutions debit Mastercard. Other convenient features include:
- Online banking
- Online money transfers
- Online bill pay
- A personal checkbook
- ATM access
You can apply online with a $30 minimum deposit. There is a monthly maintenance fee of $4.95 for Second Chance Checking through Peoples Cash Solutions.
If you have had issues with ChexSystems in the past but your credit has remained somewhat healthy, PriorityOne Bank may be a good option for you. They utilize a credit report to determine if you are eligible for an account. As long as there aren’t too many negative entries, you should be good to go.We recommend Keep It Simple Checking if you want an easy account that doesn’t charge unnecessary fees. The account has a low $7 monthly service charge that can be waived if you maintain a daily balance of $100 or more. The account requires $50 to open and you will even receive up to $25 if you bring in your unused checks and debit cards from previous banks.
We like this account because you can apply for it online. You can find PriorityOne Bank locations across the state in cities including Collins, Seminary, Hattiesburg, Brandon, and several others.
You do not need a perfect banking history to open an Essential Checking account through Radius Bank. Designed to help you manage your money, this is an excellent opportunity to start over.All you need is a $10 minimum opening deposit. After that, you have no minimum balance requirements. There is a monthly service charge of $9, but you can apply for a free checking account after 12 months of positive banking history.
You can easily apply online for all Radius banking services. Essential Checking comes with:
- Free MasterCard® debit card
- Free mobile banking with check deposit
- Free online banking with bill pay
- No minimum balance
Opening a Fresh Start Checking account with Red River Credit Union can be a great step towards better financial wellness; even if you have a ChexSystems record. This account has most of the benefits of a standard checking account for a reasonable price.Benefits include a free Visa debit card with purchase alerts, access to online banking, and a reasonable maintenance fee of $10 a month. This account also offers money management tools that can help you stay on track with your finances.
To become a member of RRCU, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Quitman, Panola, Tallahatchie, Coahoma, or Bolivar Counties. You can also join if you have a relative who is already a member. To see if you’re eligible, visit their website or contact one of their branches in Batesville and Clarksdale!
Even if you have a negative ChexSystem history, Renasant Bank offers you conventional checking options. As long as you don’t have an account in bad standing with Renasant, you can choose from several checking accounts. We recommend Renasant Checking if you’re looking for a straightforward account with no strings attached.One of the convenient features of Renasant Checking is the ability to use Renasant’s Mobile Wallet with Zelle, Apple Pay, and Google Pay options. If you opt to receive eStatements instead of traditional paper statements, your monthly fee of $10 is waived. Renasant Bank checking accounts come with:
- Online banking with online bill pay
- Mobile banking app access
- Renasant Debit Mastercard
- Unlimited check writing
Renasant Bank branch locations can be found throughout the state of Georgia in cities like Madison, Ridgeland, Kosciusko, Louisville, and many others.
Southern Bancorp offers a smart way to manage your money with their Opportunity Card checking option. This bank doesn’t use ChexSystems, so even if you have a record there’s still a good chance you’ll be able to get an account.The Opportunity Card requires no minimum opening deposit and has a low monthly service fee of $5. We like this account because it doesn’t charge any NSF (non-sufficient funds) or overdraft fees. They also offer a few simple features like bill pay, check cashing, and online banking.
Southern Bancorp has branch locations spread across Mississippi in cities such as Carriere, Hernando, Indianola, Mound Bayou, Shelby, and many others.
Right Start Checking, provided by UNIFY Financial Credit Union, is a go-to option for people who have been denied membership of a traditional account due to a negative history with ChexSystems. Opening a Right Start Checking account, with an initial deposit of $25, will allow you to write as many checks as you need and overdraft protection up to $250.This account has no monthly fees associated and allows for eBanking from any device, meaning you’ll have access to your funds anywhere in the world that you have service. Building a positive checking history has never been easier with this second chance bank account.
Although UNIFY FCU only has one Mississippi branch located in Blue Springs, they are in-network with dozens of co-op shared branches where you’re able to make payments, transfers, check deposits, ect. These branches can be found in Tupelo, Oxford, Starkville, Magee, and many other cities.
Varo Bank is another internet-only bank with services based on their mobile apps for Apple and Android devices. Varo doesn’t charge fees at 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs and offers strong budgeting tools and automatic savings programs.When you open an account at Varo you can do so with no initial deposit. Plus, there are never any monthly maintenance fees, foreign transaction fees, transfer fees, or debit card replacement fees.
Finally, if Varo receives a payroll notification before your payday, it can deposit your money more quickly than many banks.
Washington Savings Bank gives you the opportunity to start fresh with their Online Rewards Checking. We understand that you need an account with easy accessibility and plenty of options. Washington Savings Bank provides all the perks you need to rebuild your banking relationship.With relaxed CheckSystems requirements, you’ll find it is easy to open an Online Rewards account. All you need is a minimum deposit of $10 and an online application. There is no minimum balance requirement, but there is a $14.95 monthly fee. After a year of good standing, you can convert your account to a free checking plan.
With Online Reward Checking, you have access to:
- A free Mastercard EMV debit card
- Free online banking and bill pay
- Free budgeting tools
- Free mobile banking
- Mobile deposit after 3 months of direct deposits
- Free eStatements
Wells Fargo recently changed the Opportunity Checking account to Clear Access Banking. And we like one change, in particular. Wells Fargo has done away with overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees. Clear Access Banking is a debit card-only account (no paper checks available) and if you attempt to purchase something without sufficient funds, the transaction will be denied. That’s a lot better than having the transaction approved and then discovering you’ve been hit with a $35 overdraft fee.There is a $5 monthly fee, but that is be waived for account holders 24 years old and younger. This account is available to residents in all 50 states.
- The largest number of branches in the U.S.
- Minimum deposit of $25 to open an account
- Online bill pay and smartphone app
- Mobile check deposit
- Includes a Visa debit card
- Send and receive money through Zelle
- Additional features include account alerts, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and zero liability protection for your debit card
Woodforest National Bank’s Second Chance Checking is designed for those with previous banking account challenges. With a minimum initial deposit of only $25 and a $9 one-time account fee, you can begin to build a positive banking relationship.You can lower your monthly maintenance fee from $11.95 to $9.95 by setting up monthly direct deposit. Woodforest offers:
- Online and mobile banking
- Woodforest Debit Card
- Overdraft solutions
- Additional financial services to meet your needs
All services are easily managed online or in-person at branches across the US. Woodforest National Bank has many locations in cities across Mississippi including Booneville, Corinth, Greenville, Meridian, and several others.
Did we leave your financial institution off this list of The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Mississippi? Has there been a change in any of the listings? Please let us know.