The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Nevada

BBVA Online Checking is our hands-down winner for the best second chance bank account for residents of Nevada. They have the strongest offering of any of our recommendations. No hidden fees, no monthly minimums, and no monthly service charge. BBVA uses EWS to screen applicants instead of ChexSystems, so it’s easy to get approved and takes about 3 minutes. Plus, their smartphone app and online tools are the best we’ve reviewed.

Why do we recommend BBVA Online Checking so highly? If you’ve got poor credit or find yourself on ChexSystems, BBVA will approve you for an account.

• NO monthly service charge
• NO monthly account balance minimums
• NO fees at over 64,000 Allpoint® and BBVA ATMs worldwide
• FREE online banking, bill pay, and mobile deposits
• FREE unlimited check writing
• FREE Visa® debit card
• Open with as little as $25
• BBVA USA, member FDIC

It’s simple to apply. The BBVA website is simple and easy to interact with. There is a $25 minimum deposit required to open an account. Your online approval is immediate. BBVA is one of the most friendly banks for those who need a second chance at a checking account. The entire process from start to finish takes about 3 minutes.

Your BBVA Visa Debit Card allows you access to all BBVA ATMs and Allpoint ATMs. Allpoint ATMs can be found at these retailers and many more:

Open a BBVA account today!

Our runner up is Chime Bank, which is a fully online banking experience. It is ideal for those looking for a second chance because Chime does not check your banking or credit history. This alternative to traditional banking features technology designed to work with your computer, tablet and smartphone. This keeps you connected with your money at all times. You’ll always know where you stand with real-time balance updates and transaction alerts.

We like how there are no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. In fact, Chime wants you to save your money. They offer automatic savings programs to make the savings process as simply as possible.

Chime also offers Fee-Free Overdraft protection. They will cover you up to $100 a month in overdrafts without charging you a fee. The overdraft is simply repaid when you make a deposit.

Chime Mobile Accounts offer early payroll deposit through direct deposit, mobile payments and easy-to-use mobile app features. The online application process is secure and easy.

Open a Chime Bank account today!

Although Bank of the West does look at your ChexSystems history, they offer you a second chance with Fresh Start checking. If it has been one year since your last ChexSystems report, and you have no history of fraud, you won’t have any problem qualifying for a Bank of the West Fresh Start Checking account.

Fresh Start Checking offers:

• Unlimited check writing
• A Bank of the West debit card
• Unlimited Bank of the West ATM access
• Online banking and bill pay
• Mobile banking
• Free bankers-by-phone access

You are required to keep the account open for at least 91 days. There is a $12 service fee. You can apply in person at one of the seven Nevada locations.
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City National Bank gives you a second chance at checking with a Safe Check Account. This account is designed to prevent costly non-sufficient funds fees. Checks and debit transactions are refused if there isn’t enough money in your account. If an overdraft accidentally occurs, you won’t be charged a fee.

Low fees are an added bonus. There is a required opening deposit amount of $25. You aren’t required to maintain a minimum monthly balance. If you have direct deposits totalling $250 or more, your monthly maintenance fee is waived.

All City National Bank accounts feature:

• A City National Visa check card
• Free eStatements
• Free mobile banking
• Free online banking
• First five bill pay transactions for free
• Free telephone banking
• Access to more than 90 branches and ATMs

You can open a City National Bank online or in person. City National Bank has locations in Carson City, Las Vegas, Minden and Reno.
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Credit unions are often willing to help you rebuild your banking relationship. Clark County Credit Union offers Check Again for members with a less-than-perfect checking history. All you need to do is qualify for membership by working for or supporting certain non-profit organizations in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson or Clark County.

You must deposit $50 into savings and $50 into the Check Again account. After 12 months of positive checking balances, you are eligible for a traditional checking account.

CCCU accounts include:

• A CCCU debit card
• Online and mobile banking
• Monthly e-Statements

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GoBank is an online bank perfect for those who have been denied a bank account due to a negative banking history. This bank helps you keep on track by keeping your account readily available at all times.

GoBank is a debit card-only account with an easy-to-use mobile app with mobile deposit. You also receive:

• Early direct deposit for payroll and government deposits
• Convenient online checkbook payments
• Access to 40,000 free ATMs nationwide
• Cash deposits at 100,000 participating retailers nationwide for $4.95

The GoBank application process is very simple. You purchase a GoBank starter kit, go online and complete the activation process. All you need is proof of identity to open the account. Nevada residents can purchase a starter kit at Walgreens, Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid.
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GTE Financial’s Go Further Checking helps you move past your negative checking history. This second chance checking option is available to Nevada residents through an easy online application process.

Designed to build your banking confidence, GTE Financial will automatically upgrade you to a standard checking account after 12 months of successful Go Further Checking. As an added bonus, your $4.95 monthly service fee is waived if you deposit more than $500 a month and make at least 15 transactions.

Go Further Checking includes:

• A free EMV-equipped debit card
• Online and mobile banking
• Free bill pay
• Go Points and Ampre rewards programs
• Popmoney service to transfer money to friends and family

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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:

• ATM fee reimbursements
• Interest and dividend rate payments
• No minimum balance
• No monthly service fees with direct deposit

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OnBudget Banking through Nevada State Bank is a simple solution to getting back on track. Although you can’t write checks or count on overdraft protection, you receive a solid account designed to keep you from hefty banking fees.

All you need to open a OnBudget Banking account is a $50 opening deposit. The low monthly fee of $5 keeps your maintenance costs low. Online banking and e-statements help you avoid the $2.50 paper statement fee.

Some of our favorite OnBudget features include:

• A NSB debit card
• Easy mobile deposits
• Purchase alerts to your phone
• Pop money transfers to friends and family

You can apply online or at a Nevada State Bank location.
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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.
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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

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If you are looking to save money, SoFi Money is our top choice for a non-traditional banking option. We recommend this online money management account to those who are tech savvy. One of the biggest perks is there aren’t any account fees. ATM fees are reimbursed, transfers are free and you have no minimum balance requirements. You don’t even need an initial deposit to set up your account.

SoFi will even pay you through a high-yield interest rate on your checking balance. You can earn a $50 cash bonus if you sign up for SoFi Money® and make one direct deposit of at least $500.

The sign up process takes only a few minutes because SoFi does not use ChexSystems to approve accounts. After opening your account, you receive a SoFi debit Mastercard for use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The easy-to-use mobile app keeps you in control of your money and offers bill pay, money transfers and educational services.
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UNIFY Financial Credit Union understands that sometimes life isn’t perfect. Their Right Start Checking is one of our top picks for second chance checking. UNIFY makes it easy to open a Right Start Account with a $25 opening deposit. There is no minimum balance requirement or monthly service charge.

The Right Start checking account offers:

• A free Visa debit card
• Free online eBanking and eStatements
• Free ePay online bill payment
• No check writing fees
• Fee-free overdraft protection from a connected savings account

UNIFY is a national credit union with hundreds of partners nationwide. If you aren’t associated with a partner company, employer or community, membership is open through a donation to the Surfrider Foundation of the Friends of Hobbs. The online application process is designed to help you find your best membership option.
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US Bank offers you a new start with a Safe Debit Account. Not having check writing abilities is seen as a plus by US Bank. By only offering a debit card, the Safe Debit Account keeps you from accidentally overdrawing your account. If an overdraft does happen, US Bank will not charge you a fee. Your only fee is a $4.95 Safe Debit Account monthly maintenance fee.

The Safe Debit Account features:

• A US Bank Visa debit card
• Online banking and bill pay
• Mobile banking with mobile check deposit
• Discounts on money orders

US Bank also helps you build a better credit future with free access to the TransUnion Creditview Dashboard through your online banking. You can use this financial tool to see your VantageScore 3.0 credit score and see what minor changes in your behaviors can do for your future.

Application is easy through the fast and secure online application. You can also apply in person at one of the multiple US Bank locations in Nevada.
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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.
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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

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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

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WestStar Credit Union allows you to reset your banking history with Fresh Start Checking. This second chance checking option features a high monthly fee of $16.50, but in return, you have no minimum opening deposit amount and no monthly minimum balance. The account fee encourages you to work hard to manage your money. After a year of positive account balance, you can convert your account to free Simple Checking.

Fresh Start Checking includes:

• A free debit Mastercard
• Free online banking and bill pay
• Free eStatements
• Free mobile banking
• Free telephone banking
• Courtesy overdraft services
• Direct deposit

Membership is open to all employees of a qualifying company or any company that is licensed for gaming by Nevada. You can apply online or in a Las Vegas or Reno branch location.
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