Second Chance Banking in Wisconsin

Chime® is a fast-growing internet-only financial company and our top choice for a second chance bank account.

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 the credit bureaus.

Features include mobile deposits, direct deposit, online bill payment, NO monthly or annual fees, NO overdrafts fees¹, NO credit check, and NO CheckSystems. Opening an account is super easy. It takes about 2 minutes and you don’t have to make an initial deposit. Here’s what we like:

No Monthly Fees

For the past couple of years, Chime’s huge growth has come at the expense of the big banks and their outrageous fees. And it’s one of the best features of a Chime account. There are no monthly or annual service charges, no minimum balance requirement, no foreign transaction fees, no fees at over 60,000 ATMs², and no fees for mobile and online bill pay.

Deposit Cash for FREE at Over 8,500 Walgreens

Having access to a physical location for cash deposits is important to Chime members. And now it’s easy. All you have to do is go into a Walgreens store, hand the cashier the cash you want to deposit along with your Chime card, and the deposit will show up in your account immediately. This offers Chime members more walk-in locations than any other bank in the U.S. With over 78% of the country within 5 miles of a Walgreens, this is a significant benefit for millions.³

Smart Technology

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.

You can transfer funds to friends and family, Chime members or not… and they can claim their money instantly⁴ without any additional apps. The Chime app also has a series of notifications that you can turn on or turn off so you stay in complete control. Misplaced or lost your card? You can instantaneously turn off your card using the app. No wonder over 300,000 customers have given the app a 5-star review.

Customers First

Chime was one of the first to offer a “round up” option. If you use your Chime card on a purchase of $10.65, Chime gives you the option of automatically rounding up to $11.00 and putting the remaining $.35 in your free Chime savings account. And that adds up over time! Plus, Chime pays 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)⁵ in interest on that savings account.

If you use direct deposit with your Chime account, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days early⁶. And Chime is just saying no to big bank NSF charges with a fee-free overdraft program up to $200. We don’t think there is another company innovating for their customers like Chime.

Get a Chime Account Today!

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. See additional disclaimers below.

U.S. Bank is the fifth largest bank in the country with the majority of its 2,000+ branches located in 26 states mostly located in the west and midwest. Their new Bank Smartly® Checking account offers a cash bonus up to $400 and comes with some great features:

• A U.S. Bank Visa debit card
• Online banking and bill pay
• Mobile banking with mobile check deposit
• Send money with Zelle®
• Access to U.S. Bank Smart Rewards™ to reap additional benefits
• No NSF charges for overdraft balances under $50
• No ATM fees at U.S. Bank ATMs
• No surcharge fees at 40,000 MoneyPass ATMs
• Member FDIC

To get an account, you’ll need to make an opening deposit of $25. The monthly service fee is $6.95 but can be waived if you maintain a minimum balance of $1,500 or by having a minimum monthly direct deposit of $1,000. You can also avoid the monthly fee if you are 24 and under, 65 and over, or a member of the military.

You can earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account and a Standard Savings account and complete qualifying activities. The offer is subject to certain terms and limitations and is valid through June 20, 2023.

The U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account comes with one of the best mobile apps on the market. Over one million customers have given the app an overall rating of five stars. You can manage your entire account from a computer or your smartphone.

U.S. Bank repeatedly makes the list of one of the best banks in the country.

Open an account today!

Lili was custom made for freelancers and independent contractors who are operating as sole proprietors and single member LLCs and we really like their offering. Lili aims to approve most accounts within 2-3 days, but some accounts are approved in 2-3 hours.

Lili offers a checking account and Visa debit card with no initial deposit or minimum balance requirement, no hidden fees, no credit check, and no ChexSystems. Lili makes getting your account easy! Here’s more of what we like:

• FREE business VISA debit card
• FREE (and very user-friendly) mobile app
• NO minimum balance
• NO NSF charges or fees
• NO credit check or ChexSystems
• Receive direct deposit funds 2 days earlier than many banks
• Mobile check deposit
• Unlimited fee-free transactions
• Takes 3 minutes to apply

Integrated Tools

The Lili smartphone app gives you access to tools to manage your expenses and taxes. You assign a category for each expense by swiping left for “life” or personal expenses and right for “work” or business. You can also add receipts to transactions, download quarterly and annual expense reports, and track spending in real-time. Lili will automatically assign an expense category based on the merchant, but allows you to edit the category as needed.

Robust for Most

Lili is best for small business owners who want a no-frills, no cost, no minimum balance bank account. You can run all your business and personal expenses through the account and can easily identify and separate them out for accounting and tax purposes. After your account is set up, you can add a business name or DBA name to the account. And you manage everything from the touch of your smartphone.

But there are some limits, too. Lili doesn’t offer checks and you can’t set up your account with an employer identification number. Depositing cash at Green Dot locations can cost up to $4.95 and mobile check deposits are limited to $6,000 per month.

Lili Pro

Lili recently announced a new set of features called Lili Pro. The cost is $9 per month and includes a no-fee overdraft up to $200 on debit card purchases and a robust and unlimited invoicing capability built into the smartphone app. On top of that, users receive 2.00% APY on savings account balances and a more robust expense tracking capability. The Pro version also offers cashback when you make purchases at over 14,000 merchants. If you’re not sure you want to sign up for Lili Pro, get Lili Standard (no cost) and you can upgrade later.

Application Process

You can set up an account online. If you’re a freelancer, you should receive approval and account access almost instantly. All others (Sole Proprietor, Single-Member LLC, Multi-Member LLC, General Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, or S Corp) can take a couple of days to get approved. You can fund your account using a mobile check deposit, direct deposit, ACH transfer, or by linking your Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App account.

Lili is open for business. Anyone who is their own boss: a sole proprietor, gigsters (ie. Uber and Lyft drivers), contractors, freelancers, or part-time entrepreneurs – you all qualify! Whether you opt for the fee-free Lili Standard account or the upgraded Lili Pro account, we think you’re going to like the way Lili helps you manage your growing business!

Open a Lili account now!

For many people, having access to a local bank branch is paramount when setting up a checking account. With over 16,000 ATMs and 4,700 branches across the country, the Chase Secure Banking account might be the perfect fit.

Here are some of our favorite features with this account:

• NO credit check
• NO ChexSystems
• NO minimum deposit to open
• NO overdraft fees
• FREE access to over 16,000 Chase ATMs
• FREE Chase Online Bill Pay
• FREE money orders and cashier’s checks

What to Know About the Approval Process

Opening the Chase Secure Banking account has some important qualifiers. First, Chase verifies your name, address, and social security through Experian, but doesn’t pull a credit report or credit score. Chase doesn’t use ChexSystems for this account, but the bank does use Early Warning Services (EWS). Additionally, if you’ve had an account closed by Chase in the past, your application will not be approved. Past account closures can include missteps such as non-payment of fees, excessive overdrafts, or suspected fraud.

Finally, Chase gives you the opportunity to open your new account online or by taking a printable coupon to a branch location. We strongly recommend you apply online as branch locations have been known to use ChexSystems during the approval process.

Highly Rated Mobile App

Available for iOS and Android, the Chase Mobile app offers 24/7 access to your account. The app is highly rated, earning 4.8 stars out of 5 on the App Store and 4.4 stars out of 5 on Google Play.

You can transfer funds, deposit checks, send money with Zelle, set up account alerts and notifications, and lock your card if it’s been lost or stolen.

The app also has incredibly helpful budgeting tools, personalized insights, and the ability to check your credit score for free.

Fees

Chase doesn’t offer overdraft services with this account as you can only spend the money you have available and the account does not include paper checks. You should also know that using non-Chase ATMs can cost from $3.00 to $5.00 per transaction.

Chase Secure Banking carries a $4.95 monthly service fee that cannot be waived. But combined with all the free services and the $100 cash bonus when you use the card for 10 purchases within 60 days, the monthly fee doesn’t pose a problem for most customers. And, you’ll have peace of mind with Chase’s Zero Liability Protection if you detect and report unauthorized transactions.

Banking With A Leader

Chase claims to be involved with 40% of Americans in some way or another. There can be comfort in size, reach, and stability. Chase has all of that and the assurance they will be there for a long, long time.

If you’ve wanted to bank with Chase and wondered if you’d qualify, we think you’re going to be really happy with the Chase Secure Banking account.

Get a Chase Secure Banking account today!

The SoFi Checking & Savings account is offered by SoFi Bank. It’s a checking AND savings account on steroids and we love that. Plus, they don’t use ChexSystems to approve accounts.

You get a debit MasterCard and a very slick smartphone app. You can make deposits, write checks, utilize electronic bill pay, and transfer money. You don’t need to make an opening deposit to get an account and SoFi never charges monthly maintenance fees. You’ll have access to a large and fee-free ATM network along with a generous cashback program.

Using the SoFi direct deposit option unlocks additional benefits. First, if you overspend a bit, SoFi will cover up to $50 with no overdraft fees. Second, you’ll receive a much higher interest amount of 4.20% APY on savings account balances and 2.50% APY on checking account balances. If you decide not to utilize direct deposit, you’ll receive 1.20% APY.

The $275 bonus comes in two parts. When you deposit at least $10, SoFi will credit your account $25. When you set up direct deposit from an employer, SoFi will credit your account up to $250 (depending on the amount of your direct deposit) and bump the interest rate you earn to 4.20% APY. The bonus and interest rate are some of the highest we’ve seen.

The sign-up process can take less than 60 seconds. With over 4 million members, SoFi is a bank you can count on!

SoFi 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 seems to be the perfect bank.

Kevin M., SoFi Customer

Get a SoFi account today!

Want to earn cash back on Walmart purchases – up to $75 each year? Then you might love the Walmart MoneyCard. It’s a debit card that has some strong features such as cashback on Walmart purchases, overdraft protection, interest on your savings, and a mobile app that lets you track your purchases and deposit funds into your account.

Our favorite features include:

• Easy approval: no ChexSystems or credit check
• No initial deposit is required and there are no monthly minimums
• Deposit cash for free at any Walmart store and it shows up 10 minutes later
• Deposit checks using the Walmart MoneyCard smartphone app
• Easily request multiple cards for family use¹
• Manage your account from your computer or the smartphone app
• 3% cashback on Walmart.com purchases, 2% cashback for Walmart fuel stations, and 1% cash back for use in-store²
• Earn 2.00% APY on money you set aside in a free savings account³
• With qualifying direct deposits⁴, you can opt-in and enjoy overdraft protection of up to $200 on eligible purchases⁵
• No monthly fee when you direct deposit $500+ in the previous monthly period. Otherwise, there’s a $5.94 monthly fee.⁶

The Walmart MoneyCard is available in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Open an account today!

Few things are guaranteed in life, but the company behind the Zolve Azpire Credit Builder card is changing that. Part checking account and part credit card, the Azpire card helps customers use their account for everyday purchases and the payments are reported monthly to all three credit bureaus. Here’s what the Azpire account offers:

• No-hassle 2-minute application process
• Apply with SSN, ITIN, or Passport number
• No credit check
• No monthly or annual fees
• No minimum balance and no overdraft fees
• No security deposit
• Free withdrawals at over 67,000 partner ATMs
• Free smartphone app where you can manage your account
• Free international money transfers
• Free rewards and cashback program
• FDIC insured account up to $250,000

How Does The Azpire Credit Builder Card Work?

Getting started is easy. You can add money from an existing checking account, PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or any other account that allows you to transfer money to a bank account. The money you add to your Zolve Account becomes the credit limit on your Azpire card. You then use this for making everyday purchases like any other typical debit card or credit card. You can direct deposit your paycheck or add more money when your account balance gets low.

You’ll never be charged minimum balance or maintenance fees and there are no late fees or interest charges. And, if you use the Azpire card responsibly, you may qualify for a credit card with a limit of up to $5,000 in as little as four months.

The brilliance of the Azpire credit builder card is that it guarantees people will get a credit builder card and an FDIC-insured checking account while also reporting their daily transactions as positive credit-building history to all 3 credit bureaus. No regular checking account can do that. Plus, you get zero liability fraud and theft protection through Mastercard.

Azpire is a great way to give your aspirations a boost!

Get an Azpire account in 2 minutes!

Acorns doesn’t use ChexSystems or a credit report to approve accounts and offers some strong benefits.

We love the heavy metal tungsten Visa debit card and the world-class smartphone app that allows you to manage every aspect of your new checking account such as budgeting, spending, and security.

Another nice option is the ability to round up on every purchase and Acorns will take that money and automatically put it in a savings account. This really helps build a nest egg.

It takes about 2-3 minutes to sign up and you get both a checking and savings account. Here’s more:

• FREE Visa® debit card
• FREE bank-to-bank transfers
• FREE physical check sending online or through the mobile app
• FREE mobile check deposits
• FREE or reimbursed ATM withdrawals nationwide
• NO minimum balance or overdraft fees
• NO credit check; ChexSystems OK
• FDIC insured

There is a $3 monthly fee that is easily covered by the ATM fee reimbursement and other goodies included with the account.

If you’ve struggled with poor credit or ChexSystems, Acorns might be the perfect account.

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If you’ve had troubles in the past managing a checking account, Brewery Credit Union has you covered with their Fresh Start Checking account. This second chance account provides you with most features you’d find in a traditional account and can help you reestablish yourself in the banking system.

Fresh Start Checking comes with unlimited check writing, ATM or debit card access, online banking, and overdraft protection services. It’s important to note that direct deposit is required with this account. To get started, all that you will need is $100 for the opening deposit and $6.50 each month for the monthly service fee.

Brewery CU extends membership to anyone who lives or works in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, or Kenosha Counties. If you’re not eligible based on your location, you can also join by becoming a member of the Museum of Beer and Brewing! Their locations can be found in Milwaukee for your convenience.

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Crossbridge Community Bank is located in Wisconsin and provides an alternative type of checking account called Fresh Start Checking. It is designed for consumers who have experienced banking challenges in the past and need access to a checking account while improving their financial standing.

Opening a Fresh Start Checking account requires a deposit of at least $50. In addition, there is a one-time $10 account set-up fee. The monthly maintenance cost for an account is $10. All account holders can opt-in to receive eStatements as an alternative to paper mail. Mobile banking is also available through a mobile app, mobile web access, or text messaging.

Visit Crossbridge Community Bank to open a Fresh Start Checking account. The bank has branches in Tomahawk and Merrill for your convenience.

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Current is another web-only national bank that has some really great features… and has become one of the fastest-growing checking accounts for consumers who want it all without all the costs and hassles.

Why are we featuring Current on our website? It’s simple: they don’t use ChexSystems or your credit report to open a new account. Sign-up takes about 2 minutes and Current has extremely high acceptance rates. But what’s really cool are the incredible features offered with this account:

• NO minimum balance
• NO deposit required to open an account
• NO overdraft fees when you overdraw by up to $100 with Overdrive™
• NO fees at over 40,000 ATMs in the U.S.
• Get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit
• Earn 4.0% APY on your balance up to $6,000 with direct deposit; earn 0.25% APY without
• Earn points for unlimited cashback at participating retailers
• Send money instantly for free
• An elegant but simple smartphone app
• 24/7 member support

Current offers a really unique service it calls Gas Hold Removals. What’s a gas hold? Some gas stations may apply a hold from $50 to $100 when you use a debit card to pump gas. If you only pumped $10 of gas, but the gas station places a $100 hold on your funds, you won’t have access to the $90 difference for up to 3 business days! The Current debit card will immediately refund the hold so you have access to all your funds. We haven’t found that benefit anywhere in the marketplace.

Here’s what’s really important, though. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to the highest possible amount allowed: $250,000. We love the features, we love the smartphone app, and we love Current. That makes us think you’ll love them too.

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Dupaco Community Credit Union is another great example of a bank that utilizes a credit report in lieu of ChexSystems when verifying new accounts. If your credit score is intact and there aren’t too many negative entries, you should be able to get an account.

We recommend their Free Checking if you tend to keep an account balance of less than $5000. All that is needed to get started with the account is a $50 opening deposit. After that, you won’t need to worry about any monthly service charges or minimum balance requirements. You also get access to nice benefits including unlimited check writing, a free MasterCard debit card, and online banking access.

Dupaco Community CU is mostly Iowa-based, but they offer services to those living or working in Crawford, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, and Sauk Counties. When you apply, you will need to deposit $25 into a savings account to establish membership. You can find their Wisconsin branch located in Platteville.

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First American Bank currently has a second chance bank account known as Fresh Start Checking. This account is great for those getting back on their feet because it requires no minimum balance. However, they do require $50 to open and charge a recurring monthly service fee of $9.95

Fresh Start Checking is a great choice because it lays out a defined path of how you can return to normal status in as little as 12 months. If you are able to maintain your account in good standing over a period of a year, you can upgrade to a standard checking account.

The benefits of an upgraded checking account are online banking, mobile access, and fee-free ATMs around the state. First American Bank has three branches located in Kenosha and Salem.

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If you want a no-frills checking account, we really like the Free Checking account from First Citizens Bank. With 18 locations in Wisconsin, First Citizens gives you convenient access to branch locations and free ATMs.

The account comes with a Visa debit card, digital banking, and 24/7 mobile deposits. There’s no minimum balance and no monthly fees if you’re enrolled in paperless statements.

The Free Checking account allows you to send and receive money with Zelle® between friends, family, and people you trust no matter where they bank in the U.S. You can also link your debit card to digital wallets like Apple Pay® and Samsung Pay®.

Setting up an account is easy and you will need to make a $50 minimum initial deposit to get started.

Open an account today!

If you have a negative entry on your ChexSystems report, First National Bank gives you the tools you need to rebuild your finances. Their Renew Checking only requires a minimum opening deposit of $25 and a monthly service fee of $7.95 if you’re enrolled in direct deposit.

Designed to help you move into a standard checking account after 12 months, Renew Checking is a convenient checking choice. Your debit Mastercard is in your hand immediately upon opening an account in-person at a branch. You can use it to make purchases everywhere Mastercard is accepted, earn rewards points, and withdraw money from over 70,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

First National’s Renew Checking also includes:

• Free online banking
• Free bill pay
• Free eStatements
• Free mobile banking and mobile banking app
• 24-hour telebank access

Visit a branch nearest you in cities including Beloit, Clinton, Delavan, Darien, Elkhorn, Janesville, and many others!

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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 secured credit card, which has no annual fee and no 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 4.50% on all money in the savings vault up to $5,000.

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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

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If you have a negative history with ChexSystems as well as a less-than-perfect credit report, Marine Credit Union offers a solution. They pull a TransUnion credit report when you apply, but also offer a Credit Builder Checking account to those who don’t qualify for a traditional account.

Credit Builder Checking is extremely affordable with only a $5 monthly service charge and a $55 opening deposit requirement. You will also get unlimited ATM access, online banking with bill pay, and a debit card. They also have several helpful articles on their website that can provide some valuable insight on how to build and manage your credit.

To become a member of Marine CU, you can visit their website to get started or one of their Wisconsin branches located in cities including Racine, Sheboygan, Monroe, Platteville, Lancaster, Dodgeville, and several others.

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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:

• Free mobile deposits
• Free bill pay
• Free traditional name-only checks
• Dividends credited monthly

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NorthOne is a fast-growing company built specifically around business banking solutions for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. In addition to streamlining the application process, NorthOne doesn’t check your credit and doesn’t use ChexSystems. Here’s a recap:

• FREE business Mastercard debit card
• FREE access at over 40,000 ATMs nationwide
• FREE online and mobile app
• FREE live chat (not a chatbot), telephone, or email support
• FREE in-app invoice creator
• NO minimum monthly balance requirement
• NO NSF fees
• NO ACH transfer fees
• NO credit check or ChexSystems

Banking Services

NorthOne doesn’t require a minimum account balance and charges a $10 monthly fee that includes unlimited transactions in your account. These include ACH payments, bill pay, debit card usage, mobile deposits, and transfers. The only other fee is $15 for wire transfers.

You can also grant read-only access to employees or your accountant or bookkeeper. This keeps your account safe while also giving access to those who need it.

Application Process

NorthOne targets account approvals within one to two business days. Information required to open an account includes name, address, and social security number or tax identification number. If applicable, NorthOne may ask for a copy of your business license and business formation documents. After you’re approved, you’ll need to make a $50 minimum opening deposit.

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One of the most important steps to taking your business to the next level is the need to set up a business bank account. And if you get the right business account, it can give your growing business all the tools much larger businesses enjoy… without all the big business costs.

Novo understands small business owners and makes it easy to open and manage an account. As an online-only bank, you’ll find Novo strikes the right balance between technology, human touch, and real-world benefits. Here are some of our favorite features for Novo Business Checking:

• NO monthly fees
• NO minimum balance requirement
• NO ATM fees
• NO credit check or ChexSystems
• FREE Mastercard debit card
• FREE mobile app
• FREE transfers, mailed checks, and incoming wires
• FREE invoicing to create, send, and track invoices
• FREE mobile check deposit

Application Process

It takes about 10 minutes to sign up for a Novo account. You’ll need personal and business information, which may include a social security number, business tax ID, and business formation documents. They do not check your credit or use ChexSystems.

Novo is growing quickly. Their offering is popular with small business owners. The account approval process is currently taking 1-2 business days and once you’re approved, you can get full access to your account with a simple $50 deposit.

We like Novo. We think you’ll like it, too.

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If you’re looking for a true second chance checking account, look no further than Park City Credit Union. They offer their Right Now Checking account to anyone who does not qualify for a traditional account.

This bare-bones account comes with a debit card, access to online banking, and a low $4.95 monthly service fee. Unfortunately, they have limited information listed on their website about the specifics of the account, but a representative at one of their branches should be able to fill you in on the details.

Park City CU offers membership to those who live, work, or own land in Langlade, Rusk, Forest, Taylor, Vilas, Price, Iron, Oneida, Marathon, and Lincoln Counties. Visit their website or stop by one of their branches located in Merrill, Tomahawk, Rhinelander, and Minocqua to see if you qualify!

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R.I.A. Federal Credit Union utilizes your credit report in lieu of ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS. If your credit report doesn’t show too many negative entries, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get an account.

Out of their several different account options, we like Basic Checking the best. This account is a simple, low-cost way to manage your money. With a low opening deposit of $25, you will get access to online banking with bill pay as well as a MasterCard debit card. You also have the ability to write 40 checks per month free of charge.

R.I.A. FCU offers membership to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Carroll County. You can also join if you work for one of their select employee groups or are a relative of a current member. Their Wisconsin branches are located in Fort McCoy and Tomah for your convenience.

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We like Taylor Credit Union because they do not use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or a credit report when you apply for a checking account. Instead, they require that you present two forms of ID, one of which must be government-issued. You also cannot owe any money to Taylor CU in order to be approved.

Their Flex Checking account is the simplest option with no monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirements. You’ll also get a free Visa check/debit card, access to online banking, and free eStatements each month.

To become a member at Taylor CU, you must live or work in Clark, Marathon, Lincoln, Price, or Taylor Counties. You can also join if you live or work within a 25-mile radius of Medford, or if you have a family member who is already an account holder. Visit their website or one of their branches in Medford and Abbotsford to apply!

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Tomahawk Community Bank is a great option for those who have experienced previous banking challenges and are looking to get back on track. Their Second Chance Checking account comes with all the basics while helping you rebuild a positive banking history.

To open the account, all that is required is a $10 account set-up fee as well as a $50 opening deposit. It’s important to note that this account does have a minimum balance of $50 if you want to avoid additional fees. There is also a recurring $10 service charge each month.

If you use the account responsibly for 12 consecutive months, you may be eligible to upgrade to a standard checking account! To apply, you will need to contact a branch. They’re located in Tomahawk and Merrill.

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UW Credit Union of Wisconsin offers a fresh start checking account for consumers who may have had financial challenges in the past. The Encore Account is designed to make it easier to rebuild your finances while meeting all your money goals.

There is no required opening deposit for the Encore Account. A monthly fee of $5 is applied for maintenance if you use direct deposit or have a mobile deposit at least once every four months. If that isn’t the case, the fee is $10 monthly. The account has no minimum balance, and overdrafts are not allowed to keep fees low. In addition, Encore Account holders have 24/7 mobile and online account access.

After successfully keeping an Encore Account for a year, account holders can upgrade to a Clear Account or Rewards Checking Account. Applying for the checking account can be done online or at physical branches in the greater Madison and Milwaukee areas.

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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.

Opening an account is easy and Varo doesn’t check your credit or use ChexSystems. Varo doesn’t even require an initial deposit to open an account, either. There are never any monthly maintenance fees, account balance minimums, overdraft fees, foreign transaction fees, transfer fees, or debit card replacement fees.

Varo’s recent bank charter has them innovating more than ever. They have a very strong cashback program, a payroll advance option, and have started to offer their customers a secured credit card called Varo Believe.

Finally, if Varo receives a payroll notification before your payday, it can deposit your money more quickly than many banks.

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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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WESTconsin Credit Union offers various checking account options for citizens of Wisconsin. Those who have had financial trouble in the past can choose the Foundations Checking account for banking tailored toward better banking habits. No minimum balance is required, and the monthly account fee is only $4.

With the Foundations Checking account, there are no per-item charges to cut down on fees. This account is debit only and does not use checks, offering a modern and tech-first experience. Direct deposit and automatic payment transfers are available, and account information is available on computers, phones, and tablets.

To set up a Foundations Checking account, feel free to visit one of the branch locations in Northwestern Wisconsin. The counties WESTconsin CU serves include Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau, and Washburn.

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