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Getting a bank account is an important step in re-establishing credit. Most (if not all) creditors will require you to have a bank account before granting you a card. When applying for credit cards, you are asked if you have a checking and/or savings account. Answering “NO” could potentially hurt your chances of getting the card.

Keep in mind, there are several ways to live without a bank account. However, the reason you are here is to help rebuild credit and not necessarily live without it. Therefore, this article is providing tips on opening a bank account and getting a secure card rather than using pre-paid cards and living without an account.

Do not expect the greatest terms with second chance bank accounts. They are expensive. Often the second chance accounts have monthly fees that cannot be waived or are a little higher for the same benefits a normal account. Make sure to check with the banker for the most updated terms on second chance accounts.

If you are concerned about fees associated with the account and/or being able to maintain a minimum balance, TRY to save enough cash to give yourself a cushion in your bank account. Check which bank account suits you best out of the accounts listed. For example, some banks will not charge you as long as you maintain a minimum balance. Save until you have that minimum balance. DO NOT SPEND THIS MONEY! Although this might be tough try keep that money in the account to avoid fees.

Check out tips for creating a budget as well and start a savings account. Use your new checking and savings account as your spring board to getting back on track. Once you have enough money in your savings account apply for a secure credit card and you can send a small deposit.

Bank Account for Bad Credit (Second Chance Accounts)

Bad Credit (Second Chance) Checking Accounts

List of Bad Credit (Second Chance) Checking Accounts by State
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONACCOUNT NAMELOCATIONS
NATIONWIDE
Green Dot BankGoBankOnline and at Wal-Mart stores
Wells FargoOpportunity Checking40 states and DC
REGIONAL
Appalachian Community Federal Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingKY, TN, VA
Bank of the OzarksPathway CheckingAL, AR, CA, FL, GA, NC, NY, SC, TX
BBVA CompassEasy CheckingAL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, NM, TX
Centennial BankOpportunity 100 CheckingAL, AR, FL
City National BankBounce Back CheckingKY, OH, VA, WV
CommonWealth One Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingDC, MD, PA, VA
Corporate America Family Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAZ, CA, CT, GA, IL, KS, NC, OH, PA, TX, VA
Energery One Federal Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingCA, GA, OK, TX
Farmers and Merchants State BankClean Start CheckingIN, MI, OH
GenFed FinancialNew Start CheckingIL, IN, OH
HomeStreet BankBank On CheckingAZ, CA, HI, ID, OR, UT, WA
Hope Credit UnionEasy CheckingAR, LA, MS, TN
InTouch Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingMI, NV, TN, TX, VA
Landmark BankRebound CheckingMO, OK, TX
MainSource BankFresh Start CheckingIL, IN, KY, OH
OneUnited BankU2 CheckingCA, FL, MA
Park Community Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAL, IN, KY
PNC BankFoundation CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability in the following states; AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, VA, WI, WV
Premier BankStartFresh CheckingDC, MD, VA, WV
Republic BankChecking BuilderFL, IN, KY, OH, TN
Staley Credit UnionRenew CheckingIL, IN, TN
Webster BankOpportunity CheckingCT, NY, RI
Western Federal Credit UnionRight Start CheckingAR, CA, CO, IN, KY, MI, MS, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV
Woodforest National BankSecond Chance CheckingAL, FL, GA, KY, IL, LA, MD, MS, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WV
ALABAMA[↑]
Alabama Credit UnionOn-Track CheckingAlso in FL
Avadian Credit Unione-Checking
Azalea City Credit UnionOpportunity Draft
Community Bank & TrustSecond Slice CheckingAlso in GA
Family Security Credit UnionGive Me a Break Checking
First National BankCredit Builder AccountAlso in TN
Guardian Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
United BankGateway CheckingAlso in FL
West Alabama BankFresh Start Checking
ALASKA[↑]
True North Federal Credit UnionTrue Options Checking
ARIZONA[↑]
Alhambra Credit UnionBasic Checking
Bank of ArizonaOpportunity Checking
Banner Federal Credit UnionOpportunity Checking
Canyon State Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
MariSol Federal Credit UnionBasic Checking
Pima Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
TruWest Credit UnionOpportunity CheckingAlso in TX
Tucson Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Tucson Old Pueblo Credit UnionMission Checking
ARKANSAS[↑]
Bank of ArkansasOpportunity Checking
Diamond BankEncore CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
Fairfield Community Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is no longer listed on their site. Check with a banker about availability.
Focus BankFresh Start CheckingAlso in MO
Red River Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in TX
River Valley Community Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
CALIFORNIA[↑]
Alliance Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in NC
Allied Healthcare Federal Credit UnionHealthy Start Checking
Alta Vista Credit UnionOpportunity Checking
American United Federal Credit UnionFreshStart CheckingAlso in UT
E-Central Credit UnionE-Builder Checking
Foothill Credit UnionRebound Checking
Heritage Community Credit Union2nd Chance Checking
Kaiperm North Bay Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Kern Federal Credit UnionkFresh Start Checking
Los Angeles Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Mid Cities Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
North County Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Pacific Community Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Premier America Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in TX
Priority One Credit UnionNew Leaf Checking
University Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Ventura County Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.

COLORADO[↑]
Colorado State Bank and TrustOpportunity Checking
Liberty Savings BankClean Slate CheckingAlso in FL
Metrum Community Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
NuVista Federal Credit Union2nd Chance Checking
CONNECTICUT[↑]
Eastern Savings BankRestart Checking
Finex Credit UnionRe-Start Checking
Hartford Federal Credit Union2nd Chance Checking
Tobacco Valley Teachers Federal Credit UnionmyChance Checking (Draft)
DELAWARE[↑]
WSFS BankFresh Start CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA[↑]
None Found
FLORIDA[↑]
Alabama Credit UnionOn-Track CheckingAlso in AL
Axiom BankOpportunity Checking
CenterState BankFresh Start Checking
Central Credit Union of FloridaFresh Start Checking
City County Employees Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Community First Credit Union
Fresh Start Checking
Compass Financial Federal Credit UnionRestart Checking
First American BankFresh Start CheckingAlso in IL
First Florida Credit UnionSmart Track Checking
Gold Coast Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Gulf Winds Federal Credit UnionMyOpportunity Checking
Jax Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
JetStream Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingAlso in Puerto Rico
Liberty Savings BankClean Slate CheckingAlso in CO
McCoy Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
MembersFirst Credit Union of FloridaSecond Chance Checking
Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
One South BankOpportunity Checking
Priority One Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
South Florida Federal Credit UnionAnother Chance Checking
GEORGIA[↑]
Atlanta Federal Credit Union
Second Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
Community Bank & Trust ("Red Apple")Second Slice CheckingAlso in AL
Doco Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Excel Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Georgia United Credit UnionRestart Checking
Georgia's Own Credit UnionResolution Checking
Health Center Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Members United Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Peach State Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
HAWAII[↑]
None Found
IDAHO[↑]
Scenic Falls Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
ILLINOIS[↑]
Catholic & Community Credit UnionRebound Checking
First American BankFresh Start CheckingAlso in FL
First Eagle BankFresh Start Checking
First National Bank and Trust CompanyRenew CheckingAlso in WI
Great Lakes Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Marquette BankReStart Checking
Prairieland Federal Credit UnionNot Your Normal Checking2
Rock Valley Credit UnionBasic Checking
INDIANA[↑]
Centra Credit UnionOpportunity Checking
Diamond Valley Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit UnionET Opportunity CheckingAlso in KY
Heritage Federal Credit Union2nd Chance Checking
Interra Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in MI
Interra Credit UnionOpportunity Checking
One Vision Federal Credit UnionRising Star Checking
Regional Federal Credit UnionFirst Step Checking
IOWA[↑]
Collins Community Credit UnionTake2 Checking
Federation BankFresh Start Checking
Greater Iowa Credit UnionSecond-chance Checking
North Iowa Community Credit UnionFresh Start Debit
KANSAS[↑]
Central National BankNew Opportunity CheckingAlso in NE
United Consumers Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingAlso in MO
National Bank of Kansas CityFreshStart CheckingAlso in MO
KENTUCKY[↑]
C-Plant Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
The Cecilian BankChoice Opportunity Checking
Central BankClean Start Checking
Citizens Union BankSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is no longer listed on their site. Check with a banker about availability.
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit UnionET Opportunity CheckingThis bank account is no longer listed on their site. Check with a banker about availability.
First United Bank & Trust CompanyFresh Start Checking
FNB BankSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
Fort Knox Federal Credit Unionk
2nd Chance Checking
Home Federal BankSquare One CheckingAlso in TN
LOUISIANA[↑]
Neighbors Federal Credit UnionBasic CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
Pelican State Credit Union
Horizon Checking
Southwest Louisiana Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
MAINE[↑]
Five County Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
MARYLAND[↑]
Central Credit Union of MarylandRenew Checking
Clear Mountain BankStartFresh CheckingAlso in WV
Market USA Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Security Plus Federal Credit Union
Revive Checking
MASSACHUSETTS[↑]
Alden Credit UnionNo Boundaries Checking
Athol Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Tremont Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
Washington Savings BankRewards Card Checking
MICHIGAN[↑]
Credit Union OneBasic Checking
Horizon BankFresh Start CheckingAlso in IN
Marshall Community Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Members First Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Michigan State University Federal Credit UnionRebuild Checking
MINNESOTA[↑]
Eagle Bank Start Fresh Checking
Minnesota Valley Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Peoples Community Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Westconsin Credit UnionFoundations CheckingAlso in WI
MISSISSIPPI[↑]
Citizens National BankClean Slate Checking
Gulf Coast Community Credit UnionNew Chance Checking
Magnolia Federal Credit UnionOpportunity Checking
MUNA Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
MISSOURI[↑]
Alliance Credit UnionFreshStart Checking
Bank of Kansas CityOpportunity Checking
The Bank of MissouriSelect 2 Checking
Columbia Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Electro Savings Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
First State Community BankNew Opportunity Checking
Focus BankFresh Start CheckingAlso in AR
Health Care Family Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Montgomery BankMontgomery New Start Checking
NBKC Bank (National Bank of Kansas City)FreshStart CheckingAlso in KS
St. Johns BankFresh Start Checking
St. Louis Community Credit Union
Freedom Checking
Town & Country BankOpportunity Checking
United Consumers Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingAlso in KS
United Credit UnionSecond Chance CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
Vantage Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingThis bank account is no longer listed on their site. Check with a banker about availability.
Wood & Huston BankStartFresh Checking
MONTANA[↑]
Valley Federal Credit UnionOpportunity CheckingAlso in WY
NEBRASKA[↑]
Central National BankSecond Chance CheckingAlso in KS
Western Heritage Credit Union
Simple and Free CheckingThis bank account is not listed as a second chance account on the site. Check with a banker about qualifications
NEVADA[↑]
Clark County Credit UnionCheckAgain Checking
One Nevada Credit UnionNew Start Checking
WestStar Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
NEW HAMPSHIRE[↑]
None Found
NEW NEW JERSEY[↑]
Atlantic Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Credit Union of New JerseyRight Turn Checking
Jersey Shore Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
United Teletech Financial Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
NEW MEXICO[↑]
Bank of AlbuquerqueOpportunity Checking
Lea County State BankSecond Chance Checking
NEW YORK [↑]
Alternatives Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Financial Trust Federal Credit Union2nd Chance Checking
Fulton Savings BankNew Opportunity Checking
Genesee Valley Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Jeff BankFresh Start Checking
UFirst Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
NORTH CAROLINA[↑]
American Partners Federal Credit UnionEZ 4 U Checking
Charlotte Metro Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
NORTH DAKOTA[↑]
None Found
OHIO[↑]
Buckeye State Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Chaco Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Cheviot Savings BankClean Slate Personal Checking
Eaton Family Credit Union, Inc.2nd Chance Checking
Hopewell Federal Credit UnionRebound Checking
IHECU (International Harvester Employee Credit Union, Inc.)Fresh Start Checking
Kemba Financial Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Members Trust Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Sun Federal Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in PA
Superior Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking

OKLAHOMA[↑]
Allegiance Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Bank of OklahomaOpportunity Checking
Citizens Bank of EdmondFresh Start Checking
Oklahoma Educators Credit Union Fresh Start Checking
Oklahoma Employees Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
TTCU The Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Weokie (Credit Union)Second Chance Checking
Western Sun Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
OREGON[↑]
Point West Credit Union
Fresh Start Checking
PENNSYLVANIA[↑]
Allegent Community Federal Credit UnionkFresh Start Checking
Erie Community Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Sun Federal Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in OH
Utilities Employees Credit UnionAdvantages Green Light Checking
West Branch Valley Federal Credit UnionBack on Track Checking Account
RHODE ISLAND[↑]
None Found
SOUTH CAROLINA[↑]
Carolina Collegiate Federal Credit UnionRebound Checking
Carolina Trust Federal Credit UnionEncore Checking
GAFCU (Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union)Fresh Start Checking
Vital Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
SOUTH DAKOTA[↑]
None Found
TENNESSEE[↑]
First National BankCredit Builder AccountAlso in AL
Greater Eastern Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Holston Methodist Federal Credit UnionSecond-chance Checking
Home Federal BankSquare One CheckingAlso in KY
Select Seven Credit UnionSecond Chance Sharedraft Checking
TEXAS[↑]
Abilene Teachers Federal Credit UnionRestart Checking
Air Force Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Allied Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
American Airlines Credit UnionAscend Checking
Associated Credit Union of Texas180 Checking
Bank of TexasOpportunity Checking
Baptist Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Chocolate Bayou Community Federal Credit UnionClean Slate Checking
First Service Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Houston Metropolitan Federal Credit UnionFreedom-2nd Chance Checking
Kelly Community Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Las Colinas Federal Credit Union2nd Chance Checking
MemberSource Credit UnionSelect Checking
Members Trust Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Memorial Credit UnionNew Path Checking
Nascoga Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Neighborhood Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
North East Texas Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Peoples BankSecond Chance Checking
Postel Family Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Premier America Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in CA
Prestige Community Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Red River Credit UnionFresh Start CheckingAlso in AR
Rio BankFresh Start Checking
Select Federal Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Southside BankNext Checking
Tarrant County's Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Texas People Federal Credit UnionOpportunity Checking
TruWest Credit UnionOpportunity CheckingAlso in AZ
United Heritage Credit UnionChoice Checking
Unity One Credit UnionClean Start Checking
Velocity Credit UnionAccess Checking
UTAH[↑]
American United Federal Credit UnionFreshStart CheckingAlso in CA
Cyprus Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
VERMONT[↑]
None Found
VIRGINIA [↑]
Healthcare Systems Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Checking
Member One Federal Credit UnionSmart Choice Checking
PortAlliance Federal Credit UnionSmart Choice Checking
Central Virginia Federal Credit UnionFresh Start
WASHINGTON[↑]
MountainCrest Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Salal Credit UnionPathway CheckingThis bank account is not listed on the site. Check with a banker about availability.
WEST VIRGINIA [↑]
Clear Mountain BankkStartFresh CheckingAlso in MD
West Virginia Federal Credit Union
Fresh Start Checking
WISCONSIN [↑]
Brewery Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Dane County Credit UnionRelationship Builder Checking
Educators Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
First National Bank and Trust CompanyRenew CheckingAlso in IL
Schneider Community Credit UnionFresh Start Checking
Tomahawk Community BankFresh Start Checking
WYOMING[↑]
Greater Wyoming Federal Credit UnionFreshStart Checking
WyHy Federal Credit UnionSecond Chance Share Draft Checking
WYO Central Federal Credit Union2nd Chance Checking
Valley Federal Credit UnionOpportunity CheckingAlso in MT