- Chime, Capital One, and SoFi are among the most fee-friendly options, all offering second chance or ChexSystems-flexible checking with no monthly fees.
- Capital One doesn’t use ChexSystems at all when screening applicants, and hasn’t since 2014.
- Several accounts, including Chime, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase, decline transactions instead of charging overdraft fees, which helps prevent the exact issue that often leads to a ChexSystems record.
- Monthly fees on the accounts that charge them typically range from $4.95 to $8.95, and most can be waived with direct deposit or by meeting simple account activity requirements.
- Wells Fargo is one of the only top 10 U.S. banks by deposits to offer an actual second chance checking product, making it a solid pick if you want in-person branch access.
- Every account on this list gives you core checking features: a debit card, direct deposit, ATM access, and online or mobile banking.
If you’ve been denied a checking account because of your ChexSystems history, you still have solid options. Several banks either skip the ChexSystems check entirely or offer accounts built specifically for people rebuilding their banking history, and many come with genuinely competitive features: no monthly fees, no overdraft charges, and large fee-free ATM networks.
This roundup covers 10 of the best second chance checking accounts available right now, what makes each one worth considering, and how to figure out which one fits your situation.
How We Picked These Accounts
We evaluated second chance checking accounts based on a few key factors that matter most for someone rebuilding their banking history.
ChexSystems Policy
We prioritized accounts that either skip ChexSystems entirely or use more flexible approval standards, since that’s the primary barrier this list is meant to solve.
Earn Bonus Cash: Earn up to a $400 cash bonus and up to a 4.00% APY when opening a checking and savings account.
Monthly Fees and How Easy They Are to Waive
Accounts with no fee ranked highest, followed closely by accounts with a fee that’s simple to waive through direct deposit or basic account activity.
Overdraft Policy
We favored accounts that decline transactions instead of approving them with a fee, since that structure helps prevent the exact kind of negative balance that often leads to a ChexSystems record in the first place.
Access and Features
We looked at ATM networks, branch availability, mobile banking tools, and any additional features like early direct deposit or interest earned, since a second chance account should still function as a real, usable checking account.
Path To a Standard Account
Where available, we noted whether a bank offers a clear route to graduate to a standard checking account after a period of responsible use.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of every second chance account available, but it reflects a strong mix of online-only and traditional bank options across a range of fee structures and access needs.
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Chime
Chime doesn’t use ChexSystems at all when screening new applicants, which makes it one of the more accessible options if you’ve been denied elsewhere. There’s no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no minimum opening deposit.
- Monthly fee: None
- ChexSystems policy: Not used
- Standout features: Fee-free overdraft coverage up to $200 for eligible members (SpotMe), access to more than 50,000 fee-free ATMs, early direct deposit
- Best for: Anyone who wants a completely free, fully online account with strong overdraft flexibility
Pros and Cons
Capital One 360 Checking
Technically not marketed as a “second chance” account, but functionally one of the best options available. Capital One stopped using ChexSystems to screen applicants back in 2014, so a rocky banking history won’t stand in your way here.
- Monthly fee: None
- ChexSystems policy: Not used
- Standout features: No minimums of any kind, pays a small amount of interest (around 0.10% APY), access to Capital One branches and cafes for in-person banking
- Best for: People who want a full-featured account without the “second chance” label, plus occasional in-person access
Pros and Cons
SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi combines checking and savings into one account, and it comes with a genuinely competitive rate on the savings side for a second chance-friendly option.
- Monthly fee: None
- ChexSystems policy: Flexible approval standards
- Standout features: No overdraft fees, no minimum balance, access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint network, up to 3.30% APY on savings with direct deposit set up
- Best for: Someone who wants to combine checking and savings while also earning a competitive rate
Pros and Cons
PNC Simple Checking
PNC’s Simple Checking account is Bank On certified, meaning it meets national standards for being low-cost and consumer-friendly. It’s a solid pick if you want a traditional bank with branch access.
- Monthly fee: $5, waived with a qualifying direct deposit, or automatically waived for account holders under 25 or 62 and older
- ChexSystems policy: More flexible approval standards
- Standout features: No overdraft fees, no minimum balance requirement, no minimum deposit to open online, includes mobile check deposit and Zelle
- Best for: People who want a major traditional bank with a straightforward fee waiver
Pros and Cons
Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking
Wells Fargo is one of the only banks in the top 10 U.S. banks by deposits that offers an actual second chance checking product, which makes it a standout if you want the branch network of a major national bank.
- Monthly fee: $5, waived for account holders under 24
- ChexSystems policy: Second chance account specifically designed for applicants with a ChexSystems record
- Standout features: No overdraft fees since transactions are declined rather than approved, no paper checks (by design, to help prevent overdrafts), access to Wells Fargo’s large branch and ATM network
- Best for: Anyone who wants in-person banking at a major national bank while rebuilding their history
Pros and Cons
Chase Secure Banking
Chase Secure Banking is built specifically as a second chance product, and it’s one of the few accounts on this list that currently offers a cash bonus for new customers.
- Monthly fee: $4.95, waived for account holders under 25 or with qualifying electronic deposits totaling $250 or more each statement period
- ChexSystems policy: Second chance account, more lenient approval standards
- Standout features: No overdraft fees, access to over 15,000 Chase ATMs and 4,700 branches, a $175 new account bonus after completing 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days (offer subject to change)
- Best for: People who want the largest branch and ATM network among traditional banks, plus a shot at a signup bonus
Pros and Cons
Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking
Bank of America’s second chance option requires a modest opening deposit but comes with the reassurance of a major, well-established bank behind it.
- Monthly fee: $4.95, waived if you meet certain criteria, such as being a student or maintaining a qualifying balance
- ChexSystems policy: Available to applicants with negative ChexSystems marks
- Standout features: Only a $25 minimum deposit to open, no overdraft fees since transactions are declined or returned unpaid instead, includes a debit card and mobile wallet access
- Best for: Someone who wants a traditional bank account with a low barrier to entry
Pros and Cons
GO2bank
GO2bank is the mobile-first checking account from Green Dot Bank, built for straightforward, low-cost banking without branches.
- Monthly fee: $5, waived with a qualifying direct deposit
- ChexSystems policy: Not typically a barrier to approval
- Standout features: No minimum balance or opening deposit requirement, mobile check deposit, early access to direct deposit funds
- Best for: People who want a simple, mobile-only account with an easy fee waiver
Pros and Cons
Varo
Varo is a fully online bank built around accessibility, with a second chance-friendly approach and no hidden account fees.
- Monthly fee: None
- ChexSystems policy: Flexible approval standards
- Standout features: No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, early direct deposit, access to a large fee-free ATM network
- Best for: Anyone who wants a no-fee, no-minimum account with a straightforward online experience
Pros and Cons
Woodforest National Bank
Woodforest specifically markets a second chance account and has a large physical footprint, often located inside Walmart stores, which makes it a convenient option in areas without many other branch banks nearby.
- Monthly fee: Varies by account tier
- ChexSystems policy: Second chance account designed for applicants with a troubled banking history
- Standout features: Over 700 branch locations, many inside Walmart stores, in-person account opening and support
- Best for: People who want in-person banking access in areas where major banks have limited branch presence
Pros and Cons
Best Second Chance Checking Accounts Compared
| Bank | Monthly Fee | ChexSystems Policy | Overdraft Fees | Best For |
| Chime | None | Not used | None (SpotMe up to $200) | Fully online, no-fee banking |
| Capital One 360 Checking | None | Not used since 2014 | None | Full-featured account without the “second chance” label |
| SoFi Checking and Savings | None | Flexible | None | Combining checking and high-yield savings |
| PNC Simple Checking | $5 (waivable) | Flexible | None | Traditional bank with easy fee waiver |
| Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking | $5 (waivable under 24) | Second chance product | None | Major bank with branch access |
| Chase Secure Banking | $4.95 (waivable) | Second chance product | None | Largest branch/ATM network, signup bonus |
| Bank of America SafeBalance | $4.95 (waivable) | Available for ChexSystems marks | None | Low $25 opening deposit |
| GO2bank | $5 (waivable) | Not typically a barrier | Varies | Simple mobile-only banking |
| Varo | None | Flexible | Varies | No-fee, no-minimum online account |
| Woodforest National Bank | Varies | Second chance product | Varies | In-person access, often inside Walmart |
How to Choose Between Them
With 10 solid options, the right pick comes down to a few personal factors.
Do You Want to Avoid ChexSystems Entirely, or Do You Need a True Second Chance Product?
Chime, Capital One, and Varo don’t rely on ChexSystems in the first place, so there’s no “second chance” label at all. Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, and Woodforest offer purpose-built second chance accounts specifically for applicants with a ChexSystems record.
Do You Need Branch Access?
If you want to deposit cash or talk to someone in person, Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, PNC, or Woodforest give you a physical branch network. If you’re comfortable banking entirely online, Chime, Capital One, SoFi, GO2bank, and Varo simplify things and typically come with fewer fees.
How Easily Can You Meet a Fee Waiver?
If setting up direct deposit is realistic for you, most of the accounts with a monthly fee waive it automatically once that’s in place. If you can’t guarantee consistent direct deposit yet, prioritize one of the accounts with no monthly fee at all, like Chime, Capital One, SoFi, or Varo.
Do You Want The Possibility of Earning Interest or a Bonus?
SoFi’s combined savings component and Capital One’s small APY are the only options here that pay meaningful interest. Chase currently offers a cash bonus for new accounts, which is uncommon in this category.
Are You Planning To Graduate To a Standard Account Soon?
If so, it may be worth choosing the second chance product at a bank where you’d eventually want a broader relationship, since some institutions make it easier to upgrade internally once your history improves.
There’s no wrong choice among this list. All 10 give you real access to core banking services while you rebuild, which is the entire point.
The Bottom Line
A denied checking account application isn’t the end of the road. Between banks that skip ChexSystems entirely and dedicated second chance products at major national banks, there’s a real option here regardless of what led to your denial or what kind of banking experience you’re looking for.
If fees are your top concern, start with Chime, Capital One, or Varo. If you want the reassurance of branch access at a major bank, Wells Fargo, Chase, or Bank of America are worth a closer look. And if you want to combine checking with a genuinely competitive savings rate, SoFi is hard to beat in this category.
Whichever account you choose, using it responsibly for 6 to 12 months is typically enough to put you on a path back to a standard checking account, wherever you decide to bank next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Second Chance Checking Account?
It depends on what you’re prioritizing. Chime and Capital One are strong picks if you want to avoid ChexSystems entirely with no fees. Wells Fargo is the best option if you want branch access at a major national bank. SoFi stands out if you also want to earn interest on savings.
Which Banks Don’t Check ChexSystems at All?
Capital One, Chime, and Varo are among the banks that don’t rely on ChexSystems when screening new checking account applicants, making approval more accessible regardless of your banking history.
Are Second Chance Checking Accounts Free?
Several are. Chime, Capital One, SoFi, and Varo currently charge no monthly maintenance fee. Others, like PNC, Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, and GO2bank, charge a fee in the $4.95 to $5 range that can typically be waived with direct deposit or by meeting other simple requirements.
Can I Upgrade From a Second Chance Account to a Standard Checking Account Later?
Often, yes. Many banks, including several on this list, allow you to graduate to a standard checking account after a period of responsible use, though the specific timeline and requirements vary by institution.
Can I Get a Second Chance Checking Account With No ChexSystems Check and No Fees?
Yes. Chime, Capital One 360 Checking, and Varo all skip the ChexSystems review and charge no monthly fee, making them among the most accessible options available.
Do Second Chance Checking Accounts Charge Overdraft Fees?
Most of the accounts on this list don’t. Chime, Capital One, SoFi, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America all decline transactions that would overdraw the account rather than approving them and charging a fee.
How Do I Know if a Bank Will Approve Me for a Second Chance Account?
Approval criteria vary by institution, and most banks don’t publish exact thresholds. If you’re unsure, it’s reasonable to contact the bank directly and ask whether they offer a second chance account and what their general approval standards look like before formally applying.
