What Is a Second Chance Checking Account?

A checking account can be a go-to tool for managing your financial life.

Checking accounts make it easy to deposit paychecks and potentially get paid faster with direct deposit. You can use your account to pay bills, make purchases, or withdraw cash at the ATM. Checking accounts don’t have the same restrictions on withdrawal limits that savings accounts do.

But what if you can’t get approved for a checking account?

You could be denied for a checking account if you have a negative ChexSystems report. ChexSystems is a company that maintains banking records for people who have had their bank accounts closed.

For example, too many returned checks could lead to account closure. Your accounts may also be closed if you’ve been the victim of identity theft or you’re going through a divorce.

There are a variety of reasons why an account closure can happen. If you’re curious about what’s in your ChexSystems report, you can request a copy of yours for free online. And in the meantime, you can weigh your options for opening a bank account.

A second-chance checking account is one option you might consider.

What Is a Second-Chance Checking Account?

Second-chance checking accounts are just what they sound like—checking accounts for people who need a second chance at banking. Banks and credit unions can offer these accounts to customers who may have been denied a regular checking account because of a poor ChexSystems report.

A second-chance checking account is a good option to have if you can’t get a traditional bank account. For example, you can use second-chance bank accounts to:

• Deposit your paychecks
• Deposit cash or personal checks
• Pay bills online
• Make purchases using a linked debit card
• Withdraw cash at ATMs

What sets second-chance accounts apart from regular checking accounts is who they’re for and their features. Again, second-chance banking is tailored to people who want to open a bank account but have run into trouble getting approved because of a negative banking history.

In terms of the features of second chance bank accounts, they can vary from bank to bank. Here’s a quick look at three second-chance checking account options to give you an idea of how they compare.

Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking

Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking is designed for people who are looking for a second-chance checking account option.

Here are the key features:

• $25 minimum deposit to open
• $5 monthly service fee for each fee period
• No overdraft or non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees
• Checkless checking with debit card access
• Wells Fargo mobile app to pay bills, deposit checks, and send or receive money

You can also add a Wells Fargo savings account option as part of a Clear Access Banking package.

LendingClub Essential Checking

Formerly Radius Essential Checking, the LendingClub Essential Checking account offers personal banking for people who need help getting back on track.

Here are the key features:

• $9 monthly service charge
• $500 daily debit card limit
• $1,000 daily mobile check deposit limit
• Direct deposit
• Online bill payment
• Financial management tools

After 12 months of responsible banking, you may be eligible to upgrade to a LendingClub Rewards Checking account.

GO2Bank

Go2Bank is an online second-chance checking account offered by Green Dot. It might be worth considering if you need second-chance checking and prefer mobile-only banking.

Here are the key features:

• Overdraft protection of up to $200
• Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit
• No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit; otherwise, $5
• No hidden fees
• No minimum balance required

The GO2Bank app is available for download in the App Store and the Google Play Store.

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How to Get a Second-Chance Checking Account

If you’re interested in second-chance banking, the first step is comparing accounts to see what’s available. We’ve included a few second-chance bank accounts you might consider here, but in general, it’s important to consider things like:

• Minimum deposit requirements
• Minimum balance requirements
• Monthly maintenance fees
• Debit card and ATM access
• Mobile banking features (i.e. bill pay, funds transfer, mobile check deposit, etc.)
• Daily deposit, withdrawal, and purchase limits

It’s also important to look at whether a second chance bank account requires a ChexSystems report or credit report to qualify. Some banks that offer second-chance checking may look at these reports, but not all of them do. So again, if you haven’t checked your ChexSystems report, it might be a good idea to do so. This way, you know what a bank or credit union is going to see and how that might affect your odds of being approved for a checking account.

Keep in mind that if you’re approved for a second-chance checking account, it won’t cancel out negative information on your ChexSystems report. It generally won’t help to improve your credit either, as positive banking history is not typically reported to credit bureaus.

Managing Second-Chance Checking

If you’re approved for a second-chance bank account, it’s important to manage it responsibly. This can prevent another account closure and could help you get approved for a regular checking account down the line.

You can develop good banking habits by:

• Keeping track of spending to avoid overdrafts
• Using direct deposit to get paid
• Paying bills online
• Maintaining the minimum balance requirements

Setting up account alerts can help. You can set up alerts if your balance is getting low, for example. That gives you a chance to make a deposit and head off overdrafts.

Second-Chance Checking Pros and Cons

Second-chance bank accounts can help if you’ve been denied a checking account. But they may not be right for everyone. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons to know before opening a second-chance checking account.

Second-Chance Banking Alternatives

A second chance account is something you might consider if you’d like to keep your money at a bank. But it’s not the only option for managing your finances.

You might consider using prepaid debit cards instead. Prepaid debit cards allow you to load money onto your card and then use it to make purchases, pay bills, or withdraw cash at ATMs.

On the pro side, prepaid debit cards are convenient and you don’t need to worry about negative ChexSystems history keeping you from being approved. You can use a prepaid debit card in much the same way that you would a debit card that’s linked to a bank account. The difference is that all of your money is stored on the card, not held in a checking account.

That can be a potential downside if your card is lost or stolen. While you may be able to recover your money, it could take time, leaving you without the means to make purchases temporarily. Prepaid debit cards can also come with steep fees, including activation fees, reload fees, and monthly maintenance fees.

If you’re considering a prepaid debit card in place of second-chance banking, take a close look at the fees. Also, consider how easy it will be to add money to your account or make withdrawals at ATMs to determine how accessible your money will be.

Second-Chance Banking FAQs