Checking
A checking account that says yes
If a closed account or a ChexSystems record has kept you out of the banking system, Second Chance Checking is the way back in. Twelve months of good standing graduates you to Free Checking.
How this account is different
It is a real checking account with guardrails, not a prepaid card with a monthly bill attached.
A ChexSystems record is not a no
We review your history with a person, not a scoring cutoff. Most applicants with a past closed account are approved.
A real debit card
Contactless Visa debit that works everywhere, with mobile wallet support and no reload fees.
No overdraft, by design
Transactions that would overdraw are declined at no cost. You cannot dig a hole with this account.
A clear path out
After twelve months in good standing, the account converts to Free Checking automatically and the fee stops.
Early direct deposit
Your paycheck posts as soon as your employer's file arrives, up to two days ahead of payday.
Free financial coaching
One-on-one sessions with a certified counselor at no charge, for as long as you are a member.
Terms in plain numbers
One monthly fee that ends on schedule, and nothing else.
Rates current as of July 2026 and subject to change. Membership eligibility required. This is a demonstration website; rates, products, and figures shown are illustrative only.
The twelve-month path
Good standing means no returned items and a positive balance. That is the whole test.
Apply and open
A member advisor reviews your application personally. If there is an unpaid balance at another institution, we will tell you exactly what to resolve.
Bank for twelve months
Use the account normally. Keep the balance above zero and avoid returned items, and you are on track from month one.
Graduate automatically
We review the account at month twelve and convert it to Free Checking. The monthly fee stops and nothing about your card or account number changes.
Common questions
Will you check ChexSystems?
Yes, but the report informs a conversation rather than triggering an automatic denial. Old records, small unpaid balances, and single incidents rarely stop an approval.
What if I still owe money to another bank?
You can usually still open the account. We will point out what is outstanding and, if you want, a counselor will help you set up a payment arrangement to clear it.
Why is there a monthly fee at all?
The fee covers the closer monitoring this account requires. It is fixed at $9.95, it is the only fee, and it ends the moment you graduate to Free Checking.
What happens if I miss the twelve-month mark?
Nothing punitive. If the review does not pass, the account continues as it is and we review again in six months. A counselor will walk you through what to change.
Can I open savings alongside it?
Yes. Every member has a share savings account, and you can add High-Yield Savings at 4.15% APY with no minimum and no monthly fee at any time.
Does opening this account affect my credit score?
No. Deposit account applications are not reported to the consumer credit bureaus, and we do not run a hard credit inquiry to open Second Chance Checking.
Everyone deserves a checking account
Apply online, or sit down with an advisor at any of our 42 branches and go through it together.