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If you’ve been denied for a checking account, you’ve probably had some troubled history with banks. It could be that unpaid balance from your last bank account or even previous debit card abuse that landed you in hot water.

No matter what it was, your past is now holding you back from getting a regular checking account due to your banking credit history. You’ll have to earn your way back to a checking account but that’s where second chance bank accounts come in.

What Is A Second Chance Bank Account?

A second chance bank account is an alternative banking option to a traditional checking account. It’s mainly for people who’ve had their bank accounts closed due to unpaid fees, overdrafting, or other undesirable behavior.

Typically that also means your negative banking history is recorded with ChexSystems or Early Warning Services (EWS). This prevents you from opening a new checking account at another bank.

Second chance accounts give you a redo at banking by providing an opportunity to build positive banking history. They don’t use ChexSystems and they’re typically more lenient about past banking mistakes.

Some banks allow your good activity on a second chance account to inform their decision on approving you for a regular checking account. It makes the troublesome and expensive reality of not having a bank account less of a pain.

Now, let’s go over which second chance accounts are your best bet.

1. Varo Bank

Varo is a totally digital bank that seems to be doing things right. They have an average review of 4.0 on Trustpilot and their benefits list is impressive. On top of the typical features like online banking and a debit card, they also win over their customers with:

Two-day early direct deposit
Up to 6% cash back on select debit and credit card purchases
No monthly fees
No minimum balance requirements
Fee-free ATM access at Allpoint ATMs
No foreign transaction fees

Many second-chance checking accounts don’t provide nearly as many benefits, let alone cashback on debit card purchases. Varo also doesn’t check your banking credit score to open your account. Varo isn’t just for bank accounts either.

If you like the idea of managing your money with Varo, they also offer savings accounts and secured credit cards for a full online banking experience.

Try Varo

2. Chime

Chime is another FinTech company that has its banking services provided by an FDIC-insured bank. Since they don’t use ChexSystems to qualify you for their accounts, you typically won’t see a denial from them.

They’re also a purely online bank, so there are no physical Chime locations. Using Chime to build your banking history makes you privy to several benefits:

No monthly service fees
No minimum balance requirement
No overdraft fees up to $200
No foreign transaction fees
Mobile check deposit
Get direct deposit two days early

While Chime does have an A+ from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), their average review on Trustpilot could use some improvement at a 3.6. Otherwise, the second chance product they offer is a good contender.

Try Chime

3. Current

Current is a financial technology company founded in 2015. Their banking services are actually provided through Choice Financing Group, which is FDIC insured.

If you’re someone who prefers to visit the bank in person for service issues, this won’t be the one for you since Current operates entirely from their mobile app.

Their customer reviews overall could use some improvement with an average of 3.9 on Trustpilot. The majority of their negative reviews cite their customer service and funds availability policies as an issue.

There are some great perks to using Current including:

No minimum opening deposit
No minimum balance requirement
Get direct deposit two days early
Currently offering 4% APY on savings accounts
Good cash back rewards
Overdraft up to $200 without overdraft fees

Overall, this one is best to use when you’re comfortable only banking on your mobile phone and don’t use customer support often.

Try Current</