Second Chance Checking Accounts in Alabama

SoFi’s Checking and Savings account is designed to help you keep more of your money. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimums to worry about.

Set up direct deposit, and you can unlock a sign-up bonus of up to $400, plus earn a competitive 3.30% APY on your savings. Checking accounts earn 0.50% APY as well.

You’ll also have access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs and the ability to get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

Current gives you a simple way to open a checking account without ChexSystems or credit checks. You can start building credit by using your debit card for everyday purchases, with no loans, hard inquiries, or interest involved.

There’s no minimum balance to maintain, no hidden fees, and access to thousands of fee-free ATMs across the U.S.

Current’s Premium account also includes early direct deposit and Savings Pods that earn up to 4.00% APY, helping your money grow without sacrificing flexibility.

Chime makes it easy to open a checking account, even if your banking history isn’t perfect. There are no monthly fees, no foreign transaction charges, and no minimum balance required.

You can also boost your credit with the Chime Credit Builder Visa®. It’s a secured card with no credit check, no annual fee, and no interest charges.

Chime gives you access to over 47,000 fee-free ATMs, early direct deposit, and cash deposit options at more than 8,500 Walgreens locations.

The account requires $20 to open and has a $10 monthly fee. Direct deposit is required.

The account does not include paper checks, but it does include digital banking, e-statements, telephone account access, a debit card, and free ATM withdrawals from Alabama ONE.

After 12 months, you may be eligible to request an upgrade to another Alabama ONE checking account.

Alabama ONE Credit Union has branches in Birmingham, Centreville, Demopolis, Dothan, Gadsden, Jasper, Montgomery, and more.

The account requires a $25 minimum opening deposit and has a $9.95 monthly fee. Avadian says eligibility is based on approval from credit reporting information and whether you have caused Avadian a prior loss.

JumpStart Checking has some limits. It does not include online bill pay or CO-OP Shared Branching access.

Deposits may also be limited, with payroll checks accepted from select employee groups and other deposits limited to cash and government checks.

Avadian Credit Union has branches in Birmingham, Chelsea, Dothan, Gardendale, Geneva, Helena, Homewood, and more.

There’s no minimum balance to maintain, but expect a monthly service fee along with a one-time $5 setup charge.

If your share account balance falls below $25, a $5 low-balance fee applies. Azalea City has two branches in Mobile and one in Calvert, AL.

The account has no minimum deposit to open. There is no monthly fee if you use e-statements, or a $3 monthly fee without e-statements.

It includes free online services, direct deposit, unlimited check writing, and a free instant-issue Visa debit card.

Overdraft protection may be available with credit approval.

Birmingham City Credit Union is based in Birmingham.

It comes with financial tools, including budgeting resources and a one-on-one consultation with a financial counselor.

The account has no minimum balance requirement but carries a $10 monthly fee. Be aware that deposited checks may face extended holds unless they’re from payroll or government sources.

Shared branching isn’t included, but after a full year of responsible account management, you may qualify for a standard checking account.

Family Security operates locations throughout Alabama, including cities like Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Decatur, Athens, Muscle Shoals, and many others.

The account requires $50 to open and has a $10 monthly fee. E-statements are required.

If you keep the account in good standing for one full year, you can upgrade to FirstLink Basic Checking.

First US Bank has branches in Birmingham, Butler, Calera, Centreville, Grove Hill, Harpersville, Thomasville, and more.

The account has an $8 monthly service fee and does not earn dividends. It gives members a way to start over with a checking relationship while working toward better account habits.

If you keep the account open for at least 12 straight months without a negative balance, you may ask Four Seasons to review your account for an upgrade to another checking account with no monthly fee.

Four Seasons Federal Credit Union is based in Opelika.

You’ll get a free debit card, online and mobile banking, e-statements, and access to the Guardian Rewards program. Overdraft protection and courtesy pay become available if you upgrade your account down the line.

Branches are available in Montgomery, Prattville, Wetumpka, and Troy.

The account includes a free debit card, online banking, and access to bill pay services. It’s designed to give members a second chance while providing the convenience of digital banking.

Gulf Winds has branches in Alabama cities including Mobile and Daphne, making it accessible for many residents along the Gulf Coast.

The account requires $35 to open and has a $10 monthly fee. It does not include check writing or overdraft coverage, which can help limit new account problems while you rebuild.

Heritage South says you may be able to move to Totally Free Checking after 12 months if your account stays in good standing and any ChexSystems amounts owed have been paid.

Heritage South Credit Union has branches in Alexander City, Childersburg, Moody, and Sylacauga.

The account has a $10 monthly fee. There is also an additional $10 monthly fee if you are not enrolled in eStatements.

Simply Debit includes a free Mastercard debit card, ATM access, digital banking, and eligibility for Priority Pay early direct deposit.

This account is designed as a pathway back to standard checking. After one year of responsible use, you may be able to apply for one of Keesler Federal’s regular checking accounts.

Keesler Federal Credit Union serves members in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the United Kingdom.

The account requires a $100 opening deposit and has a $16.95 monthly service charge.

It has no minimum balance requirement and includes a Mastercard debit card, mobile app access, online banking, telephone banking, mobile deposit, digital wallet access, online bill pay, and e-statements.

Mutual Savings Credit Union has branches in Alexander City, Birmingham, Brookwood, Calera, Clanton, Pelham, and Selma.

The account has no minimum balance requirement and a $10 monthly service charge. It includes unlimited check writing and a no-cost Visa debit card.

New Start Checking is not eligible for Courtesy Pay and does not earn dividends. After 12 months of proven account history, you may be able to switch to New Horizons’ basic Free Checking account.

New Horizons Credit Union has branches in Daphne, Jackson, Mobile, Saraland, and Semmes.

This account includes a free Discover debit card with built-in fraud protection, 24/7 online access, mobile check deposit, and nationwide ATM availability.

There’s a $10 monthly fee, and optional bill pay is available for $4.95 per month. If you keep your account in good standing for 12 months with no more than six NSF occurrences, you can request an upgrade.

United Bank serves Alabama communities including Atmore, Brewton, and Monroeville.

The account is available for people with a credit score of 619 or below. It requires a $100 cash deposit to open, which must stay in the account for the first 24 hours.

WinSouth says this helps prevent accidental overdrafts after your debit card is issued.

Fresh Start Checking has a $10 monthly fee. The account does not allow overdrafts, and you can graduate to a regular checking account after one year if your credit score reaches 620 or higher.

WinSouth Credit Union has branches in Albertville, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Moody, Oneonta, Pell City, Rainbow City, and more.

You can open the account with just $25, along with a one-time $9 setup fee. The regular monthly service fee is $11.95, but this drops to $9.95 with direct deposit enrollment.

Paper statements are optional for $3 per month, but switching to e-statements eliminates this fee entirely.

Woodforest operates over 700 branches in 17 states, including locations in Alabama cities like Birmingham, Montgomery, and Huntsville.