Second Chance Checking Accounts in Arkansas

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 has a $10 monthly fee, but the fee can drop to $5 when you make at least five debit card transactions per month.

The fee can be reduced to $0 when you make at least five debit card transactions per month and maintain a $500 minimum daily balance.

Essential Checking includes a debit card, digital banking, mobile deposit, account alerts, direct deposit, bill pay, Zelle, card controls, and access to more than 30,000 ATMs.

Arkansas Federal Credit Union has branches in Benton, Bryant, Cabot, Clarksville, Conway, Fort Smith, Greenbrier, and more.

It includes online banking, mobile access, bill pay, and a debit card. You’ll pay $9.95 per month with direct deposit or $14.95 without. Paper statements cost $1.50 unless you opt for e-statements.

The account requires a $50 opening deposit, and customers can request one overdraft fee refund per year. After one year of responsible account management, you may qualify for an upgrade.

BOK Financial has locations in Fayetteville and Bentonville.

The account requires $100 to open. The monthly service charge is $9.95 per statement cycle with direct deposit, or $12.95 per statement cycle without direct deposit. It has no minimum daily balance requirement.

Opportunity 100 Checking does not include Overdraft Privilege. Centennial says you may be eligible for other checking products after 12 months if you meet the bank’s account requirements.

Centennial Bank has branches in Batesville, Bentonville, Conway, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Rogers, and more.

The account requires $100 to open and has a $10 service charge each statement cycle. There is no minimum balance requirement, and the account includes unlimited check writing, a standard debit card, digital banking, bill pay, and mobile deposit.

New Opportunity Checking does not include Overdraft Privilege. Chambers also has specific ChexSystems rules. You may not have more than one account reported to ChexSystems, and the amount owed must fall within the bank’s limits.

After 12 months with no more than two returned unpaid items, you may qualify to move into another checking account.

Chambers Bank has branches in Amity, Atkins, Conway, Danville, Dardanelle, Dover, Elkins, and more.

The account has a $9.95 monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement. It includes a free contactless debit card, 24/7 online banking access, direct deposit, mobile banking, Zelle, and auto-enrollment into Cardguard.

Cotton Belt also says optional checks are available with Second Chance Checking. With good account management, you may be able to move into Cotton Belt’s Free Checking account later.

Cotton Belt Federal Credit Union has branches in Pine Bluff and White Hall.

You’ll need $100 to open the account, and the $10 monthly fee drops to $8 with direct deposit. Benefits include unlimited check writing, mobile deposit, and an instant-issue debit card.

Diamond Bank has branches throughout Arkansas, including Hot Springs, Glenwood, Nashville, Hope, Mena, and Texarkana.

The account requires $50 to open, and monthly fees are $8.50 with direct deposit or $11.50 without. You get unlimited check writing (checks available for purchase) and a free debit card, subject to approval.

Maintain the account in good standing for a year, and it automatically converts to Regular Checking. First Community Bank operates in cities like Little Rock, Batesville, Cabot, Conway, Jonesboro, and more.

The account requires $25 to open and has a $5 monthly fee. It has no minimum balance requirement and includes a debit card, online banking, mobile banking, mobile deposit, e-statements, and free access to Allpoint ATMs.

Fresh Start Checking is a checkless account. Checks are not issued, and the account is not eligible for Overdraft Privilege. That can make it easier to avoid overdraft-related setbacks while rebuilding your account history.

FM Bank has branches in Blytheville, Gosnell, Leachville, Manila, Piggott, Rector, and Wilson.

The account comes with no minimum balance requirement, free digital banking with mobile check deposit, and a debit card. There’s a $7.95 monthly fee, but it drops to $5.95 with e-statements.

You can open the account with a $50 deposit. Focus Bank serves Arkansas communities including Paragould, Marmaduke, and Jonesboro.

You’ll get a free debit card, online banking, and surcharge-free ATM access within Red River’s network. The account has a $10 monthly maintenance fee, but no minimum balance is required.

Branches are located in Ashdown, Hope, Nashville, and Texarkana.

The account has a $5 monthly fee and requires a $100 opening deposit, which is held for the first 30 days. After 12 months of no NSF activity, you may qualify for a standard checking account.

Membership is available to those who live, work, or worship in Ouachita, Calhoun, Columbia, Union, or Dallas counties.

This account gives members access to a checking relationship even if past banking issues have made it harder to qualify elsewhere.

It can help with everyday money management, including deposits, spending, transfers, and bill payments.

Access Checking includes many of UARK’s standard checking tools. These include a debit card, mobile banking, mobile check deposit, account alerts, direct deposit, bill pay, Zelle, fraud protection, and card controls.

UARK Federal Credit Union has branches in Fayetteville and Little Rock.

There’s no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and you’ll get access to digital banking, mobile check deposit, and thousands of fee-free ATMs through the CO-OP network.

The account also includes financial resources to help you progress to other checking options over time.

Arkansas branch locations include Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Lowell, and Siloam Springs.