Second Chance Checking Accounts in Illinois

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—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®—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.

Stash offers a checking account that does not require ChexSystems or a credit check. This makes it accessible if you have had trouble opening accounts in the past.

Each time you use the Stash debit card, you earn Stock-Back® rewards in the form of small pieces of stock from the brands where you spend.

You can also receive your paycheck early through direct deposit. The account has no overdraft fees.

The account is managed through the Stash mobile app. The app also gives you tools for investing and budgeting.

The account has no minimum balance and includes a Banterra Visa debit card, unlimited ATM/ITM transactions at Banterra machines, unlimited check writing, and free digital banking.

Branches are located across Illinois, including Carmi, Carbondale, Carterville, Du Quoin, Marion, Mount Vernon, Harrisburg, Herrin, and West Frankfort.

The account has a $7.50 monthly fee and includes access to debit cards, unlimited check writing, and online banking. After 12 months in good standing, members may qualify for a standard account.

Branches are located in Belleville and Shiloh. Members can also use thousands of Co-Op Shared Branch locations nationwide.

The account has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement and includes a Visa debit card, mobile banking, online bill pay, and early pay with direct deposit.

After 12 months, you may upgrade to Free Checking or High-Yield Checking.

CU1 has branches across Illinois, including Chicago, Evergreen Park, Lombard, Springfield, Vernon Hills, and Rantoul.

The account requires a $50 deposit and includes unlimited check writing, a free Mastercard debit card, online banking, and access to 64,000+ surcharge-free ATMs through Allpoint. The $9.95 monthly fee applies with no ongoing balance requirement.

First American operates over 40 Illinois branches, including Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Oak Lawn, Evanston, Naperville, and Skokie.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit and carries a $5 monthly maintenance fee. It includes a debit card, online/mobile banking, bill pay, and access to surcharge-free ATMs via MoneyPass. There are no overdraft fees or minimum balance requirements.

Branches are located throughout Illinois, with multiple convenient locations including the Chicago metropolitan area.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit, a $15 setup fee, and includes a free Visa debit card. After 12 months of good account management, you may qualify to upgrade to standard checking.

Branches are located in Clinton, Forest Park, Rockton, Roscoe, and Winnebago.

The account requires a $25 deposit and includes an instant-issue debit card, mobile and online banking, and no monthly fees or balance requirements.

After maintaining a positive account history, members may qualify for GLCU’s interest-bearing Free Checking.

GLCU has branches in Antioch, Bolingbrook, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Gurnee, Naperville, Round Lake Beach, and Waukegan.

The account requires a $20 deposit, includes a free debit card, and has a $5 monthly fee. Account holders receive free money orders for the first year, and may upgrade to standard checking after 12 months in good standing.

Branches are located throughout the southern Chicago area, including Bridgeview, Hickory Hills, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, and Orland Park.

The account requires a $50 opening deposit and has a $7 monthly fee. It includes online banking, mobile banking, bill pay, a debit card, access to over 5,000 fee-free ATMs, and overdraft protection.

After 12 months of good standing, you may upgrade to standard checking.

Staley CU operates three branches in Decatur.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit and $9 setup fee. Monthly fees are $11.95, reduced to $9.95 with direct deposit. Paper statement fees are waived by enrolling in e-statements.

Woodforest has 49 Illinois branches, including Aurora, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield.