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, 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 gives members a second-chance opportunity while still providing access to everyday banking tools.

It can help you manage deposits, payments, and debit card spending while working toward a better account record.

Right Track Checking can be useful if past banking problems have made it harder to open a standard checking account.

1st MidAmerica Credit Union has branches in Alton, Bethalto, Godfrey, Granite City, and Jerseyville.

To qualify, all reported ChexSystems charge-offs must be paid in full. Once eligible, the account gives members a way to rebuild with a local credit union and work toward stronger banking habits.

Fresh Start Checking can help you get back to everyday banking after past account problems.

Abri Credit Union has branches in Batavia, Frankfort, Joliet, Lemont, Plainfield, Romeoville, and Woodridge.

The account gives members a way to get back on track with a local credit union. It can help you manage deposits, debit card spending, and payments while rebuilding a better account history.

Fresh Start Checking may be a good fit if past checking issues have made it harder to qualify for a standard account.

Access Credit Union is based in Broadview.

The account gives customers a way to return to banking after past account issues. It can help with deposits, payments, debit card spending, and daily money management while you work toward stronger account habits.

2nd Chance Checking may be a good fit if you want a local bank account and a fresh start.

Anna-Jonesboro National Bank has branches in Anna and Jonesboro.

The account gives customers a way to get back into banking while keeping the structure simple. Deposits are limited to ACH deposits, and account access is focused on ATM and point-of-sale debit card activity.

Fresh Start Checking can be a practical option if you need basic banking access but are not ready or eligible for a standard checking account.

Bank of Springfield has branches in Chatham, Glen Carbon, Jacksonville, Normal, Quincy, Shiloh, Springfield, and more.

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 gives you a second opportunity to open a checking account and get back to regular banking. It can help you manage deposits, payments, and debit card spending while rebuilding a better account record.

Bridge Checking may be a good fit if past account problems have made it harder to qualify for a standard checking account elsewhere.

Busey Bank has branches in Alton, Belleville, Bloomington, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Edwardsville, and more.

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.

This is a debit-only deposit account, so it is more limited than a traditional checking account. It can still give members a way to receive deposits, make debit card purchases, and handle basic money needs while rebuilding.

Debit Advantage may be worth considering if past credit reporting or account history issues have made it harder to open regular checking.

Central Illinois Credit Union is based in Champaign.

The account gives customers a path toward improving their financial standing while still having access to everyday banking.

It can help you handle deposits, payments, and debit card purchases through a traditional bank relationship.

Alternative Checking is designed as a fresh start for people who need a way back into regular banking after past account issues.

CIBM Bank has branches in Bloomington, Champaign, Danville, Monticello, Peoria, Urbana, and Wheaton.

The account gives members another way to access checking services and rebuild their banking history.

It can help with everyday deposits, payments, and spending while you work toward better account habits.

New X 2 Checking may be useful if a past ChexSystems record has made it harder to get approved elsewhere.

Community Plus Federal Credit Union is based in Rantoul.

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 is designed to help customers build a stronger financial future while returning to everyday banking.

It can be a helpful option if past account issues have made it harder to qualify for a traditional checking account.

Fresh Start Checking gives customers a way to manage deposits, spending, and payments with a local bank while working toward a better banking record.

Devon Bank has branches in Chicago, Glenview, and Wheeling.

The account is designed for people who would not normally qualify for checking and need an opportunity to establish or re-establish a banking relationship.

It gives customers a way to return to everyday banking while building a better account history.

New Beginning Checking can help you move away from prepaid cards, money orders, or check-cashing services and back into a local bank account.

FCB Banks has branches in Albers, Belleville, Caseyville, Collinsville, Columbia, Edwardsville, Highland, and more.

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 may be available even if your ChexSystems report shows unpaid balances, as long as there are no more than three unpaid closures. That makes it a clear second-chance option for members with past account issues.

Fresh Start Checking gives members a way to return to everyday banking and work toward better account history with a local credit union.

Land of Lincoln Credit Union has branches in Bloomington, Centralia, Colchester, Decatur, Effingham, Mattoon, Normal, and more.

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 credit union’s checking page directs interested applicants to call or visit for this option. It can be a fit if past banking issues have made it harder to qualify for a standard account and you want to work with a local credit union.

Second Chance at Checking gives members a path back to everyday banking while rebuilding a stronger account record.

NuMark Credit Union has branches in Aurora, Chicago, Countryside, Crest Hill, Joliet, New Lenox, Plainfield, and more.

The account is available to customers with a ChexSystems record older than one year and a balance owed of less than $250.

It gives eligible customers a way to open a new account and start rebuilding a better banking history.

Fresh Start Checking can be a good fit if a past ChexSystems record has made it harder to get approved elsewhere.

Pan American Bank & Trust has branches in Bellwood, Bloomingdale, Chicago, Melrose Park, Oak Brook, and Palatine.

The account is built for people who have made past banking mistakes and want a way to rebuild. It gives customers access to a real checking relationship while working toward better account habits.

StartFresh Checking also has a graduation path. After 18 months of responsible account use, you may be able to move into a standard Solutions Bank checking account.

Solutions Bank has branches in Davis, Durand, Forreston, Freeport, and Poplar Grove.

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 may be available to applicants who did not pass ChexSystems because of unpaid charge-offs. It gives members a way to restart with a local credit union and rebuild better banking habits.

Fresh Start Checking can be a good fit if past account problems have kept you from opening standard checking elsewhere.

Streator Onized Credit Union has branches in Dwight, Morris, Ottawa, Pontiac, and Streator.

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.