Second Chance Checking Accounts in Minnesota

Andrew Collins

A negative banking history can make it harder to open a checking account in Minnesota, especially if banks see unpaid fees, overdrafts, or closed accounts in ChexSystems. Even older account problems can affect approval when a bank relies on screening reports.

Second chance checking accounts give you a way to rebuild your record while getting back to everyday banking. These accounts can help restore access to basic tools like debit cards, online banking, and mobile deposits.

8 Banks & Credit Unions Offering Second Chance Bank Accounts in Minnesota

Here are banks and credit unions across Minnesota offering second chance checking for customers looking to restore their banking access.

You can also explore banks that don’t use ChexSystems in Minnesota for another possible route to a new checking account.

SoFi

Our Top Pick
SoFi
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Features & Benefits

  • Earn up to $400 with qualifying direct deposit
  • No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
  • Up to 3.30% APY on savings balances
  • Access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs

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.

Apply online →

Current

Current
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Features & Benefits

  • Build credit automatically with your debit card activity
  • No monthly fees or minimum deposit required
  • Over 40,000 Allpoint ATMs nationwide
  • Early direct deposit lets you get paid up to 2 days sooner

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.

Apply online →

Chime

Chime
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Features & Benefits

  • No ChexSystems checks or credit pull
  • Open an account with no minimum deposit
  • Access over 47,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide
  • Optional secured credit card to help build credit

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.

Apply online →

Stash

Stash
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Features & Benefits

  • No hidden fees
  • Earn stock as you spend with Stock-Back® rewards
  • Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit
  • 55,000+ fee-free ATMs through Allpoint®

Stash offers a checking account with no ChexSystems review or credit check. This makes it accessible if you’ve 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.

Everything is managed through the Stash mobile app, which also includes investing and budgeting tools.

Apply online →

Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union

Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union
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Minnesota Valley FCU offers Second Chance Checking, designed for individuals working to rebuild their banking history.

The account requires a $100 minimum balance to avoid a $2 monthly fee. Overdraft protection is available from your savings account, and members receive the same features as standard checking, including debit card access and online banking.

Membership is open to individuals who live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in Blue Earth, Le Sueur, or Nicollet counties. Minnesota Valley FCU has two branches in Mankato—one uptown and one downtown.

Apply online →

Northern Communities Credit Union

Northern Communities Credit Union
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Northern Communities Credit Union offers SOAR Checking, short for Start, Overcome, Achieve, Rise, an account made for people rebuilding their banking history.

If a ChexSystems record has kept you from opening a regular checking account, this is built for you, and after twelve months of responsible use you can move up to a standard account.

You get the everyday essentials, including an ATM and debit card, direct deposit, online and mobile banking, and remote deposit, with no minimum balance.

To open one, you’ll need to be 18 or older, pay any unpaid closures in full first, and complete a short financial education component.

Northern Communities serves northeastern Minnesota, with branches in Duluth and Virginia.

Apply online →

Unity One Credit Union

Unity One Credit Union
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Unity One CU provides Clean Start Checking, a second chance account for those looking to regain financial control.

The account requires a $50 opening deposit and carries low monthly fees, with no ongoing balance requirements.

Members have access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 5,000+ shared branch locations nationwide.

After 12 months of responsible account use, members may upgrade to Best Free Checking, which has no monthly fees. Unity One has a Minnesota branch located in Maplewood.

Apply online →

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo
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Wells Fargo offers Clear Access Banking, a second chance account for people who may not qualify for a standard checking account because of past banking issues.

Since it’s a checkless, debit-card-only account, a purchase you can’t cover is simply declined rather than approved and charged an overdraft fee, so there’s no risk of running up charges while you rebuild.

The account takes $25 to open and has a $5 monthly fee, waived for account holders ages 13 to 24. You get mobile and online banking, online bill pay, Zelle for sending and receiving money, and access to Wells Fargo’s large ATM and branch network.

With one of the biggest branch footprints in the country, Wells Fargo has locations in over 120 Minnesota cities, including Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Duluth, Eagan, Minneapolis, Plymouth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and St. Paul.

Apply online →

Second Chance Banks by State

Choose your state from the list below to find second chance checking accounts and see what options are available near you.

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