Nevada’s unbanked population is on the rise, causing more individuals to rely on prepaid debit cards. If you can’t get approved for a bank account, it may because of your record in ChexSystems. Similar to a credit report, your ChexSystems record is viewed by most banks as part of the application process. When you have negative items on there based on your past account management, you could be denied.
Red-flag items include too many overdrafts, non-sufficient funds, or unpaid fees at past banks. But just because you’ve had financial mistakes in your past doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for a bank account and get rid of inconvenient tools like prepaid debit cards.
With a checking account, you can take advantage of perks like a debit card, check writing, online banking, and mobile check deposit. It’s worth taking the time to find a bank that offers checking accounts to individuals regardless of banking history.
Check out our full list of second chance checking accounts and credit unions or banks that don’t use ChexSystems in Nevada.
BBVA Free Checking
at BBVA USA Member FDIC
Free Checking from BBVA doesn’t require any kind of ChexSystems review. BBVA uses EWS. It’s an easy account to get approved for, and it’s entirely online so it doesn’t matter where you live in Nevada.
To open the account, you just need to start with a $25 deposit. Once you’ve done that, there’s no monthly service fee or minimum balance. If you like hard copies, you do have to pay a $3 monthly fee for paper statements but you can opt out of that and just get free e-statements.
For a free account, you do get quite a few perks from BBVA, including a free Visa debit card, online and mobile banking, and free ATM access at over 64,000 machines nationwide. You can also sign up for a cash back rewards program that earns you money each time you swipe your debit card.
Chime
on Chime's secure website
Chime is another online option available in Nevada. They offer second chance checking that is completely managed through their comprehensive mobile app.
You can expect to receive daily balance alerts, making it easy to keep track of how much money you have in your account. Also, keep an eye on your spending with transaction alerts.
Another benefit with Chime’s account is that there are no monthly fees and there’s no minimum balance you need to keep. It also comes with direct deposit and your funds could be available to you up to two days faster than usual.
You can also sign up for a free savings account that’s linked to checking for an easy opportunity to save. When you need cash, simply head to a MoneyPass or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. You won’t get physical checks with this account, but you can have a paper check sent from your account through the app.
Clark County Credit Union
on Clark County CU's secure website
Clark County offers second chance checking called Check Again. There’s a $12 monthly fee, but it comes with all the usual banking perks you’d expect from a regular account, including a debit card, online and mobile banking, and monthly e-statements.
To get the account, you have to deposit and maintain $50 in a savings account. You’ll need another $50 as an initial deposit in your checking account.
After 12 months of successfully managing your account, you can upgrade to a fee-free account. There are a number of ways to qualify for membership by either working or supporting specific non-profit organizations in Clark County, Henderson, Las Vegas, or North Las Vegas.
Idaho Central Credit Union
on Idaho Central's secure website
Don’t let the name fool you: if you live or work in Jackpot, Nevada, you can qualify for membership with Idaho Central.
They do not use ChexSystems but instead pull your credit report to approve new accounts.
Their checking options include Free Checking, Go Green! Checking, Money Market Checking, Starter Checking, and Classic Checking.
Free Checking truly is fee-free and you don’t have to worry about maintaining a certain minimum balance in your account. You can get an instant-issue Visa debit card, so you can start using your account right away after applying in a branch. The account also comes with online banking and free Mobile Wallet for Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.
Nevada State Bank
on Nevada State Bank's secure website
Nevada State Bank offers flexible checking called OnBudget Banking. There are a few restrictions, including no check writing or overdraft protection available. You can, however, take advantage of a debit card, Pop Money, online banking, and mobile check deposit.
To open an OnBudget Banking account, you’ll need a $50 opening deposit, plus pay a monthly fee of $5. There’s a $2.50 monthly fee for paper statements, but that drops off when you enroll in online banking and receive e-statements. You can apply for this account online or in person. Nevada State Bank has branches throughout the state.
Wells Fargo
on Wells Fargo's secure website
For second chance checking from a national bank, you can apply for Opportunity Checking from Wells Fargo. The account is made for people who have been denied a regular checking account because of their ChexSystems record.
It comes with all the perks of a regular account, including a debit card, check writing, online bill pay, and mobile banking.
Start with a $25 initial deposit for your account. Then, you’ll pay a $10 monthly fee, unless you get it waived with one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Use your debit card for 10+ transactions a month
- Receive $500+ in direct deposits each month
- Maintain a $1,500+ minimum daily balance.
They have branches located throughout much of Nevada, plus you can manage your account almost entirely online or through the mobile app.
WestStar Credit Union
on WestStar's secure website
You can apply for Fresh Start Checking from WestStar. There’s no minimum deposit required to open the account, but the monthly fee is a fairly steep $16.50 a month.
You do, however, get access to several benefits, including unlimited check writing, a debit MasterCard, direct deposit, online and mobile banking, plus overdraft protection. After you’ve kept a positive balance for 12 consecutive months, you can upgrade to Simple Checking which is a free account.
To become a member, you must be an employee of a qualifying company or any company that is licensed for Gaming by the State of Nevada. Branches are located in Las Vegas and Reno.