Second Chance Checking Accounts in New Jersey

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.

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.

The account has a $10 monthly fee and includes a free Visa debit card, online banking, mobile access, and bill pay.

After six months of responsible account use, you can upgrade to a standard checking account.

Membership is open to those who live, work, worship, attend school, or do business in Union or Essex County, as well as immediate family members of current members.

Atlantic Federal has locations in Kenilworth, Newark, and West Orange.

It requires a $100 opening deposit, carries a $10 monthly fee, and includes mobile banking, online access, bill pay, and identity theft protection.

The account also supports Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. After 12 months in good standing, you may qualify for a standard checking account.

Credit Union of New Jersey has branches in Ewing, Hamilton, and Trenton.

It takes a $25 checking deposit plus a $5 savings deposit to open, and it carries a $14.95 monthly fee.

The account does not include bill pay or courtesy pay, and checks must be purchased separately. It’s meant to be temporary: after a one-year in-branch review, you can graduate to a standard account.

First Financial has branches in Freehold, Neptune, Toms River, and Wall, New Jersey.

The account includes a Mastercard debit card, digital banking tools, and no minimum balance fees.

Over time, members with positive account activity may transition to a First Harvest Free1 Checking account.

First Harvest has branch locations in Camden, Deptford, Glassboro, Mt. Laurel, Pleasantville, Vineland, and Voorhees.

It’s a chance to re-establish your relationship with banking, or start building one for the first time.

It takes a $50 deposit to open and carries a $15 monthly fee with no stated waiver. You get a free Visa debit card, digital and mobile banking, bill pay, eStatements, and mobile deposits.

Greater Alliance serves Bergen and Passaic counties, with branches in Hackensack, Paramus, and Paterson, New Jersey.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit and carries a $15 monthly fee. You’ll also need to complete a checking management course and may be asked to set up direct deposit.

Account holders get unlimited check writing, a free debit card, surcharge-free ATM access, mobile banking, bill pay, and overdraft protection options.

Membership is available to those in Atlantic or Cape May County. Jersey Shore has branches in Atlantic City, Galloway, Hammonton, and Northfield.

Stay in good standing for 12 months and you graduate to Second Chance Plus, which adds unlimited check writing.

It takes $100 to open, with no minimum balance requirement. The monthly maintenance fee is $10, dropping to $9 with direct deposit.

You get a Magyar debit card with no annual fee, though it comes with limits while you rebuild, up to $500 for ATM withdrawals and $250 for point of sale purchases. Checks are not included until you graduate to the Plus tier.

Magyar Bank serves central New Jersey, with branches in Branchburg, Edison, Martinsville, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, and South Brunswick.

It gives you the core tools of everyday banking while you build back up.

It takes $50 to open and carries a $12.95 monthly fee, which drops to $7.95 when you maintain active direct deposit.

Overdrafts are not permitted on this account, which keeps your spending tied to your available balance.

OceanFirst has a wide New Jersey footprint, with branches in Atlantic City, Brick, Freehold, Middletown, Point Pleasant, Red Bank, Toms River, Trenton, and Vineland, among many others across the state.

The account comes with a free debit card, mobile banking, online access, bill pay, and unlimited check writing.

After 12 months of positive account management, you can upgrade to a standard checking account.

Membership is open to individuals in Monmouth, Ocean, and parts of central Middlesex County, or to family members of existing members.

United Teletech has branches in Hazlet, Middletown, Morganville, Neptune, North Brunswick, and Tinton Falls.