Second Chance Checking Accounts in North Carolina

If you’ve been denied a checking account in North Carolina, your banking history may be working against you. Many banks use systems like ChexSystems to flag overdrafts, unpaid fees, or closed accounts, making it harder to open a new account.

Second chance checking accounts offer a fresh start, giving you access to essential banking services while helping rebuild your financial history.

8 Banks & Credit Unions Offering Second Chance Bank Accounts in North Carolina

Below is a list of banks and credit unions in North Carolina offering second chance accounts to help you get back on track.

Current

Our Top Pick

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—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—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.

SoFi

Features & Benefits

  • Earn up to $300 with qualifying direct deposit
  • No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
  • Up to 3.80% 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 $300, plus earn a competitive 3.80% 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.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • No ChexSystems checks or credit pull
  • Open an account with no minimum deposit
  • Access over 60,000 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®—a secured card with no credit check, no annual fee, and no interest charges.

Chime gives you access to over 60,000 fee-free ATMs, early direct deposit, and cash deposit options at more than 8,500 Walgreens locations.

Excite Credit Union

Excite Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking for members working to rebuild their banking history.

The account requires a $50 opening deposit and has a $15 monthly fee with no ongoing balance requirement.

It includes a Visa debit card, online and mobile banking, remote deposit, and access to over 30,000 CO‑OP ATMs nationwide.

Excite Credit Union has branch locations in Wilmington, North Carolina.

HealthShare Credit Union

HealthShare Credit Union provides Second Chance Checking to help individuals rebuild their financial standing.

The account requires a $5 savings deposit to open and comes with a $10 monthly fee. It includes mobile banking, online banking, eStatements, and ATM access.

After maintaining the account in good standing for 12 months, you may be eligible to upgrade to a standard Free Checking account.

HealthShare Credit Union has branch locations in Burlington and Greensboro, North Carolina.

North Carolina Community Federal Credit Union

North Carolina Community Federal Credit Union offers FreshStart Checking, a second chance account for individuals with past banking challenges.

The account has a $10 monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.

It includes a free Visa debit card, online banking, e-statements, and bill pay. There are no fees for check cashing or check writing.

Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Wayne County. You can also qualify with a $5 donation to Your Community Foundation if you live elsewhere in North Carolina.

NCCFCU has branches in Goldsboro.

Skyla Credit Union

Skyla Credit Union provides Fresh Start Checking, designed for members rebuilding their financial history.

The account has a $10.95 monthly fee, which drops to $7.95 with direct deposit.

It comes with overdraft protection, a free Visa debit card, and no minimum balance requirement.

Membership is open to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, or Union Counties.

Skyla Credit Union has branches in Asheville, Belmont, Charlotte, Greensboro, Harrisburg, Huntersville, Kings Mountain, Matthews, Salisbury, and Spindale.

Woodforest National Bank

Woodforest National Bank offers Second Chance Checking for individuals looking to rebuild their banking history.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit and includes essential features like a debit card, online and mobile banking, and bill pay services.

The monthly fee is $11.95, but it’s reduced to $9.95 if you enroll in direct deposit. Paper statements are optional for an additional $3 per month, but e-statements are free.

After 12 months of maintaining the account in good standing, you may be eligible to upgrade to a standard checking account.

Woodforest National Bank operates over 80 branches in North Carolina, with locations in cities such as Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Wilmington.