Second Chance Checking Accounts in North Carolina

A checking account denial in North Carolina may come from banking history that still appears in ChexSystems or a similar screening report. Overdrafts, unpaid fees, and closed accounts can make approval harder, even when you’re ready to move forward.

Second chance checking accounts can help you rebuild with access to basic banking services. These accounts offer a more flexible way to open a new account while improving your financial history.

11 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.

You can also compare banks that don’t use ChexSystems in North Carolina for another route to checking account approval.

SoFi

Our Top Pick

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.

Current

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.

Chime

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.

Stash

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.

Acclaim Federal Credit Union

Acclaim Federal Credit Union offers Second Chance Checking, built on the belief that everyone makes mistakes and deserves a chance to get back on track.

It gives you a real path back into everyday banking.

To open one, you will first need to establish membership with a Membership Savings account. The account carries a $9.95 monthly fee.

Acclaim Federal Credit Union serves Greensboro and Stoneville, North Carolina, and primarily serves employees and affiliates of a number of named local employers.

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.

Welcome Federal Credit Union

Welcome Federal Credit Union offers Welcome Back Checking, described as fresh finances and new opportunities for applicants who do not qualify for a Regular Checking Account.

It gives you a second chance to rebuild your banking history while still keeping the most important features of a checking account, plus access to financial counseling to help you stay on track.

It takes a $50 initial deposit to open, with no minimum balance required after that. The account includes overdraft protection through savings or a line of credit, though Courtesy Pay is not available, along with Zelle and online banking.

It must be opened in person, and good standing means no more than $250 in unpaid closures over the past 12 months. After 12 months in good standing, you can apply to move up to a Regular Checking Account.

Welcome Federal Credit Union has branches in Durham, Greenville, Henderson, Morrisville, and Zebulon, North Carolina.

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.

Know of a second chance account we missed?

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