With close to 25% of Texas households deemed underbanked, it’s time to reconsider your current banking situation. Perhaps you’ve recently been denied for a checking account because of your past history that’s been recorded in ChexSystems. Alternatively, maybe you just assume that since you’ve had issues with non-sufficient funds or unpaid overdraft fees, you won’t be able to open another checking account anytime soon.
Both of these scenarios are myths. There plenty of banks and credit unions throughout the state of Texas that either doesn’t run a ChexSystems report or are still willing to approve you if you meet other qualifications.
No matter where you live or what kind of banking history you have, check out this extensive list of second chance checking accounts and banks that don’t use ChexSystems in Texas. You’re sure to be surprised at how quickly you can be approved for a checking account when you actually find the right bank or credit union to work with. Plus, most of these financial institutions allow for upgrades to other accounts once you have 6 to 12 months of positive history with your second chance account.
BBVA Compass ClearChoice Free Checking
For Non-ChexSystems bank available in Texas with an online application, try the BBVA Compass is the ClearChoice Free Checking account. This is another option with no monthly fee and a low opening balance of just $25. You don’t have to worry about a paper statement fee, both that and e-statements are free.
Additionally, you can opt-in to pay for customizable services. For instance, for small monthly fees, you can get free ATM transactions, unlimited supply of checks, or unlimited cashier’s checks.
BBVA Compass ClearConnect Checking
Another option available in Texas is the BBVA Compass ClearConnect Checking account. You can avoid paying any monthly fee, and the small $3 monthly fee for paper statements can be waived if you opt for e-statements. To open a ClearConnect account, you need just $25 to get started.
You can take advantage of BBVA Wallet, an app that helps you manage your account. Your everyday purchases can also earn you cash through the Simple Cash Back program. Plus, the account also gets you access to banking services like online banking, mobile banking, mobile deposit, and bill play.
Allied Federal Credit Union
Allied Federal Credit Union offers a Fresh Start Checking account for individuals who have had a negative history with past financial institutions. Once you’re approved, you can access your account for $10 a month. The opening deposit is just $25.
You can also benefit from several other banking services from Allied FCU. These include free virtual branch home banking, bill pay, Mobiliti touch banking, and unlimited transactions. You’re also able to sign up for overdraft services and direct deposit. There’s even a rewards program called UChoose Rewards
American Airlines Credit Union
Employees in the airline industry can become a member of American Airlines Credit Union and apply for their second chance account, which is called Ascend Checking. It’s a great way to rebuild your checking history. There’s no minimum balance so you don’t have to worry about having a lot of cash on hand to qualify.
The monthly fee is just $12.75 per month, but you can get that reduced to $9.75 if you sign up for direct deposit. You get the usual perks of a modern checking account, including online account management and mobile banking. You won’t, however, be able to use checks with this account. You’ll also need to complete a free credit education course to qualify.
Bancorp South
Try the Second Chance Checking account from Bancorp South, which allows you to work towards a standard account after a year. You can get approved if you have a limited history in ChexSystems. If you qualify, you’ll need a $50 minimum to open the account. You’ll then pay $10 per month. You’ll also have to pay for checks and you won’t have access to bill pay.
You will, however, get other benefits with the Second Chance Checking account. These include mobile and online banking, plus access to BudgetWi$e, a free budgeting tool. You can also access in-person help at Texas branches in Goldthwaite and Mason.
Bank of the Ozarks
You could be approved for the Pathway Checking account from Bank of the Ozarks if you’ve been denied by other banks in the past. The minimum amount to open an account is $50 but after that, you don’t need to maintain a minimum balance. The monthly service fee for this one is $10 and you won’t earn interest like some of Bank OZK’s other checking accounts.
There are quite a few benefits that you will gain access to with the Pathway Checking account. They offer unlimited check writing, as well as free bill pay for up to 15 payments per month. After that, you’ll pay $0.50 for each payment afterward.
Carmine State Bank
Carmine State Bank offers a straightforward application for checking accounts, requiring just a driver’s license and social security card. With a checking account from Carmine, you can get the following benefits:
- Unlimited check writing
- Monthly statements
- Low minimum balance requirements (waived for students and seniors)
- Free Visa debit card
- Free internet banking
If you live close to Carmine, Texas, this could be a viable checking option for you, regardless of your ChexSystems history.
Chemcel Federal Credit Union
Located in Houston, Dallas, and Corpus Christi, Texas, Chemcel FCU uses Telecheck to approve applicants rather than ChexSystems. There are a couple of different checking options, including Free Kasasa Cash Back Checking and Free Kasasa Tunes Checking.
There’s no monthly maintenance fee for either account. On top of that, you can get up to a $25 refund on ATM fees each month. The minimum opening deposit for both is just $25 but you may be able to qualify for a promotion waiving that amount.
Chocolate Bayou Credit Union
The Clean Slate Checking account from Chocolate Bayou Credit Union can help get your checking history back on track. The cost is low for a second chance account, coming in at just $5 per month. Plus, you get unlimited check writing, an unlimited cash back rewards program, and you’ll earn dividends if you keep at least $50 in your account.
Chocolate Bayou Credit Union has branch locations in both Alvin, Texas and Pearland, Texas. To become a member, you just need to bring in a qualifying form of identification and open a savings account with just $5. It’s an easy process to get back to banking with the Clean Slate Checking account.
City Credit Union
City Credit Union is located in throughout the greater Dallas area in Texas. They use Telecheck rather than ChexSystems to open new accounts so depending on your history there, you could get approved. The Basic Checking account is free and requires just a $25 opening deposit to get started.
Plus, you’ll get a variety of benefits, including online banking and bill pay, mobile banking, free cashier’s checks, and free notary services. You can also sign up for overdraft protection.
Corporate America Family Federal Credit Union
Members of Corporate America Family Federal Credit Union can apply for the Fresh Start Checking account. You’re required to keep $100 in your Regular Share Account. But if you can maintain that balance, you’ll only have to pay $10 a month as a monthly fee for your checking.
You can also sign up to take a free online class called Get In Balance. Use it to learn the most effective ways to become a successful account holder.
Neighborhood Credit Union
For $20 a month, Neighborhood CU offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking. Intended for applicants who have been denied access to other banks because of their history with ChexSystems, Fresh Start requires an initial deposit of $25 to open an account.
After six months of maintaining their account in good standing, and completing a financial educational workshop, applicants are eligible to get a standard checking account NCU.
To qualify for membership, applicants must either live or work in Texas’s Dallas County, Ellis County, or the City of Arlington. Applicants can also either live, work, worship, or attend school within ten miles of the following branches: Coppell, Grand Prairie, Highland Village, or Richardson.
North East Texas Credit Union
North East Texas CU uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems, plus offers a Fresh Start Checking account. To open an account, new members must make an initial deposit of $100 and pay a $10 a month monthly service fee. Members are also required to keep a pledge balance of $50 in the account at all times.
Debit cards can be obtained with a $5 a month fee, but this fee can be waived if you take a financial counseling course. After all requirements are met, members can apply for a standard checking account.
Pantex Federal Credit Union
Pantex Federal Credit Union uses your credit report instead of your data from Telecheck or Chexsystems. To become a member you have to work, live, go to school, or worship in Hutchinson County or the Pampa area of Texas. Members don’t have to pay a monthly service fee, nor are there any minimum balance requirements. You also get free access to over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the world, as well as automatic overdraft protection.
Primeway Federal Credit Union
Primeway FCU uses Telecheck during an applicant’s screening process instead of ChexSystems. They offer three checking accounts for new members: Youth Checking, eChecking, and Premier Checking. EChecking doesn’t require a minimum balance, but if you’re able to keep high balances, Premier Checking may be for you. Premier Checking gives monthly dividends with no service fees.
Peoples Bank
Peoples Bank offers a checking account for applicants who need to repair their financial history. Called Second Chance Checking, it only requires an initial deposit of $30 to open and there’s no required minimum balance. All members get unlimited check writing, as well as free access to online banking, bill pay, and mobile banking. After 12 months has elapsed, account holders may be eligible to apply for a standard banking account with Peoples Bank.
Premier America Credit Union
For applicants who have past ChexSystems records on their account, Premier America CU offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start. A minimum deposit of $25 is required to open an account, and there is a monthly service fee of $13. This amount can be reduced to $10 if the applicant is able to have $200 or more directly deposited into the account.
All accounts must be opened directly in a branch, which are located in two locations in Houston, Texas. Each member gets free online and bill pay, free mobile banking (including remote deposit), and free access to over 30,000 fee-free ATMs.
Prestige Community Credit Union
Prestige Community CU offers an account called Fresh Start Checking. Fresh Start is a second chance checking account for applicants who need to repair their financial checking history. It has a monthly service fee of $15 without direct deposit, and $10 with direct deposit, but does not require a minimum required balance. Members get instant access to a variety of benefits, including:
- Free bill pay
- Free online banking
- Free ATM withdrawals
- Free unlimited Check writing
- Free unlimited debit card use
Applicants who keep their account in good standing for six months are eligible to apply for a standard checking account.
Rio Bank
Rio Bank offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking. An initial deposit of $100 is required to open an account. Additionally, members are required to pay a monthly service of $11.56, as well as a monthly debit card fee of $1.46.
All Rio Bank members get access to over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs worldwide, free eStatements, free online and mobile banking, free remote deposit, free email and text alerts, and free bill pay. Currently, Rio Bank has eight branch locations located in Palmview, McAllen, San Juan, Weslaco, Harlingen, and Brownsville, Texas.
River City Federal Credit Union
In contrast to most banks, River City Credit Union uses Telechecks in lieu of ChexSystems. It’s primarily based in San Antonio, but there are numerous CO-OP shared branches nationwide. A checking account with River City offers mobile banking, $0 monthly fees, and no minimum balance requirement.
If needed, River City also offers Fresh Start Checking. You get all the benefits of banking with River City, and only have to pay a small monthly service charge. This allows you to improve your financial history while also getting to use of all modern banking technologies.
SELECT Federal Credit Union
SELECT Federal offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking. A $25 minimum deposit is required, as well as a $10 monthly service fee. To join, you’ll need to either live, be employed, worship, or study in Eastside San Antonio, Texas.
A second chance checking account is a great way to stay within a traditional ChexSystems based bank and repair your financial history. After 12 months has elapsed, you should qualify for a standard banking account with SELECT FCU.
SouthSide Bank
Try Next Checking, a second chance account from SouthSide Bank. You’re still in the ChexSystems network, so if you open an account and keep it in good standing you will restore your checking history.
A $50 deposit is required to get started with Next Checking, and after that, there is a $9.95 monthly service fee. With SouthSide you get online banking, a free debit card, and free bill pay. Currently, SouthSide Bank has nine Texas branches located in Palestine, Jacksonville, Flint, Bullard, Tyler, Chandler, and Gun Barrel City.
Shell Federal Credit Union
In contrast to most banks, River City Credit Union uses Telechecks in lieu of ChexSystems. It’s primarily based in San Antonio, but there are numerous CO-OP shared branches nationwide. A checking account with River City offers mobile banking, $0 monthly fees, and no minimum balance requirement.
If needed, River City also offers Fresh Start Checking. You get all the benefits of banking with River City, and only have to pay a small monthly service charge.
Smart Financial Credit Union
Smart Financial Credit uses Telecheck while screening new applicants. It’s a great alternative that currently offers three types of checking accounts. All accounts require different minimum deposits but come with the same modern perks: bill pay, mobile and online access, remote deposit, and overdraft protection. The monthly service charge is $10, but this can be waived if you have $500 or more directly deposited into your account each month.
Star of Texas Credit Union
Star of Texas Credit Union offers a second chance checking account to help applicants get back into regular checking. The monthly service fee is only $10 a month, and it requires a $50 initial deposit. A $100 savings deposit is also required. This money is released after the member has held both accounts in good standing for 12 months.
The Second Chance Checking account comes with a few different perks, including a free box of checks, Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, Home Banking, and access to over 250 ATMs across the Austin area. After 12 months have passed, you can apply for a standard checking account.
Texas Bay Area Credit Union
Texas Bay Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of credit reports and ChexSystems while screening new applicants. Branches revolve mainly around the Houston area, but members get shared branch access with other credit unions across the U.S. with their Texas Bay membership. All members get the following:
- Free sign-gift
- Free mobile banking
- Free remote deposit
- Free online banking
- Free debit card
- Free Apple Pay
The checking account is entirely free, so members never have to worry about monthly service charges, per check charges, or required minimum balances. Members also have access to the Allpoint Surcharge-free ATM network. This network has over 55,000 ATMs across the world.
Texas Gulf Bank
Texas Gulf Bank uses Telecheck in lieu of Chexsystems while screening new applicants. If you’ve been denied membership to other banks because of information on your ChexSystems account, a Telecheck oriented bank may be your answer. TGB currently has nine branch locations, which start in Houston and proceed south to Freeport.
Though it’s physically focused in the Houston area, TGB is a very tech-oriented bank. Everything can be done online or via mobile, but they also have a sophisticated phone center, too. Texas Gulf Bank gives members everything they could ever expect from a modern bank. If you are in the Houston area, put this bank on your shortlist.
Tarrant County’s Credit Union
Tarrant County offers Fresh Start Checking for applicants whose credit report has a few negative entries on it. There’s no minimum deposit to open, nor is there a monthly service fee. You get free online banking and bill pay, a free MasterCard debit card, unlimited check writing, and access to thousands of non-surcharge ATMs across the nation.
The only drawback is that you have to be associated with Tarrant County in some way. You must live, work, worship, or attend school in Tarrant County to be eligible. If you are, a completed application with a $5 savings deposit is all that’s needed to join.
Texas People Federal Credit Union
If you’ve been denied membership to other banks because of information in ChexSystems, try the Opportunity Checking account from Texas People FCU. Keep your account in good standing, and an account with Texas People will strengthen your financial history.
An initial fee of $20 along with an opening deposit of $100 is all that is needed to open an account. From there on the monthly fee is only $7. You also must have a physical address, and be able to sign up for direct deposit to be eligible.
United San Antonio Community Federal Credit Union
United San Antonio provides a Do-Over Checking Account. With membership, this second chance checking account is still a part of the ChexSystems network, so if you maintain a good account with them you’ll also strengthen your financial history.
To open an account you only need to make an initial deposit of $25, but after that, there isn’t a minimum balance requirement. The monthly fee is only $10, but membership with United San Antonio gets you a free MasterCard debit card, unlimited checking, and 24/7 online access. Keep your account in good standing, and you’ll be able to upgrade to a no-fee checking account after 12 months.
United Heritage Credit Union
If you have a proper ID, as well as a healthy Telecheck history, United Heritage CU offers a second chance checking account. With branch locations in Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Kyle, Lakeway, River Place, Round Rock, and Tyler, it’s one of the more accessible banks in Texas.
They’re also a part of 5,000 shared branches nationwide and are in the national Co-Op ATM network, which means you have access to over 35,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the nation. Open an account with only $20, and get access to free mobile banking, free online banking, and free bill pay. There are no per check charges, and for only $5.95 you can get access to premier perks.
United SA Federal Credit Union
United SA offers a second chance checking account called Do Over Checking. Your account is still logged with ChexSystems, so you’ll be able to generate positive financial history with this account. You get unlimited check writing, six overdraft protection transfers a month, and there is no minimum balance requirement.
The monthly fee is only $10 a month. This is a great bank if you’re in the San Antonio region, as there are six branches to choose from.
Union Bank
Union Bank is a ChexSystems bank, but they’re lenient where others are not. If your ChexSystems record is at least a year old, has been paid, and does not indicate fraud, Union Bank may consider you for membership. Many people are denied membership to banks because of only one entry on their ChexSystems record. If this is you, Union Bank may very well strongly consider your application.
More good news is that if the entry is older than three years, Union Bank won’t consider the ChexSystems record at all as long as fraud isn’t thought to be an issue. Either way, you only need $100 to open an account, which is a small deposit considering you’ll be strengthening your financial history with them from day one.
Unity One Credit Union
Unity One Credit Union offers second chance checking called Clean Start Checking. It only requires a $50 deposit to open, but from then on only costs $10 a month with direct deposit and doesn’t require a minimum balance. After just 12 months of keeping your account in good standing, you can qualify for a free checking account with Unity One. In the meantime, Clean Start comes with a wide array of features to keep you happy, including:
- Free Bill Pay
- Free Overdraft Protection (up to 6 a month)
- Access to thousands of surcharge-free ATMs
- Online and mobile friendly
- Free E-Statements
- Can add the Savings Cents debit card
- Free E-alerts
Velocity Credit Union
Velocity Credit Union uses ChexSystems, but offers a second chance checking account called Access Checking. There is a one time fee of $10 to open up the account, and thereafter a $15 a month monthly service fee. It’s designed to help applicants get back into a traditional banking account, such as Totally Free Checking or Check Plus, which don’t have any monthly fees.
Maintain a good account for 12 months, and Velocity Credit Union allows applicants to switch over to one of their other checking accounts. Velocity is primarily an Austin-based bank but allows applicants from Travis and other surrounding counties to join.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo has a second chance checking account tailored for people who have either had trouble with banks in the past or whose credit report could be better. Called Opportunity Checking, this account is good for people who don’t have a spotless history with ChexSystems, or who have a few negative entries on their credit report.
Opportunity Checking costs $10 a month if you sign up for eStatements, but you can get this fee waived a number of ways. You can either make 10 debit purchases a month, have at least $750 directly deposited each month, or maintain a daily balance of $2,000 a month.
Western Federal Credit Union
Western Federal Credit Union offers a second chance checking account for applicants who have been denied membership to banks because of information from ChexSystems. Called Right Start Checking, this checking account can be opened with only a $25 initial deposit, but from there on does not require a minimum balance.
You also won’t be responsible for any monthly fees and can write as many checks as you need. If needed, Right Start Checking also comes with overdraft protection up to $250. Lastly, get free access to eBanking with this one of a kind second chance banking account.
Woodforest National Bank
Woodforest offers members a second chance banking account. If you have had troubles with banks in the past, Woodforest will likely open an account with you. To begin, you’ll need to make an opening deposit of $25, and pay a one-time account set-up fee of $9.00. The monthly service fee is $9.95 if you sign up for direct deposit, but if you don’t it’s $11.95.
An account with Woodforest gives you everything you need from a bank. With Second Chance Checking, you get access to both online and mobile banking, as well as overdraft protection plans.