Second Chance Checking Accounts in Utah

Opening a checking account in Utah can be harder when your banking history shows unpaid fees, overdrafts, or other negative marks. Many banks and credit unions review ChexSystems or similar reports, which can cause past account problems to affect new applications.

Second chance checking accounts can help you rebuild while restoring access to basic financial tools. Several Utah banks and credit unions offer these accounts for customers who need a more flexible way forward.

13 Banks & Credit Unions Offering Second Chance Bank Accounts in Utah

Below is a list of second chance checking options in Utah for those working to recover from past banking challenges.

You can also compare banks that don’t use ChexSystems in Utah for another route to opening a new checking account.

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.

Alpine Credit Union

Alpine Credit Union offers the Fresh Start Spending Account for members who have had past banking challenges and need a way to rebuild.

The account has no minimum balance requirement and includes a free Alpine Visa debit card, online banking, bill pay, mobile app access, and card controls. There is a $7 monthly administrative fee.

Fresh Start accounts are not eligible for Courtesy Pay or mobile deposit. After 12 months of positive account history, you may become eligible to apply for another Alpine spending account and add features such as Courtesy Pay Protection and mobile deposit.

The account must be opened in person at an Alpine Credit Union branch. Alpine has locations in American Fork, Eagle Mountain, Highland, Lehi, and Orem.

American United Federal Credit Union

American United Federal Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking for individuals working to rebuild their banking history with ChexSystems.

The account includes free online and mobile banking with mobile deposit, free bill pay, eStatements, and an end-of-year reward dividend.

There’s a $20 opening fee and a $7 monthly service charge, which drops to $4 if you maintain a balance of $750 or more. Members also get access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

Branch locations include Grantsville, Sandy, Salt Lake City, Sunnyside, and West Valley City.

Bank of Utah

Bank of Utah offers Thrive Checking, a low-cost account for people who may have had past banking challenges.

The account can be opened with as little as $5. It has no monthly fee, no overdraft fees, no returned-item fees, and no monthly balance requirement.

It also includes a Visa debit card, online banking, mobile banking, bill pay, account alerts, direct deposit, and access to MoneyPass ATMs.

Thrive Checking is Bank On certified. To open the account, you cannot have an unpaid negative balance on a previously closed checking or savings account at any financial institution.

If you had a negative balance in the past, Bank of Utah says you must show proof that it has been paid in full.

Bank of Utah is headquartered in Ogden and serves customers through branches across Utah.

Cyprus Credit Union

Cyprus Credit Union provides Fresh Start Checking to help those with a troubled banking record get back on track.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit and carries a $5 monthly fee. It comes with free online banking, bill pay, unlimited check writing, and a Visa debit card.

After 12 months of positive account history, you may qualify to upgrade to a standard checking account.

Membership is available to Salt Lake City residents, relatives of current members, employees of participating companies, or anyone in Utah who makes a $5 donation to the Community Recreation Association.

Branches are located in Centerville, Draper, Salt Lake City, and West Valley City.

Freedom Credit Union

Freedom Credit Union offers Secured Checking for people who are trying to recover from past financial challenges.

The account has a $5 monthly maintenance fee and requires $100 to be kept in a savings account. It gives you access to standard checking features while giving you a path toward a regular account.

Freedom’s goal is to help you move into one of its free checking options after your Secured Checking account has been open for 12 months.

Freedom Credit Union has branches in Provo and Springville.

Granite Credit Union

Granite Credit Union offers the Simple Spend Account, a checkless account that can work well if you have had trouble qualifying for a traditional checking account.

The account has no monthly fee and no minimum balance to open. It comes with a free Visa debit card, online banking, mobile banking, online bill pay, Zelle, direct deposit, and access to thousands of ATMs.

Because Simple Spend does not offer checks or Courtesy Pay, it can help you avoid overdraft-related problems and keep your spending tied more closely to the money in your account. Granite also says the account is Bank On certified.

Granite Credit Union has branches in several Utah communities, including Clearfield, Eagle Mountain, Midvale, Millcreek, Ogden, Riverton, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, Taylorsville, West Jordan, and West Valley.

Members First Credit Union

Members First Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking for individuals with negative marks on their banking record.

The account has no minimum balance requirement and includes a free Visa debit card, online and mobile banking, bill pay, and direct deposit access. There is a low monthly maintenance fee.

Branches are located in Brigham City, Providence, and Tremonton. Membership is open to those who meet location or eligibility requirements.

WaFd Bank

WaFd Bank provides the Fresh Start Account for those who have been denied a checking account in the past.

It requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $4 monthly fee. Features include online and mobile banking, person-to-person payments, and no overdraft fees.

After maintaining positive account history, you may upgrade to a standard account.

In Utah, WaFd Bank has locations in Draper, Layton, Logan, Murray, Price, and Salt Lake City.

Wasatch Peaks Credit Union

Wasatch Peaks Credit Union may offer checking accounts to those with past banking challenges, even though they are not labeled specifically as second chance accounts.

Features may include online and mobile banking, bill pay, a free debit card, and access to financial tools for budgeting and account management.

Some accounts have no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. Approval depends on your individual situation, so speaking with a representative is recommended.

Branches are located in Morgan, Ogden, Plain City, Pleasant View, Roy, and West Haven. Membership is available to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in eligible areas.

Know of a second chance account we missed?

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