Second Chance Checking Accounts in Virginia

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.

The account is designed to give customers another opportunity to establish a banking relationship. It includes no overdraft or NSF fees, helping you avoid additional setbacks while rebuilding your account history.

Smart Start Checking has a $5 monthly fee, which is waived when you enroll in eStatements. C&F Bank also offers a Relationship Review to help determine when you may qualify for another checking option.

C&F Bank has branches in Cartersville, Charlottesville, Chester, Colonial Heights, Cumberland, Fredericksburg, and Henrico, and more.

The account has a low monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, and includes a free ATM card or Visa check card.

You’ll also have access to direct deposit, payroll deduction, unlimited check writing, and free transactions at CVFCU ATMs.

Membership is open to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, or Campbell counties, as well as the City of Lynchburg and the Towns of Altavista and Bedford.

Joining requires a one-time $5 membership fee and a $5 deposit into a CVFCU savings account.

Branch locations are in Forest, Lynchburg, and Madison Heights.

The account requires a $35 minimum balance and has a monthly service fee. You’ll get unlimited check writing, and setting up direct deposit provides access to a Visa check card.

Chartway Credit Union has locations in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

The account includes online and mobile banking, direct deposit, and a debit card with no minimum balance requirement.

Membership is available to those who meet residency, employment, or organizational eligibility requirements, and easy to establish with a $5 deposit into a savings account. You can apply online or in person.

Branches are located in Alexandria and Harrisonburg.

The account is designed as an affordable option for members who have had challenges opening or maintaining a traditional checking account. It has a $10.95 monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.

Choice Checking gives members access to everyday banking features while they work toward a stronger banking history.

Connects Federal Credit Union has branches in Mechanicsville, North Chesterfield, and Richmond.

The account carries a $10 monthly fee and includes a Visa debit card, online banking, and mobile access. After maintaining positive account history for 12 months, you may qualify to upgrade to a standard checking account.

Membership is available to those working in the healthcare industry or at a hospital in Virginia, Washington D.C., or Maryland’s Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

Branches are located in Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Manassas.

The account is designed for people who need a second chance and want an affordable way to rebuild their financial standing.

It requires $20 to open and has a $5 monthly fee, which can be reimbursed through debit card use or monthly login activity.

Essential Checking gives members access to everyday banking features while they work toward stronger account habits.

Langley Federal Credit Union has branches in Carrollton, Chesapeake, Glen Allen, Gloucester, Hampton, Newport News, and Norfolk, and more.

It’s built to be simple and accessible, without the hidden fees that can set you back while you rebuild.

There’s no monthly maintenance fee and no overdraft or NSF fees, and it takes just $25 to open.

The account is checkless, which keeps your spending tied to your balance. It includes a free Visa debit card with mobile pay, free online banking and bill pay, eStatements, and free ATM access through the PULSE and MoneyPass networks.

Oak View is a Virginia community bank serving the outer DC-metro area, with branches in Culpeper, Flint Hill, Marshall, and Warrenton.

The account is designed to give members another opportunity to establish a stronger banking relationship. It helps members return to everyday checking while rebuilding their financial footing.

Fresh Start Checking has a $15 monthly fee, which can be waived with qualifying direct deposit activity.

Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union has branches in Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Petersburg.

The account is designed for people who have made mistakes with a previous checking account and now have trouble opening a new one elsewhere. It gives members a way to rebuild their checking history with a local credit union.

Valley Gold Checking can help you return to everyday banking while developing stronger account habits.

Roanoke Valley Community Federal Credit Union has branches in Roanoke and Salem.

The account provides a second chance for members who want to rebuild their banking history. To qualify, applicants must generally have no more than one charge-off of $500 or less.

Renew Checking requires $1 to open and has a $10 monthly fee. After one year of good account management, members may qualify to move to Basic Checking.

Topside Federal Credit Union has branches in Dahlgren, Fredericksburg, and King George.

The account is designed to help you rebuild your finances while giving you access to everyday banking tools, including a debit card, online banking, mobile banking, and branch support.

Virginia Credit Union also offers savings accounts, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, personal loans, business banking, and financial education resources.

Branch locations are available throughout Central Virginia, Hampton Roads, Southwest Virginia, and the Roanoke area, including former Member One branches that now operate as Virginia Credit Union locations.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit and a one-time $9 setup fee. The monthly maintenance fee is $11.95 but drops to $9.95 with direct deposit enrollment.

Woodforest National Bank has branches in Chesapeake, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Manassas, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and many other locations throughout Virginia.