Second Chance Checking Accounts in Washington, DC

Andrew Collins

A difficult banking history can make it harder to open a checking account in Washington, DC. If your record includes unpaid fees, overdrafts, or other negative marks, some financial institutions may use ChexSystems or similar screening tools to deny your application.

Second chance checking accounts can give you a more workable path back into banking. Some banks and credit unions in the DC area offer these accounts to help you rebuild while still managing day-to-day financial needs.

8 Banks & Credit Unions Offering Second Chance Bank Accounts in Washington, DC

Below you’ll find second chance checking options for DC residents looking to recover from banking challenges and manage their money.

You can also explore banks that don’t use ChexSystems in Washington, DC for another way to open a checking account.

SoFi

Our Top Pick
SoFi
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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.

Apply online →

Current

Current
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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.

Apply online →

Chime

Chime
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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.

Apply online →

Stash

Stash
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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.

Apply online →

CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union

CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union
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CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union offers Second Chance Checking to help people get back on track after past banking challenges.

To apply for an account, you’ll need to visit a branch in person.

Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Alexandria, Washington, DC, Harrisonburg, or Virginia’s Clarke and Warren counties.

Locations are available throughout the Washington, DC metro area, including Alexandria and Springfield. GAO employees can also access an on-site private branch.

Apply online →

Market USA Federal Credit Union

Market USA Federal Credit Union
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Market USA Federal Credit Union provides Fresh Start Checking for those working to rebuild their banking history.

The account has no minimum balance requirement. After six months of responsible account management, you may qualify to upgrade to a standard checking account.

Even without a local branch in Washington, DC, you’ll have access to over 5,000 CO-OP Shared Branch locations and more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

Branches are located nearby in Laurel and Landover, Maryland.

Apply online →

Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union

Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union
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Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union offers Simple Checking, an account made to help you rebuild your banking history after past trouble.

As the credit union puts it, your fresh start starts here, and the account is built to improve your finances and credit as you go.

It takes $25 to open and carries a $10 monthly maintenance fee, with no minimum balance and no overdraft or NSF fees. Instead of overdrawing, a payment you can’t cover is simply returned.

You get a free Visa debit card, free online and mobile banking with mobile deposit, free credit monitoring, and access to more than 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 5,500 shared branches nationwide.

One thing to know: membership is open to people who live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Montgomery County, Maryland, so this option fits DC-area residents with that connection. Mid-Atlantic has branches in Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Silver Spring.

Apply online →

Transit Employees Federal Credit Union

Transit Employees Federal Credit Union
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Transit Employees Federal Credit Union offers the Fresh Start Account, designed for people who may not qualify for a traditional checking account because of past banking problems.

It gives you a way to get back into the banking system and work toward a standard account over time.

The account has fewer features than TEFCU’s regular checking, but it still covers the essentials: online banking, bill pay, eStatements, and a free Visa debit card.

Through the credit union’s shared networks, you also get access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

Transit Employees Federal Credit Union operates one branch in Washington, DC.

Apply online →

Second Chance Banks by State

Choose your state from the list below to find second chance checking accounts and see what options are available near you.

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