Banking Checking Accounts

8 Banks With No Credit Check To Open an Account [November 2025]

You can find no-credit-check bank accounts at banks near you, online banks, financial technology (fintech) companies, and more. If you're looking for a checking account (or savings option) you can open with no hard credit check, here are the ones we recommend.

Updated Nov. 10, 2025
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This story is updated regularly by our editorial team to maximize accuracy and helpfulness.

When you have poor credit, you'll probably gravitate toward banks that don't check your credit when you open an account, and that also will help you make the most of your money. We recommend no-credit-check bank accounts, also called second-chance bank accounts, if you have bad credit.

You can find no-credit-check bank accounts with many national institutions, as well as regional banks and credit unions. Online banks and fintechs also provide these account options, including both checking accounts and savings accounts. So no matter how you like to bank, you can avoid checks you don't want.

How we rate products

Featured checking account with no credit impact

bonus icon Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% Boost on Savings APY for 6 months on new accounts with eligible Direct Deposit. Terms Apply.1
SoFi Checking and Savings
5.0
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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo
  • Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.30% APY on Savings (3.60% APY2with +0.70% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with eligible direct deposit. Terms Apply.1
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees3
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit4
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million5
Learn More
on SoFi's secure website

Do banks check your credit when you apply for an account?

Most banks don't perform a hard credit check when you apply for a checking savings account, but many do look at your ChexSystems report. ChexSystems is like a report card for your banking behavior. It tracks deposit-account-related information like bounced checks, overdrafts, and account closures, and banks, credit unions, and other entities can request access to it. Banks use this information to assess the risk of allowing new customers to open bank accounts, but this report doesn't turn up credit details such as your credit score or debt. In other words, banks aren't looking to see whether you have bad credit. They're looking for flawed banking histories.

ChexSystems reports and credit reports are different, so having your ChexSystems history checked is different from having your credit checked (often referred to as a hard credit check or pull). No-credit-check bank accounts are an option to consider if you specifically want to avoid having your credit checked, and many banks that offer these accounts don't use ChexSystems.

Here are the checking accounts with no credit check that we recommend when you're banking with bad credit, along with the best ways to use them.

Best banks with no credit check

As you'll see, there's no shortage of bank accounts with no hard credit checks and no deposit requirements. There are also a few bank accounts we recommend that do have deposit requirements or monthly fees, but are still worth considering if you want to avoid hard credit checks.

We've reviewed dozens of no-credit-check banks and companies to put together this list of second-chance checking and savings accounts. Here are some of the easiest bank accounts to open online with bad credit.

Bank account Best for Checks credit? Monthly fees Overdraft protection
SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi Checking and Savings
Savers focused on growing their money No None3 No overdraft fees and overdraft coverage up to $50 with eligible direct deposit6
Truist One Checking

Truist One Checking

Seniors and young adults who might overdraw No $12 (can be waived)7 No overdraft fees and overdraft coverage (Balance Buffer) up to $1008
Chime®
Chime® Checking
People with bad credit No None9 No overdraft fees and overdraft coverage up to $20010
Current
Current11
Teens with no credit No No membership fees12 No overdraft fees and overdraft coverage up to $20013
Bank of America Advantage Banking
Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking®
Families and kids No $0 or $12 No overdraft fees, prevents overdrafts
Varo
Varo Bank Account
People who have had banking trouble No None No overdraft fees, prevents overdrafts
Wells Fargo Clear Access Checking

Wells Fargo Clear Access Checking

College students No $0 or $5 No overdraft fees, prevents overdrafts
Chase Secure Banking People who want to visit branches No $0 or $4.95 No overdraft fees, prevents overdrafts

SoFi® Checking and Savings

Best for savers focused on growing their money

SoFi Checking and Savings
5.0
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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo
  • Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.30% APY2 on your money
  • Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% Boost on Savings APY for 6 months on new accounts with eligible Direct Deposit. Terms Apply.1
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees3
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit4
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million5
Learn More
on SoFi's secure website

SoFi®'s no-hard-credit-check account combines checking and savings under one metaphorical roof, making it one of the best options we've found for keeping your banking simple and your account applications to a minimum. We chose SoFi Checking and Savings for this list because we appreciate that you essentially get two bank accounts, checking and savings, with one application and zero hard credit checks. If you have bad credit, you can avoid unnecessary applications with SoFi while still enjoying a great account.

Avoiding fees and minimums is also important when you're working with a poor or mixed banking history. You won't pay any monthly maintenance, ATM,14, or overdraft fees for this account.3 It also has no minimum opening deposit requirement, so you can open an account now and fund it later.

Other features of this account that make it favorable for no-credit-check banking are early access to your paychecks4 and overdraft coverage with eligible direct deposit. Both of these may help you avoid using a credit card or other form of debt when money is tight, which could help you clean up your credit.

Will SoFi check my credit if I apply for this account?

By its own word, SoFi won't perform a hard credit check when you apply for this account, but will use a soft credit check, which doesn't hurt your credit score, to obtain information about you. What it finds with its soft check won't generally impact your eligibility.

SoFi also won't use your ChexSystems report, which details your banking history, to decide whether you qualify for an account.

Pros
  • Earns up to 3.60% APY15 on savings and 0.50% APY on checking with direct deposit15
  • Offers features to help you make ends meet between paychecks
  • FDIC insurance up to $3 million5
Cons
  • Highest APY requires direct deposit or $5,000 in qualifying deposits

Visit SoFi | Read our SoFi® review

Truist One Checking

Best for seniors and young adults who might overdraw

We chose Truist for this list not only because the no-credit-check bank offers access to in-person locations, unlike the online banks we've chosen, but also because Truist One Checking doesn't charge any overdraft fees (which is unusual in a brick-and-mortar bank, and especially nice if you're in a tight spot with money). And its Balance Buffer can give your account an extra cushion of up to $100 for unexpected charges.

We don't love the $12 monthly maintenance fee, but there are six ways to waive it. You can:

  • Maintain a combined monthly average balance of $500 or more across eligible Truist accounts.
  • Make $500 or more in total qualifying direct deposits per statement cycle.
  • Have a Truist credit card, mortgage, or loan (not Lightstream).
  • Have a linked Small Business Checking account.
  • Be younger than 25.
  • Be age 62 or older.

All in all, this is a pretty basic bank account with no credit check, but it's an especially great option if you want to avoid overdraft fees. And if you can qualify to waive the monthly fee, perhaps because you're under 25 or over 62, you're a good fit.

Good to know
This account's monthly service fee and the options to waive it are in line with those of other brick-and-mortar banks.

Truist is FDIC insured.

Pros
  • No overdraft fees
  • FDIC insured
  • Balance Buffer of up to $1008
Cons
  • $12 monthly maintenance fee (can be waived)7
  • $50 minimum opening deposit

Read our Truist review.

Chime® Checking

Best for people with bad credit

Chime®
4.9
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2025 award winner Best for Bad or No Credit
  • No minimum balance, no monthly service fees9
  • Get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit16
  • Eligible Members can access fee-free overdraft up to $20010
  • 50K+ fee-free ATMs nationwide17
  • Automatic savings helps you grow your money faster18
Learn More
on Chime's secure website

There's a lot we like about Chime for people with bad credit, including its credit-building tools and the fact that its checking account doesn't use ChexSystems when you apply for an account. This checking account also has no monthly service fees or overdraft fees9, and its SpotMe® feature offers a fee-free overdraft of up to $200 for eligible members.

To be eligible, you have to receive a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to a Chime checking account. Having your paycheck directly deposited to this account will take care of that requirement.

If you're open to another account with the fintech, I especially like the Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card, and that definitely would have come in handy for me during the years I spent rebuilding my credit.19 This can help you work on rebuilding your credit, which a checking account alone can't do.

I don't love that Chime's savings account only has a 1.00% APY on savings account balances.20 Note that you can't open a savings account without opening a Chime checking account.21 There are higher savings APYs at online companies like SoFi, but if you want to keep all your funds in one place, it's not the worst savings APY either.

Chime, like many financial institutions, offers FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor through its banking partners, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A..

Pros
  • No monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirement9
  • Easily set up transaction and balance alerts
  • Offers SpotMe® overdraft feature 10
Cons
  • No in-person branches
  • SpotMe overdraft feature only available to specific customers
  • 1.00% APY on savings2021

Visit Chime | Read our Chime review.

Alternatives to Chime
If you find Chime appealing but aren't quite sold, other banks similar to Chime that we recommend — and haven't already talked about — include AllyAxos, and EverBank.

Current

Best for teens with no credit

Current
4.6
info
  • High APYs on up to $6,000 in savings
  • Online-only banking service11 offering individual and teen accounts
  • Get paid up to 2 days faster with direct deposit22
  • No monthly maintenance fees12
  • FDIC Insured through Choice Financial Group

For teens looking to start building credit while banking, Current is a strong choice.23 The fintech offers one bank account, like SoFi, but a host of benefits for accountholders, especially those looking to avoid hard credit checks. The reason we recommend a Current account for teens is that anyone can build credit with the account's linked secured credit card. Using the Current Build Visa® Credit Card, you could make regular monthly payments that get reported to the credit bureaus.24 Even ATM swipes count in some instances. Parents do need to open accounts for teens, though.

As you use your Current Visa secured credit card, you can earn 1X on dining and grocery purchases. This is one of the best bank accounts for anyone who wants to build credit without the credit checks required for many traditional credit cards.

You'll qualify for $250,000 in FDIC insurance on your bank accounts through Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank. FDIC insurance doesn't extend to Current's crypto offerings.

You'll pay no monthly membership or annual account fees with Current, and you could earn up to a 4.00% bonus on your savings, but this requires a monthly $200 direct deposit. This is lower than Varo's direct deposit requirement to earn the highest APY, so it's definitely competitive.

Pros
  • Up to 4.00% bonus25
  • Earn up to 7x points at certain merchants
  • No monthly membership or annual account fees12
Cons
  • Minimums required to earn the highest bonus rate
  • No in-person banking options

Visit Current | Read our Current review

Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking®

Best for families and kids

Bank of America Advantage Banking
4.8
info
  • Up to $500 cash offer. Click 'Learn More' for more details
  • Multiple ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee
  • Thousands of ATMs and financial centers
  • 24/7 security with Total Security Protection® and fraud monitoring
  • Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC
Learn More
on Bank of America's secure website

If you like being able to easily deposit cash or talk to a live human being, Bank of America is a good choice. The product we love most from Bank of America Advantage Banking is its SafeBalance for Family Banking account. This is a family-friendly version of the standard Advantage SafeBalance Banking account, offering mobile banking to children as young as six, with features commonly found in kids' debit cards, such as parental controls and monitoring.

Every version of this account a relatively modest monthly maintenance fee of $4.95, with options for a $0 monthly fee instead if you or your child are under 25, you keep a minimum daily balance of $500, or you're a member of Bank of America Preferred Rewards®.26

Like the best second-chance banking accounts, this account doesn't charge overdraft item fees. It requires a minimum deposit of $100 to open.27

Bank of America accounts are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor.

Pros
  • Thousands of ATMs and financial centers
  • Application doesn't impact your credit score
  • Peace of mind with a $0 Liability Guarantee28
  • Member FDIC
Cons
  • Monthly service fee unless you meet certain requirements
  • Doesn't earn interest
  • Has overdraft fees

Visit Bank of America | Read our Bank of America Advantage Banking review

Varo Bank Account

Best for people who have had banking trouble

We recommend all the banks on this list for second-chance banking, but Varo is one of the best options we've found for this because of the many ways it encourages you to improve your finances and offers to help you when you're in a bind. Between its free online checking account, automated savings features, cash advances, and credit-builder card, you can work on whatever you need to tackle to get your credit and overall financial health in a better place.

Like other companies on this list, Varo has no fees on either of its savings or checking accounts. And while its 5.00% (as of 05/27/25) APY promise on its savings account is inviting at first, do be aware that only the first $5,000 in deposits qualify. Still, you'll earn a decent APY of 2.50% (as of 05/19/25) on deposits after that threshold. And you need to receive qualifying direct deposits of $1,000 or more each month to get the highest APY. Those are pretty steep requirements, especially compared to a company like SoFi, which only requires direct deposit, but no specific amount.

More importantly, Varo offers a cash advance of up to $500, which is twice as much as competitor Chime. You start with anywhere from $20 to $250, based on your account history and other factors, and then you could potentially work your way up to $500. You do need to have at least $800 in qualifying direct deposits during the current or previous month to qualify.

As for FDIC insurance, Varo Bank, National Association (Cert. #59190) provides each depositor with $250,000 in coverage.

Pros
  • Get paid up to two days early29
  • Cash advances up to $500
  • 5.00% (as of 05/27/25) APY on savings
Cons
  • 5.00% (as of 05/27/25) APY is limited to up to $5,000 in deposits
  • No standalone savings account

Visit Varo  | Read our Varo review

Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking

Best for college students

Wells Fargo might not be the first bank you think of for beginner banking, but it should be one you consider if you're a student. Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking is an ideal student account because it's specifically geared toward a younger crowd (and people looking for second-chance checking), and you can even open the account as a minor without a parent. If you're 17, you can visit a branch and open it on your own. If you're between 13 and 16, you'll need an adult as a joint owner.

Account owners under 24 automatically have the $5 monthly maintenance fee waived, plus those with linked Wells Fargo Campus ATM or Debit Cards. Unlike many accounts with waivable monthly fees, you can't actually avoid the fee by maintaining a certain balance.

This account is one of the only ones we're including on our list with a minimum deposit requirement, but there's no minimum to keep the account or avoid extra charges. Right now, this account offers a welcome bonus of up to $125 if you open a new account with at least $25 and make 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days. This offer is valid until October 15, 2025. If you open an account in person, sign up for a bonus offer code first and present it to a banker.

Pros
  • Monthly maintenance fee automatically waived for people under 24
  • May feature welcome bonuses for new accounts
  • No overdraft fees
  • Get paid up to two days early
Cons
  • Must visit a branch to open if you're 17 or under
  • Wells Fargo has been involved in scandals and lawsuits over the years
  • Wells Fargo charges out-of-network ATM fees

Read our Wells Fargo banking review.

Editor's note
If you visit the application page, you'll notice that this account advertises that it's "Bank On certified," which means that it meets standards set by the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund for publicly available deposit accounts. These standards include, among other features, providing access to underbanked or unbanked people and features that are in demand. There are 498 accounts on this list, including the Capital One 360 Checking Account, the U.S. Bank Safe Debit Account, Citi Access Checking, and many on our list, but Wells Fargo seems particularly proud of its certification.

Chase Secure Banking

Best for people who want to visit branches

Another big bank, Chase also offers an option for second-chance banking in the form of its Chase Secure Banking account. This account is designed to help you avoid negative balances. It charges no overdraft fees, unlike all other Chase accounts, and only offers overdraft protection in the form of declining transactions that would cause a negative balance. Don't have it? Can't spend it.

There's only one way to avoid the account's $4.95 monthly fee. You have to receive at least $250 in qualifying electronic deposits each statement period, which can include payroll deposits or government benefits. But if you're someone who occasionally overdrafts with your current account, you already know that overdraft fees each cost several times more than this modest fee, which might be worth paying. You could choose this account if you want to avoid negative balances altogether, rather than be allowed to overdraw up to a certain limit (as many options on this list, including SoFi, Chime, and Current, offer).

What stands out as this account's greatest strength is its in-person access. Whether you like to visit bank branches to make friends with tellers or just make the occasional cash deposit, Chase is a good option no matter where you are in the country. The big bank boasts more branches than any institution, with around 5,000 locations in the U.S.

Pros
  • Very large branch network
  • Access your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit
  • Relatively low monthly deposit requirement to waive fee
Cons
  • No overdraft coverage
  • Only one way to avoid monthly maintenance fee

Read our Chase Bank review.

How to choose a no-credit-check bank account

Some accounts are better than others if you have bad credit or an imperfect banking history and want to avoid checks when opening an account. Consider all of these features when comparing second-chance bank accounts you can open with bad credit.

  • Focus on second-chance bank accounts: As a general rule, ensure you're specifically looking for second-chance checking or savings accounts when you want to avoid credit or ChexSystems checks.
  • Avoid minimums and monthly fees when you can: If you're working on repairing your credit, you don't want to add unnecessary expenses or stressors to your budget. Look for checking accounts with no fees and minimums (or low fees and minimums).
  • Check for overdraft protection: Many of the best no-credit-check bank accounts charge no overdraft fees, but some protect you from overdrafts by simply declining them. In contrast, others offer overdraft coverage to let you spend beyond your balance up to a limit. Consider what's safe for you when comparing banks with overdraft protection.
  • Look for banks that offer credit support: Many companies and banks that provide second-chance banking also offer credit-monitoring tools via their mobile apps or credit-building accounts, such as secured credit cards.
  • Prioritize features to help you save: If you're reckoning with debt that might be driving your poor credit, make it a priority to save what you can, when you can. That can help you repay your debt and clean up your budget. Look for bank accounts with automated savings tools, the ability to create goals, and high interest rates.
  • Consider how you want to access your account. If you don't mind banking online or using a mobile app, online banks and fintechs will be suitable for you. But if you want the option to visit bank branches, you'll need to go with a brick-and-mortar bank.

Can you open a checking account with bad credit?

Yes, it's entirely possible to open a bank account with bad credit. Banks don't typically factor your credit score into decisions about your application for a checking or savings account, and even an imperfect ChexSystems report won't always keep you from qualifying for and opening a new bank account.

If you've had trouble with banking in the past, maybe because you've had accounts with consistently negative balances or unpaid fees, prioritize bank accounts that don't use ChexSystems so you aren't denied for an account. These are often referred to as second-chance bank accounts.

We've researched dozens of institutions and banks without credit checks to find the best no-credit-check bank accounts. Online-only banks and fintechs stood out in our research for offering excellent perks without requiring hard credit checks or deposits. However, some in-person banks also offer accounts that are ideal for second-chance banking. Note that while second-chance checking accounts don't necessarily guarantee approval for everyone, they could make it easier for more people to qualify.

Credit reports vs. ChexSystems reports

Credit report ChexSystems report
Details debt and borrowing history Details banking history
Pulled when you apply for new credit (e.g., credit card or loan) Often pulled when you apply for a new bank account
Red flags for lenders: Late payments, high debt-to-income ratios Red flags for banks: Overdrafts, negative balances, account closures
Score range: 300-850 Score range: 100-899

How to build or improve your credit

Building credit requires patience and strategy. Whether you're looking to qualify for better loan rates, secure a rental agreement, or simply improve your financial health, taking steps to boost your creditworthiness can open doors. Here are a few ways to improve or repair your credit.

Create a budget

One of the first steps you should take when setting out to improve your credit or establish it for the first time is to create a spending plan. With a budget or spending plan in place, you can better manage your expenses, work to reduce your debt, and be more likely to avoid debt (and the pitfalls that come with it).

Consider signing up for a budgeting app such as Quicken Simplifi, Monarch Money, or Rocket Money to help you track your spending and set budgeting goals.

Pay your bills on time

Paying your bills, credit card payments, and loan payments on time can go a long way in improving your credit score. Payment history is a major factor in determining your creditworthiness.

Reduce your credit card balances where possible

Your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of potential credit you have versus how much of that credit line you are actually using, also affects your score. Try to keep your credit card balances low relative to your credit limit, ideally no more than 30% of your available credit.

Having trouble paying off debt?
If you're struggling to pay off credit cards and loans, consider strategies to simplify repayment. Debt consolidation, balance transfer credit cards, and the debt avalanche payoff method are all legitimate debt payoff strategies that could help you save on interest and repay debt faster.

Avoid opening too many accounts

Opening multiple new credit accounts within a short period can lower your average account age and potentially cause a dip in your credit score. Be cautious about applying for new credit unless necessary.

Don't close your old accounts

Older accounts can help improve credit scores because they extend your overall borrowing history, and the age of accounts is another factor affecting your score. Closing old credit cards can also cause your credit utilization rate to increase, as you have less available credit. Even if you never use a line of credit, keeping it open can help mature your credit age over time.

Monitor your credit report

Regularly checking your credit report can help you identify any errors or fraudulent activity that may be affecting your credit score. You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year. You could also sign up for a credit monitoring service such as Credit Karma or Credit Sesame, where you'll get free access to your credit score, reports, and monitoring. 

Alternatively or additionally, many banks offer free credit score monitoring.

FAQs

What bank account can I open with no credit check?

We've chosen all of the accounts on this list because they can be opened without a hard credit check, meaning you can qualify with bad credit. Our list includes popular options from some of the best fintechs, such as SoFi Checking and Savings, Chime Checking, and Current accounts, as well as great no-credit-check accounts from Truist, Varo, and Bank of America.

These checking accounts are friendlier to people with bad credit because they don't use hard credit checks to determine your eligibility, which means you can qualify regardless of your score. Many don't use ChexSystems to determine your eligibility, either.

Featured Checking Accounts

5.0
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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo
SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.30% APY on Savings (3.60% APY2with +0.70% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with eligible direct deposit. Terms Apply.1 FDIC Insured.5
Learn More

Ask the experts

No-credit-check bank accounts create new pathways toward financial inclusion. We recently asked a panel of experts what this trend means for consumers and how it could shape the future of finance. Here's what they had to say.

Why are banks that don't require credit checks important? Who are they good for?

 

How can a no-credit-check bank account help someone rebuild their financial health or improve their credit over time?


Do no-credit-check bank accounts offer the same financial protections and benefits as traditional ones?


Bottom line

To choose the best bank account for bad credit, consider account requirements and fees, other banking services, in-person and online access, and more. Varo, Truist, Bank of America, and Chime are just a few options we recommend, but you can also check with your local bank or credit union to see if it offers second-chance banking with no credit checks. A reputable prepaid debit card could be an option as well. 

Make sure you're also taking steps to build your credit and working on improving your credit score, so that you have more borrowing and banking flexibility down the road.

5.0
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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo
SoFi Checking and Savings Benefits
  • Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.30% APY on Savings (3.60% APY2with +0.70% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with eligible direct deposit. Terms Apply.1
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees3
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit4
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million5
Open an account with SoFi® here