9 Banks With No Credit Check Needed to Open an Account

Applying for a new bank account can be daunting when your credit is less than stellar. When I had credit issues in the past, I got very discouraged trying to open a bank account. That was before many of the account options on this list were available, though (not to show my age).

Today, getting a bank account without a credit check is easier than it’s ever been. Online-only banks and fintech companies like Discover and SoFi® offer excellent bank accounts that don’t involve a credit check. And in general, many banks no longer perform a hard credit check when you open an account, making it possible for you to truly get the best bank account for your needs.

I’ve rounded up the best options so you can focus on finding the account that makes the most sense for you and your wallet.

Featured checking account with no credit impact

Truist One Checking - $400 Bonus

4.3

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Truist One Checking Benefits

• New checking clients can earn a $400 bonus with qualifying activities¹ <p><b><u>Terms and Conditions for the $400 Truist One Checking Affiliate Offer 1: AFL2425TR1400</u></b></p> <p><b><u>Offer Information</u></b>: Open a new Truist One Checking account <b><u>online</u></b> from 10/31/24 through 4/30/25, receive at least 2 qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $1,000 or more within 120 days of account opening and earn $400.</p> <p> Account must be opened online. Enrollment in the promotion is required at the time of account opening using promo code <b>AFL2425TR1400</b>. Please refer to the Account Opening and Enrollment section below for full instructions.</p> <p>*A qualifying Direct Deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $0.00) of your salary, pension, Social Security or other regular monthly income deposited into your new checking account by your employer or outside agency. Transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits.</p> <p><b><u>Offer Eligibility</u></b>: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 10/31/23 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts only. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer available only to US residents with a valid US taxpayer identification number. The qualifying checking account must be opened online and have a mailing address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC.</p> <p><b><u>Reward Processing</u></b>: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 4 weeks after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. The new checking account must be open and in good standing with a balance of at least $0.01 at the time of Truist verification and until the reward is deposited to receive the reward. Truist verification will occur one time after the qualification requirements are initially met. Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.</p> <p><b><u>Reward Forfeiture</u></b>: Reward forfeiture will occur if: (1) the checking account is changed to an account type not included in this client offer, (2) the checking account is closed prior to the reward being deposited, or (3) the new checking account has a $0.00 or negative available balance at the time Truist verifies the qualification requirements have been met.</p> <p><b><u>Other Terms</u></b>: Minimum opening deposit is $50. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right in our sole discretion to prohibit a reward payout to non-eligible individuals for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist. All promotional payouts will be processed no later than 1/31/26 at which point this promotion (and any related disbursements) will be considered final, and no further disbursements will be made.</p> <p><b><u>Account Opening & Enrollment Instructions</u></b>: To open and enroll your new account in the promotion, visit the offer website and click on “Open an account online.” Enter AFL2425TR1400 into the promo code field provided, review the offer Terms and Conditions, and then select “Accept Offer”. Accounts opened without the promo code applied will not be eligible to participate in the offer. Once enrolled in the promotion, clients may receive promotional updates via the email address provided or by calling 800.709.8700.</p> <p>Version 3 10022024 <b>AFL2425TR1400</b></p>
• No overdraft fee to worry about
• Minimum opening deposit is just $50
• $100 Negative Balance Buffer² <p>The $100 Negative Balance Buffer is only available with Truist One Checking and allows eligible clients to overdraw their account up to $100.</p> <p>All eligibility requirements below must be met to initially qualify for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer:</p> <ul> <li>Account must be opened for a minimum of 35 calendar days</li> <li>Account must be funded and have a positive balance</li> <li>A single direct deposit of at least $100 per month must be made for 2 consecutive months</li> </ul> <p>To remain qualified for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met:</p> <ul> <li>A recurring direct deposit of at least $100 per month</li> </ul> <p>For accounts that qualify for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer and also have Overdraft Protection, Truist will use the $100 Negative Balance Buffer first. If the account has neither, transactions that exceed the account balance will typically be declined or returned.</p> for eligible clients
• Ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee³ <p>The Monthly Maintenance Fee (MMF) can be waived for the Truist One Checking account for each statement cycle by:</p> <p><b>Option 1: Making $500 or more in total qualifying Direct Deposits per statement cycle.</b> A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit via ACH deposited to your account during the current statement cycle. Pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit card/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible to meet this requirement.</p> <p><b>Option 2: Maintaining a total combined ledger balance of $500 or more in any Truist related accounts across personal deposits and all investments as reflected on the business day before your statement cycle end date.</b>A Ledger Balance is actual balance in your account on a specific day and does not reflect any holds or pending transactions. Your Total Combined Balance is the sum of all balances within the Truist personal deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market or CDs), IRAs or brokerage accounts introduced through Truist Investment Services, Inc. Related Accounts automatically includes all applicable accounts associated with primary and secondary account holders.</p> <p><b>Option 3: Having a personal Truist credit card, mortgage or consumer loan, excluding LightStream®. </b></p> <p><b>Option 4: Having a linked Small Business Checking Account.</b> Eligible Small Business account types include: Truist Dynamic Checking, Business Interest Checking, Simple Business Checking and Business Value 200.</p> <p><b>Option 5: Maintenance fees waived for students under the age of 25.</b> Waiver for a student under the age of 25 requires that they are listed as the primary owner. The waiver is applied automatically at account opening and expires on the 25th birthdate of the student or their stated graduation date, whichever comes later. On this date, the account is subject to all applicable fees, including the Monthly Maintenance Fee unless at least one waiver criterion is satisfied.</p> <p><b>Option 6: Primary account owner is age 62 and older.</b></p> <p>Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2024, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.</p>
• Member FDIC

4.3

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Open a Truist One Checking account here

Key takeaways

• Online banking options like Discover offer no monthly maintenance fees for customers looking for simple, easy-to-use accounts.
• Chime®⁴ <p class="">Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.&nbsp;<br></p> is a good choice if your overall goal is improving your credit.
• Banks like GO2bank focus on offering high rewards and annual percentage yields (APYs) but typically charge fees.

Compare the best banks for bad credit

Discover

4.5

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Discover® Cashback Debit

Discover®️ Cashback Checking

Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.⁹ <p>See website for details.</p> No minimum deposit or balance. FDIC Insured.

Learn More

Discover is my top pick because it’s really rare to find a debit card that offers cash back. With Discover’s Cashback Debit Account, you can earn 1% cash back on debit card purchases up to $3,000 each month.

I also like that it has no monthly fees, no fees for insufficient funds or overdrafts, and no minimum balance requirements. With direct deposit, you can even receive your paycheck up to two days early. You can access your money for no cost at over 60,000 fee-free ATMs, which is a very large ATM network.

It is an online-only account, and one of the downsides to that is figuring out how to deposit cash. Discover makes adding cash to your account relatively accessible, as you can make cash deposits into your Discover account at any Walmart location. The minimum cash deposit amount is $20, and within a 24-hour period, you can deposit up to $1,000 (except for Arizona and New Mexico, where the daily limit is $999.99).

Visit Discover or Read our Discover Checking review

Chime®

There’s a lot I like about Chime. It has no monthly service fees or overdraft fees. 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. For a lot of folks, having their paycheck direct deposited will take care of that requirement.

I especially like the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, and that definitely would have come in handy for me during the years I spent rebuilding my credit.¹¹ <p>The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.&nbsp; To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.</p>  Additionally, their policy of not using ChexSystems for account openings provides a fresh start for those with past banking issues.

I don’t love that Chime’s savings account only has a 2.00% (as of Sept. 9, 2024) APY on savings account balances.¹² <p class="">The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.&nbsp;</p> Note that you can’t open a savings account without opening a Chime checking account.¹³ <p class="">Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account.<br></p> There are higher savings APYs at online banks 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 and Stride Bank.

Visit Chime | Read our Chime review

Truist

4.3

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Truist One Checking - Earn $400¹ <p><b><u>Terms and Conditions for the $400 Truist One Checking Affiliate Offer 1: AFL2425TR1400</u></b></p> <p><b><u>Offer Information</u></b>: Open a new Truist One Checking account <b><u>online</u></b> from 10/31/24 through 4/30/25, receive at least 2 qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $1,000 or more within 120 days of account opening and earn $400.</p> <p> Account must be opened online. Enrollment in the promotion is required at the time of account opening using promo code <b>AFL2425TR1400</b>. Please refer to the Account Opening and Enrollment section below for full instructions.</p> <p>*A qualifying Direct Deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $0.00) of your salary, pension, Social Security or other regular monthly income deposited into your new checking account by your employer or outside agency. Transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits.</p> <p><b><u>Offer Eligibility</u></b>: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 10/31/23 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts only. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer available only to US residents with a valid US taxpayer identification number. The qualifying checking account must be opened online and have a mailing address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC.</p> <p><b><u>Reward Processing</u></b>: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 4 weeks after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. The new checking account must be open and in good standing with a balance of at least $0.01 at the time of Truist verification and until the reward is deposited to receive the reward. Truist verification will occur one time after the qualification requirements are initially met. Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.</p> <p><b><u>Reward Forfeiture</u></b>: Reward forfeiture will occur if: (1) the checking account is changed to an account type not included in this client offer, (2) the checking account is closed prior to the reward being deposited, or (3) the new checking account has a $0.00 or negative available balance at the time Truist verifies the qualification requirements have been met.</p> <p><b><u>Other Terms</u></b>: Minimum opening deposit is $50. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right in our sole discretion to prohibit a reward payout to non-eligible individuals for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist. All promotional payouts will be processed no later than 1/31/26 at which point this promotion (and any related disbursements) will be considered final, and no further disbursements will be made.</p> <p><b><u>Account Opening & Enrollment Instructions</u></b>: To open and enroll your new account in the promotion, visit the offer website and click on “Open an account online.” Enter AFL2425TR1400 into the promo code field provided, review the offer Terms and Conditions, and then select “Accept Offer”. Accounts opened without the promo code applied will not be eligible to participate in the offer. Once enrolled in the promotion, clients may receive promotional updates via the email address provided or by calling 800.709.8700.</p> <p>Version 3 10022024 <b>AFL2425TR1400</b></p>

Terms apply. No overdraft fee, low minimum deposit of $50. $100 Negative Balance Buffer² <p>The $100 Negative Balance Buffer is only available with Truist One Checking and allows eligible clients to overdraw their account up to $100.</p> <p>All eligibility requirements below must be met to initially qualify for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer:</p> <ul> <li>Account must be opened for a minimum of 35 calendar days</li> <li>Account must be funded and have a positive balance</li> <li>A single direct deposit of at least $100 per month must be made for 2 consecutive months</li> </ul> <p>To remain qualified for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met:</p> <ul> <li>A recurring direct deposit of at least $100 per month</li> </ul> <p>For accounts that qualify for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer and also have Overdraft Protection, Truist will use the $100 Negative Balance Buffer first. If the account has neither, transactions that exceed the account balance will typically be declined or returned.</p> for eligible clients. Ways to waive monthly maintenance fee.³ <p>The Monthly Maintenance Fee (MMF) can be waived for the Truist One Checking account for each statement cycle by:</p> <p><b>Option 1: Making $500 or more in total qualifying Direct Deposits per statement cycle.</b> A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit via ACH deposited to your account during the current statement cycle. Pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit card/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible to meet this requirement.</p> <p><b>Option 2: Maintaining a total combined ledger balance of $500 or more in any Truist related accounts across personal deposits and all investments as reflected on the business day before your statement cycle end date.</b>A Ledger Balance is actual balance in your account on a specific day and does not reflect any holds or pending transactions. Your Total Combined Balance is the sum of all balances within the Truist personal deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market or CDs), IRAs or brokerage accounts introduced through Truist Investment Services, Inc. Related Accounts automatically includes all applicable accounts associated with primary and secondary account holders.</p> <p><b>Option 3: Having a personal Truist credit card, mortgage or consumer loan, excluding LightStream®. </b></p> <p><b>Option 4: Having a linked Small Business Checking Account.</b> Eligible Small Business account types include: Truist Dynamic Checking, Business Interest Checking, Simple Business Checking and Business Value 200.</p> <p><b>Option 5: Maintenance fees waived for students under the age of 25.</b> Waiver for a student under the age of 25 requires that they are listed as the primary owner. The waiver is applied automatically at account opening and expires on the 25th birthdate of the student or their stated graduation date, whichever comes later. On this date, the account is subject to all applicable fees, including the Monthly Maintenance Fee unless at least one waiver criterion is satisfied.</p> <p><b>Option 6: Primary account owner is age 62 and older.</b></p> <p>Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2024, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.</p> Member FDIC.

Open Account

I really like that Truist One Checking has in-person locations, but it doesn’t charge any overdraft fees (which is unusual in a brick-and-mortar bank). And its $100 Negative Balance Buffer can give your account an extra cushion of up to $100 for unexpected charges.

You do have to get a direct deposit from an employer or benefits program, and it has to be at least $100 per month to qualify for the buffer. Those requirements aren’t too bad, and they’re in line with what other banks require for similar benefits.

I don’t love the $12 monthly maintenance fee, but there are six ways to waive it:

• 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 age 25
• Be age 62 or older

Both the fee and the options to waive the fee are in line with other brick-and-mortar banks.

Truist is FDIC insured.

Visit Truist or Read our Truist review to learn more

SoFi®

SoFi offers a strong APY on its checking account — 0.50% (as of 12/3/24) with direct deposit.¹⁵ <p class="">The product and annual percentage yield (APY) data displayed on this website is gathered from various sources and may not reflect all of the offers available in your area. Although we strive to provide the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Always verify account details and availability with the financial institution before opening an account.<br></p> I know that might not look spectacular, but given that many checking accounts offer a 0.00% APY, it’s actually very good.

Its savings account is where it really shines, though. You earn up to a 4.00% APY on your savings as long as you have direct deposit or have $5,000 in qualifying deposits in a 30-day period. You won’t pay any fees for these accounts.

These accounts are opened together, so you can’t open either as a stand-alone account. Which is fine, really, as they work well together.

Read our SoFi® review

Bank of America

4.2

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Bank of America Advantage Banking

Bank of America Advantage Banking

$300 bonus offer. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Click ‘Learn More' for more details.

Learn More

If you like being able to easily deposit cash or talk to a live human being, Bank of America is a good choice. It has thousands of ATMs and financial centers, so it’s also convenient if you’re someone who is often on the move.

Bank of America offers a few checking accounts, but the one I like the best is the Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking®. It has a relatively modest monthly maintenance fee of $4.95, with options for a $0 monthly fee instead if you’re under 25, keep a minimum daily balance of $500, or are a member of Bank of America Preferred Rewards®. ¹⁸ <p>Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® Monthly Maintenance Fee: $4.95 or $0 —&nbsp;No monthly maintenance fee when you meet one of the following: • an owner of this account is under the age of 25 or • maintain a minimum daily balance of $500 in your account or • are a member of Bank of America Preferred Rewards®;&nbsp;Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking®&nbsp;Monthly Maintenance Fee: $12 or $0 –&nbsp;No monthly maintenance fee when you meet one of the following: • have at least one qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more or •maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,500 in your account or • are a member of Bank of America Preferred Rewards®;&nbsp;Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking®&nbsp;Monthly Maintenance Fee: $25 or $0 – No monthly maintenance fee when you meet one of the following: • maintain a minimum daily balance of $20,000 in your account or • are a member of Bank of America Preferred Rewards®.</p>

But the best thing about it is that it doesn’t charge overdraft item fees. And those fees can really add up depending on the bank.

Visit Bank of America 

Varo

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 12/11/24) 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 3.00% (as of 6/14/24) 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 bank 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, 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 provides each depositor with $250,000 in coverage.

Visit Varo  or read our Varo review

Current

For teens looking to start building credit while banking, Current is a strong choice.²¹ <p>You may earn Points in connection with your everyday spending and by completing other actions that Current designates as subject to the Current Points Program. The amount of Points granted for different actions as well as the purchase requirements necessary to earn Points will vary, and is subject to Current’s sole discretion. After qualifying, please allow 3-5 business days for points to post to your Current account. The Current Points program is not available to Teen Account holders. See Current Points Terms and Conditions.</p> Using the Current Build Visa^® Credit Card, you could make regular monthly payments that get reported to the credit bureaus.²² <p><b>Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC</b>. The Current Visa® Debit Card is issued by Choice Financial Group pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Current Visa® secured charge card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see back of your Card for its issuing bank. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.</p> 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 to 7X points, depending on the merchant (and as long as you opt in within the mobile app). Just prepare to do your banking completely online, as there are no in-person options.

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% (as of Nov. 21, 2023) 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.

Visit Current  or read our Current review

GO2bank

GO2bank offers up to 7% off e-gift cards when you purchase them though its app, which is a very good rewards rate. GO2bank also offers a high 4.50% APY on its savings account on balances up to $5,000 and no minimum deposit requirements. That’s a very competitive rate, and one of the highest on this list.

While its mobile-first approach to banking is simple and straightforward, there are a few catches — GO2bank has many different fees. The primary one to keep in mind is the $5 monthly fee if you don’t have a payroll or government benefit direct deposit. It is open about these fees, but for customers looking for truly fee-free accounts, GO2bank may not work out.

GO2bank is insured through Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, so your money is insured up to $250,000. Additionally, you could qualify for up to $200 in overdraft protection as long as you have direct deposit set up.

Read our GO2bank review

One

One Cash

Mobile Banking With Cash Back & High Yield Savings

Earn up to 5% cash back²⁴ <p>Cash back can be earned through the Debit Rewards Program. <a href="https://static.one.app/terms-and-conditions/cash-rewards/7/ONERewardsTerms.html?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1171805993434719260&utm_medium=marketing&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz0jNycnXy89L1UssKNBP1S9KLU8sSinWLUktyi0GAPWpptMlAAAA">Terms apply</a></p> and 3.75% APY²⁵ <p>3.75% annual percentage yield (APY) applies to the total Savings balance of customers who either (i) received $500 or more of eligible direct deposits in the previous month or (ii) have a total daily account balance of $5,000 or more. Customers can also earn 3.75% APY on Pay Autosave balances without these deposit or balance requirements. In all instances 3.75% APY is limited to a total Savings balance of up to $250,000. All other Savings balances will earn 1.00% APY. APYs are as of 12/20/2024, but may change at any time before or after account opening.</p> on Savings with eligible deposits. FDIC insurance through Coastal Community Bank.²⁶ <p><b>One is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.</b></p>

Visit One

Walmart has some of the lowest prices around, and One offers a way to get cash back at Walmart without getting a credit card. The cash back is limited to $50 per year, but every little bit helps. To qualify for the cash back, you need to have received $500 or more in eligible direct deposits or have a total account balance of $5,000 or more.

One also offers 3.75% APY on Savings with eligible deposits. To qualify, you need to meet the same requirements as you do for the Walmart cash back.

And speaking of Walmart — That’s the only place you can add cash to your One account.²⁹ <p class="">Use your One card at any Walmart Money Center, cashier, or Customer Service desk to deposit or make a cash withdrawal for free<br></p>

One is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.

Visit One | Read our One review

How to choose a bank

There are dozens and dozens of deposit account options, even for those looking to qualify without a credit check or need a second-chance bank. How do you find the one that fits all your needs? Consider each of these features to narrow down the list.

Fee structure

First things first — do you want to pay any fees? If not, eliminate banks that charge fees. Additionally, some banks only charge fees if you can’t meet requirements like setting up direct deposit. Many banks charge no fees to maintain your account and still provide worthwhile features.

Mobile and online setup

No-credit-check accounts typically are online bank accounts, so you want to ensure the bank of your choice includes easy-to-use mobile banking, including mobile check deposit and an online portal. You may also want to consider features like bill pay and transfers to family and friends through services like Zelle.

Account requirements

While the bank may not require a credit check, make sure there are no other requirements, such as a minimum opening deposit or a minimum balance required to earn interest.

Additional banking services

Many banks offer more than just checking and savings accounts, which you may (or may not) be interested in. Do you need investing help? Do you want to open a CD? Are you considering a personal loan? If you want to do your banking all in one place, check on the additional services the bank may offer.

Branch options

Do you want an in-person option? Or is an entirely online-based bank what you’re looking for? Thankfully, there’s a mix of both options out there.

ATM network

If you anticipate needing to withdraw cash, check to see if there are fee-free ATMs near you so you can make ATM withdrawals. Some banks and credit unions also offer ATM fee reimbursements if you use an out-of-network machine.

How to improve bad credit

Improving your credit score is a journey that requires patience, diligence, and a strategic approach. Whether you're looking to qualify for better loan rates, secure a rental agreement, or simply improve your financial well-being, taking steps to boost your creditworthiness can open doors to various opportunities. Here are a few ways that you can improve your credit score over time.

Pay your bills on time

Making timely payments on all bills, including credit card payments, utility bills, and loans, is crucial for improving your credit score. Payment history is a significant 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.

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 cancel old accounts

Older accounts can help improve credit scores since they establish when you first began building your credit history. Closing old credit cards can also cause your credit utilization rate to go up since you have less available credit in your name. 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 tool such as Credit Karma or Credit Sesame, where you'll get free access to your credit score, reports, and monitoring.

Build a positive credit history

Establishing a positive credit history takes time. Consistently using credit responsibly by paying bills on time, keeping balances low, and avoiding unnecessary debt can help improve your credit score over time.

These tips, when followed consistently, can help you move from bad credit to good credit while working towards financial stability and better borrowing opportunities.

FAQ

Bottom line

When you have bad credit, you want a bank that understands and helps you make the most of your finances. You can find banks that won’t run your credit and offer additional perks.

And think through what you’re willing to pay in fees and if you want to earn interest. After all, a bank account needs to be all-inclusive for your needs, not just offer no credit checks.

Methodology

The companies we chose for our best banks with no credit checklist may be current or past FinanceBuzz partners. We did not review all the companies in the market. When evaluating these companies, we considered factors such as the minimum opening deposit, customer service, and monthly fees.

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Author Details

Melinda Sineriz, ABFP™

Melinda Sineriz is a Lead Editor at FinanceBuzz and an Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional™ designee. Melinda has a B.A. in English from Miami University and a master’s degree from Bard College. Before focusing on personal finance content, she worked in insurance for six years, educating clients on Medicare supplements, life insurance, long-term care, and annuities.

Author Details

Christopher Murray

Christopher Murray is a seasoned personal finance writer with a passion for empowering individuals to achieve financial independence while embracing sustainable practices. Over the last few years, he has focused on various facets of personal finance—specifically saving, budgeting, investing (with an emphasis on alternative investments), credit building, and sustainability.