What to do if no banks accept you?
Look into getting a 'second-chance account'
Some of the major banks offer second-chance banking accounts, like BBVA and Wells Fargo. Since these accounts are offered to consumers who have been denied a bank account, do your research beforehand.
Look into getting a 'second-chance account'
Some of the major banks offer second-chance banking accounts, like BBVA and Wells Fargo. Since these accounts are offered to consumers who have been denied a bank account, do your research beforehand.
Common reasons consumers are turned down for a bank account include a history of overdrafts, unpaid bank fees or suspected fraud.
Why can't I open a bank account? A bank can deny your request to open an account because of past accounts that were closed due to negative balances, a history of overdrafts or problems verifying your identity. If you're unable to open a bank account, here are some tips on what to do next.
- Applying for a different current account. Each bank has different eligibility rules, meaning you may be able to get an account elsewhere. ...
- Getting a basic bank account. ...
- Considering a prepaid card. ...
- Talking to a credit union.
Second-chance checking accounts allow those who have been denied a traditional account to open a specialized one to help them build a strong financial foundation. Financial institutions offering second-change checking accounts include Capital One, Chime, GO2bank, GTE Financial, Fifth Third, Varo and Wells Fargo.
- Request a copy of your ChexSystem report. ...
- Dispute mistakes or fraudulent activity on your report. ...
- Pay off your balances. ...
- Ask creditors to remove information from your ChexSystems report. ...
- Wait for items to fall off your report.
When you apply for a new account, many banks use ChexSystems to see if a previous bank has flagged you for unpaid balances such as overdraft fees.
You can be denied an account if you're in debt to another bank because of an overdrawn account or overdraw your account too often.
Pay Off Outstanding Debts To Banks: If your ChexSystems report includes legitimate notations for unpaid negative balances on previous accounts, pay these off — or at least make a payment arrangement — and request that your bank update the payment status in ChexSystems when the debt is settled.
Can I open another bank account if one is closed?
Opening a new bank account
If your account has been closed, you can try to open a new one with a different bank. However, you may run into a problem if the previous bank reported anything negative on your ChexSystems report. A ChexSystems report is like a credit report for your banking activity.
How long does negative information stay on ChexSystems and/or EWS consumer reports? Generally, negative information remains on ChexSystems and/or Early Warning Services (EWS) consumer reports for five years. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, certain negative information may be reported for up to seven years.
Bank / Credit Union | Forbes Advisor Rating | LEARN MORE |
---|---|---|
Capital One 360 Checking Account | 4.5 | |
Chime® Checking Account | 4.4 | Learn More On Chime's Website |
LendingClub Bank Rewards Checking | 4.2 | Learn More Read Our Full Review |
Varo Bank Account | 4.1 | Learn More Read Our Full Review |
- First Direct 1st Account. ...
- Chase current account. ...
- Starling personal current account. ...
- Lloyds Bank Club Lloyds. ...
- Co-operative Bank current account. ...
- Nationwide FlexDirect. ...
- Kroo current account. ...
- Santander Edge current account.
Banks may be willing to take on customers with overdrafts, but their decision will depend on each applicant's level of debt and credit score. This is why you must consent to them checking your credit report.
Request your report
The report shows a breakdown of specific accounts closed, outstanding debts, bounced checks and more. You're eligible for a free copy of your report once every 12 months. Request your record in one of these ways: Call ChexSystems at 800-428-9623.
Account | Approximate time to complete application | Minimum opening deposit |
---|---|---|
SoFi Checking and Savings Account: Best for Member Perks | 1 to 3 minutes | $0 |
Wise: Best for Non-Residents | 1 to 3 minutes | $0 |
Chime® Checking Account: Best for Bad Credit | 3 to 4 minutes | $0 |
Account | Annual Percentage Yield | Minimum Deposit Requirement |
---|---|---|
Navy Federal Credit Union Free EveryDay Checking | 0.01% | $0 |
Capital One 360 Checking Account | 0.10% | $0 |
Chase Secure Banking℠ | N/A | $0 |
Chime® Checking Account | None | $0 |
Who's this for? Chase Secure Banking℠ is a second-chance account that comes with a rare opportunity to earn a welcome bonus. Standout benefits: New Chase Secure Banking account members can currently earn a $100 bonus after completing 10 qualifying transactions within the first 60 days after opening the account.
You can dispute errors in your report and settle any outstanding debts to improve your chances of opening a new bank account. If all else fails, you can consider a second-chance checking account to rebuild your reputation with banks.
What is a bad score on ChexSystems?
ChexSystems Consumer Scores range from 100 to 899, with a higher score indicating a lower risk.
Some banks, such as Capital One, Wells Fargo and Bank of America, do not use ChexSystems for certain accounts. We've compiled a list of accounts below that don't use ChexSystems and have low opening deposits. But some do have monthly fees that can't be waived.
Pay Off All Outstanding Debts – If the blacklisting results from unpaid debts or fees, resolve them immediately. This can be an important step in repairing your financial reputation. Consider Alternative Banking – Numerous institutions acknowledge that everyone deserves a second chance.
After seven years, unpaid credit card debt falls off your credit report. The debt doesn't vanish completely, but it'll no longer impact your credit score. MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers based on the info you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $50,000 from top providers.
Bank tellers can technically access your account without your permission. However, banks have safety measures in place to protect your personal data and money because account access is completely recorded and monitored.