What is a second chance bank account?

It is an account intended for people who have had banking problems, such as an unpaid overdraft or a previous account denial. The label does not establish one fee schedule or screening rule. A lower-risk account may accept some past problems while still reviewing reports. Chime and Varo publish no-ChexSystems bank-account policies, but eligibility and identity verification still apply. Bank On certification describes the specific account's standards; it is not guaranteed approval.

What is ChexSystems and how does it affect me?

ChexSystems is a consumer reporting company for banking history. A bank may use its report, another company's report or other information when deciding an application. ChexSystems supplies information; the institution makes the decision. ChexSystems currently provides all consumer disclosures free of charge. It describes a five-year retention practice with exceptions, but its FAQ uses both report-date and closure-date wording. Ask which date applies to your entry. Paying a balance should lead to an accurate paid or settled status, not automatic deletion.

What is Early Warning Services (EWS)?

Early Warning is a separate consumer reporting company. Its consumer file is not your ChexSystems file, and it offers a free disclosure through its own request process. Use an account-denial notice to identify which company supplied information that affected the decision. Request and dispute the relevant file rather than assuming every denial came from ChexSystems. A bank may use more than one source; this guide does not establish an exclusive reporting vendor for Chase or another institution.

What does Bank On certification tell me?

The CFE Fund certifies specific accounts against its standards. The 2025-2026 standards require an opening deposit of $25 or less, no overdraft or NSF fees, and monthly maintenance of $5 or less if not waivable, or $10 or less with at least two ways to waive it entirely using a single transaction. Bill pay is free if offered; otherwise at least four free money orders and/or cashier's checks per month are required. Limiting screening denials to actual past fraud and accepting ITINs and government-issued IDs are strong recommendations, not universal approval or document-acceptance promises. Check the exact product in the official registry.

Can I open a second chance account online?

Some accounts accept online applications, while others require a branch or an adult co-owner. An online form is not a promise of immediate approval, immediate mobile-deposit access or spendable funds. Woodforest requires its Second Chance Checking account to be opened at a branch. Wells Fargo applicants age 17 and under open at a branch, and ages 13-16 need an adult co-owner. Confirm your address, identification, membership if relevant, and the specific account's application requirements before moving payroll or paying an opening fee.

How do I compare the total cost?

List the monthly maintenance, actual waiver conditions, cash deposits, ATM withdrawals, statements and bill-payment fees for your own routine. For example, four Chime out-of-network withdrawals at its $2.50 fee total $10 before operator charges, despite $0 monthly maintenance. Woodforest's $9.95 monthly fee with qualifying monthly direct deposit is separate from its $9 setup fee and optional $3 monthly paper statements. An opening deposit stays in the account and is not a service fee. Compare actual fee-bearing periods; a promotional fee-free period changes a first-year calculation.

Can I switch to a different account later?

Ask the institution about the exact account's conversion or new-application rules. There is no universal six-to-24-month graduation schedule or automatic upgrade after direct deposit begins. Compare any new monthly fee, balance requirement and payment features before switching. A checkless account that already meets your needs may be worth keeping. Ordinary checking-account use is different from a credit-building loan or card and does not promise a higher credit score.

Are credit unions an option?

A credit union can be worth comparing if you meet its membership requirements. Member ownership does not establish that it has a second-chance product, lower fees or easier approval in your case. Use the NCUA locator to find institutions, then ask about the exact account, acceptable ID, membership, screening and total costs. Confirm the institution's insurance status. The locator is a starting point, not proof that every listed credit union will approve you.

What should I do if an account application is denied?

If a consumer report contributed to the denial, use the adverse-action notice to identify the reporting company and request its free report within 60 days. The notice does not have to be a mailed letter. Check the account, dates, amount and status; dispute errors with the reporting company and the institution that supplied them, keeping copies. Paying or settling a valid debt is different from deleting an accurate entry. Ask about another account while the issue is resolved. Do not assume a prepaid product will approve you or build credit; the Bluebird American Express prepaid account closed in June 2026 and differs from other Bluebird-branded accounts.

Will direct deposit solve my account problems?

It can help with receiving future income or meeting a specific fee waiver, but it does not guarantee approval, an upgrade or two-day early access. Chase's listed waiver counts qualifying electronic deposits and excludes cash and Zelle. Wells Fargo's waiver also has a specific qualifying-deposit definition. Confirm the account is open, supply the correct payroll details and keep a way to cover bills until the first deposit arrives. If you receive paper checks, verify mobile-deposit eligibility and the available date before relying on the funds.

Second Chance Bank Accounts in Pennsylvania (2026)

For Pennsylvania, compare the trip to a bank with the ongoing account cost. TD lists locations in Philadelphia and Allentown; M&T lists Harrisburg and Erie among its communities. TD Essential Banking and M&T MyWay Banking are checkless, with $4.95 base monthly fees and different waiver conditions. Directory entries may be branches or ATMs, so confirm the exact service location, eligibility and bill-payment needs before moving income into a new account.

Last updated: 2026-09-08

The Short Answer

If you have been denied a checking account in Pennsylvania because of a negative ChexSystems or Early Warning Services record, unpaid overdrafts, or past account closures, ask about accounts that may accept some past banking problems. Chime and Varo publish no-ChexSystems bank-account policies; the other comparison entries require asking the institution about screening. Every application has eligibility requirements. Compare your actual fees, local access, deposit timing and bill-payment needs before choosing an account. Bank On certification does not guarantee approval.

National Account Options to Compare

These six accounts have different screening, fees and payment restrictions. Confirm availability for your address and whether you need a branch. The comparison is not a ranking by approval odds, and a national provider does not necessarily have a local branch.

Scroll the table sideways to compare screening and eligibility details.

Institution	Account	Monthly Fee	Min. Deposit	Account Screening	Note / Eligibility
Chime	Chime Checking Account	$0 monthly maintenance; optional service fees apply	Confirm initial funding requirements	Provider states no ChexSystems; approval and identity checks still apply	Chime is a fintech; banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Eligibility and identity checks apply. No overdraft fee. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $2.50 plus possible operator fees; other services can cost extra.
Chase	Chase Secure Banking	$4.95 per statement period, with waiver options	Confirm initial funding requirements	Ask the bank which reports affect this account; approval is required	$4.95 per statement period. Waiver: $250+ qualifying electronic deposits or an owner age 17-24. Zelle, cash, checks, wires and interest do not count. New/converted accounts get at least two statement periods of fee relief. No overdraft fee; other fees may apply.
Wells Fargo	Clear Access Banking	$5 per fee period, with waiver options	$25 to open; this is a deposit, not a fee	Ask the bank which reports affect this account; approval is required	Waiver: primary owner age 13-24 or $250+ qualifying electronic deposits per fee period; military waiver has separate requirements. Zelle, transfers, mobile and branch/ATM deposits do not qualify. No check writing or overdraft fee; negative balances remain possible. Minors open at a branch; ages 13-16 need an adult co-owner.
U.S. Bank	Safe Debit Account	$4.95 monthly maintenance; other service fees may apply	$25 to open; this is a deposit, not a fee	Ask the bank which reports affect this account; approval is required	Checkless account. New U.S. Bank customers cannot use mobile check deposit for the first 30 calendar days. Bank Pay Bills supports eligible electronic billers and one-time payments, without recurring/expedited scheduling; direct ACH with a biller is separate. Confirm local access and screening.
Varo	Varo Bank Account	$0 monthly maintenance; optional service fees apply	Confirm initial funding requirements	Provider states no ChexSystems; approval and identity checks still apply	Varo Bank, N.A. is an FDIC member. Eligibility and identity requirements still apply. No overdraft fee. Out-of-network/international ATM withdrawals cost $3.50 plus possible operator fees. Free cash deposits at participating stand-alone CVS stores have exclusions; other retailers can charge.
Woodforest National Bank	Second Chance Checking	$9.95 with monthly direct deposit; $11.95 without	$25 to open, separate from account fees	Ask the bank which reports affect this account; approval is required	Open at a branch; check the locator before traveling. $9 setup fee and $3 monthly paper-statement fee, avoidable with eStatements. Monthly direct deposit from an employer or outside agency qualifies for $9.95 maintenance; otherwise $11.95. Overdraft fees may apply. A Walmart store does not establish a bank branch is there.

Pennsylvania Banks & Credit Unions with Second-Chance Accounts

Local and regional institutions in Pennsylvania that offer second-chance, fresh start, or Bank On-certified checking. Credit unions may require you to live or work in a qualifying county or join the credit union first.

Scroll the table sideways to compare screening and eligibility details.

Institution	Account	Monthly Fee	Min. Deposit	Account Screening	Note / Eligibility
Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU)	Green Light Checking	Varies	Varies	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Statewide
West Branch Valley Federal Credit Union	Back on Track Checking	Varies	Varies	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Central PA
Dollar Bank	No Overdraft Checking Account / Smart Start Checking	$5 (Bank On certified)	Varies	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Bank On certified, western PA, also serves OH, VA
M&T Bank	MyWay Banking Checking Account	$4.95 monthly; waived with a transaction each service-charge cycle	$25 to open; this is a deposit, not a fee	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Checkless; M&T describes MyWay as Bank On certified. A deposit, withdrawal or debit payment can meet the monthly transaction waiver. Keep a positive balance to avoid closure. No overdraft fee, but repay any negative balance; other service/ATM fees may apply. Bill Pay is free but excludes government, court-ordered, non-U.S. and unlawful payments. Confirm ACH instead of a payee-created check, screening, address eligibility and the exact branch.
TD Bank	TD Essential Banking	$4.95 monthly; waived for primary owner age 13-17	$0 to open; fund within 45 calendar days to avoid possible closure	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Checkless; TD describes it as Bank On certified. No overdraft fee, but a negative balance remains possible. Online statements are free; paper statements cost $1 monthly. Non-TD ATM withdrawals/transfers cost $3 plus possible operator fees. Scheduled/next-day Bill Pay is free; Rush Bill Pay costs $2. A minor must open jointly with a parent or legal guardian; the age waiver ends at 18. Confirm screening, address eligibility and the exact store in the directory.
Citizens Bank	EverValue Checking Account	$5 (Bank On certified)	Varies	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Bank On certified, statewide
Firstrust Bank	First Checking	$5 (Bank On certified)	Varies	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Bank On certified, Philadelphia area
First Commonwealth Bank	SmartPay Card	$5 (Bank On certified)	Varies	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Bank On certified, western and central PA
The Bank of Princeton	Simple Checking	$5 (Bank On certified)	Varies	Confirm the reports used and whether your history meets this account's rules	Bank On certified, NJ and eastern PA

Certification applies to a specific account. Confirm the exact product in the Bank On registry and ask the institution about screening and local access. The FAQ below separates required standards from recommendations.

How to Apply in Pennsylvania

For an account in Pennsylvania, first confirm how you will receive income and pay rent. Ask the provider which reports and ID it requires, whether your address or credit-union membership qualifies, and whether an adult co-owner or branch visit is needed. Get the current fee disclosure and check a real branch or cash-deposit location before traveling. An online application is not guaranteed approval. Keep another way to cover bills until the account is open and your first deposit is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a second chance bank account?: It is an account intended for people who have had banking problems, such as an unpaid overdraft or a previous account denial. The label does not establish one fee schedule or screening rule. A lower-risk account may accept some past problems while still reviewing reports. Chime and Varo publish no-ChexSystems bank-account policies, but eligibility and identity verification still apply. Bank On certification describes the specific account's standards; it is not guaranteed approval.
What is ChexSystems and how does it affect me?: ChexSystems is a consumer reporting company for banking history. A bank may use its report, another company's report or other information when deciding an application. ChexSystems supplies information; the institution makes the decision. ChexSystems currently provides all consumer disclosures free of charge. It describes a five-year retention practice with exceptions, but its FAQ uses both report-date and closure-date wording. Ask which date applies to your entry. Paying a balance should lead to an accurate paid or settled status, not automatic deletion.
What is Early Warning Services (EWS)?: Early Warning is a separate consumer reporting company. Its consumer file is not your ChexSystems file, and it offers a free disclosure through its own request process. Use an account-denial notice to identify which company supplied information that affected the decision. Request and dispute the relevant file rather than assuming every denial came from ChexSystems. A bank may use more than one source; this guide does not establish an exclusive reporting vendor for Chase or another institution.
What does Bank On certification tell me?: The CFE Fund certifies specific accounts against its standards. The 2025-2026 standards require an opening deposit of $25 or less, no overdraft or NSF fees, and monthly maintenance of $5 or less if not waivable, or $10 or less with at least two ways to waive it entirely using a single transaction. Bill pay is free if offered; otherwise at least four free money orders and/or cashier's checks per month are required. Limiting screening denials to actual past fraud and accepting ITINs and government-issued IDs are strong recommendations, not universal approval or document-acceptance promises. Check the exact product in the official registry.
Can I open a second chance account online?: Some accounts accept online applications, while others require a branch or an adult co-owner. An online form is not a promise of immediate approval, immediate mobile-deposit access or spendable funds. Woodforest requires its Second Chance Checking account to be opened at a branch. Wells Fargo applicants age 17 and under open at a branch, and ages 13-16 need an adult co-owner. Confirm your address, identification, membership if relevant, and the specific account's application requirements before moving payroll or paying an opening fee.
How do I compare the total cost?: List the monthly maintenance, actual waiver conditions, cash deposits, ATM withdrawals, statements and bill-payment fees for your own routine. For example, four Chime out-of-network withdrawals at its $2.50 fee total $10 before operator charges, despite $0 monthly maintenance. Woodforest's $9.95 monthly fee with qualifying monthly direct deposit is separate from its $9 setup fee and optional $3 monthly paper statements. An opening deposit stays in the account and is not a service fee. Compare actual fee-bearing periods; a promotional fee-free period changes a first-year calculation.
Can I switch to a different account later?: Ask the institution about the exact account's conversion or new-application rules. There is no universal six-to-24-month graduation schedule or automatic upgrade after direct deposit begins. Compare any new monthly fee, balance requirement and payment features before switching. A checkless account that already meets your needs may be worth keeping. Ordinary checking-account use is different from a credit-building loan or card and does not promise a higher credit score.
Are credit unions an option?: A credit union can be worth comparing if you meet its membership requirements. Member ownership does not establish that it has a second-chance product, lower fees or easier approval in your case. Use the NCUA locator to find institutions, then ask about the exact account, acceptable ID, membership, screening and total costs. Confirm the institution's insurance status. The locator is a starting point, not proof that every listed credit union will approve you.
What should I do if an account application is denied?: If a consumer report contributed to the denial, use the adverse-action notice to identify the reporting company and request its free report within 60 days. The notice does not have to be a mailed letter. Check the account, dates, amount and status; dispute errors with the reporting company and the institution that supplied them, keeping copies. Paying or settling a valid debt is different from deleting an accurate entry. Ask about another account while the issue is resolved. Do not assume a prepaid product will approve you or build credit; the Bluebird American Express prepaid account closed in June 2026 and differs from other Bluebird-branded accounts.
Will direct deposit solve my account problems?: It can help with receiving future income or meeting a specific fee waiver, but it does not guarantee approval, an upgrade or two-day early access. Chase's listed waiver counts qualifying electronic deposits and excludes cash and Zelle. Wells Fargo's waiver also has a specific qualifying-deposit definition. Confirm the account is open, supply the correct payroll details and keep a way to cover bills until the first deposit arrives. If you receive paper checks, verify mobile-deposit eligibility and the available date before relying on the funds.

Take Action -- Direct Links

M&T MyWay Banking current terms
Read the $25 opening deposit, $4.95 transaction-based waiver, checkless rules and Bill Pay restrictions.
M&T locations in Pennsylvania
Use the state directory to distinguish branches from ATMs; confirm services and a MyWay appointment.
TD Essential Banking terms and account guide
Compare the $4.95 fee, primary-owner age waiver, checkless limits, statement and ATM costs.
TD locations in Pennsylvania
Choose a store or ATM and check its actual services, hours and appointment options.
Compare second-chance account costs and payment limits
Review six account choices, branch requirements and a first-month payment plan.
Compare published no-ChexSystems policies
Separate confirmed provider statements from other screening and read the denial/dispute steps.
Compare check-cashing fees and deposit timing
Work out net proceeds and when a paper check can become usable funds.
Request a free ChexSystems disclosure
Use the official online, telephone or mail process to see your file.
Request your Early Warning file
Request this separate free file when it is relevant to your application.
Find Bank On certified accounts
Check the exact account name, then confirm applicant eligibility and local access with the institution.
NCUA credit union locator
Locate institutions and ask about membership, product availability and screening.

Related Resources on This Site

More for your state

Jobs by CityFelony friendly jobs in Philadelphia, PA
Jobs by StateJobs for felons in Pennsylvania
HousingSecond chance apartments in Philadelphia, PA
ExpungementPennsylvania expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Pennsylvania
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Pennsylvania
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Pennsylvania
ProbationProbation & parole in Pennsylvania

Helpful guides

HousingNo credit check apartments & rentals
Food & BenefitsCheapest grocery stores + stretching EBT
RightsChild support calculator — free 50-state estimator
ToolsReentry Checklist — Preparation Steps After Release

Disclaimer: This is informational only, not financial or legal advice. Account fees, eligibility, and availability change frequently and vary by institution and applicant. Always confirm current terms directly with the bank or credit union before applying.

← Oregon

Back to Second Chance Banking

Rhode Island→