If you have a blemished banking history -- whether from an unexpected financial crisis that drained your bank account or poor money management skills -- you might be denied a checking account. You're not alone, though: 16.7 million American adults are unbanked, according to the most recent data from the FDIC. If you're part of that statistic, it means that you don't have a bank account and are probably using financial services like secured credit cards and prepaid debit cards or money orders -- all of which are usually more expensive than using bill pay or writing a check.
But here's the good news: You have another option. For those with bad credit or a poor banking history, a second-chance checking account can be an affordable lifeline to rebuilding credit. Offered at some banks and credit unions, these second-chance banking options can provide you with a basic checking account service that is backed by the FDIC.
GOBankingRates found the 20 banks and credit unions that offer the best second-chance checking accounts. Although there are a few free options, typically these accounts charge a monthly fee that ranges from $10 to $16.95. Even with these fees, a second-chance checking account could still be more affordable than many alternatives.
Here are the 20 best second-chance checking accounts:
Western Federal Credit Union's Right Start Checking
Woodforest National Bank's Second Chance Checking
Montgomery Bank's New Start Checking
HomeStreet Bank's Bank On Checking
First National Bank and Trust Company's Renew Checking
Hope Credit Union's Easy Checking
Farmers & Merchants State Bank's Clean Start Checking
City National Bank's Bounce Back Checking
Centennial Bank's Opportunity 100 Checking
BBVA Compass's Easy Checking
Vantage Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
Republic Bank's Checking Builder
Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
Fort Worth City Credit Union's Independence Checking
Foothill Credit Union's Rebound Checking
Wells Fargo's Opportunity Checking
Bank of the Ozarks' Pathway Checking
MainSource Bank's Fresh Start Checking
Webster Bank's Opportunity Checking
Corporate America Family Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
Second-Chance Checking Account
Minimum Opening Deposit
Monthly Fees
Minimum Monthly Balance
Insufficient Funds Fee
Perks
How to Apply
Western Federal Credit Union's Right Start Checking
$25
$0
None
$30
N/A
Apply Now
Woodforest National Bank's Second Chance Checking
$25
$9.95-$11.95
None
$29
N/A
Apply Now
Montgomery Bank's New Start Checking
$20
$0
None
$33
N/A
Apply Now
HomeStreet Bank's Bank On Checking
$50
$0
None
$30
$100 for completing a certified financial education class and maintaining a positive balance for 3 months
Apply Now
First National Bank & Trust Company's Renew Checking
$25
$7.95-$9.95
None
$31
Debit MasterCard with rewards
Apply Now
Hope Credit Union's Easy Checking
$25
$9.95, but $0 with minimum balance of $200
$25
$25
N/A
Apply Now
Farmers & Merchants State Bank's Clean Start Checking
$50
$9.95
None
$33.50
Unlimited check writing
Apply Now
City National Bank's Bounce Back Checking
$25
$6.99-$8.99
None
$36
First 2 NSF fees waived
Apply Now
Centennial Bank's Opportunity 100 Checking
$100
$9.95-$12.95
None
$30
N/A
Apply Now
BBVA Compass's Easy Checking
$25
$13.95
None
$32
Unlimited check writing
Apply Now
Vantage Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
$0
$15
None
$35
Unlimited check clearings
Apply Now
Republic Bank's Checking Builder
$50
$7.95-$12.95
None
$36
Unlimited check writing and check-card transactions
Apply Now
Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
$20
$10
None
$38
N/A
Apply Now
Fort Worth City Credit Union's Independence Checking
$25
$7, but waived with direct deposits totaling at least $1000/month
None
$20
N/A
Apply Now
Foothill Credit Union's Rebound Checking
$50
$6
$50
$28
N/A
Apply Now
Wells Fargo's Opportunity Checking
$50
$10, but waived with certain qualifications
None, if certain qualifications are met
Free automatic transfers from your checking account
Apply Now
Bank of the Ozarks' Pathway Checking
$50
$10
None
$35
$50 if account is in good standing after 12 months
Apply Now
MainSource Bank's Fresh Start Checking
$25
$12-$14
None
$37
Unlimited check writing
Apply Now
Webster Bank's Opportunity Checking
$50
$11.95-$16.95
None
$37
N/A
Apply Now
Corporate America Family Credit Union's Fresh start Checking
$100
$10
$100
$39
N/A
Apply Now
Western Federal Credit Union's Right Start Checking
If you're looking for a free checking account to help you build a positive banking history, Western Federal Credit Union's Right Start Checking account could be right for you. It has no monthly service fee and you can open an account with a minimum deposit of just $25.
Important to know: Although there is no monthly service fee and no monthly minimum balance required for this account, each overdraft will cost $30, so keep careful watch over your transactions. After 12 consecutive months in good activity, this account is eligible for an upgrade to a regular checking account.
Key features:
No monthly maintenance fee
Free online bill pay
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 consecutive months in good standing
Service areas:
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Indiana
Kentucky
Michigan
Mississippi
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Related: 10 Best Checking Accounts of 2016
Woodforest National Bank's Second Chance Checking
Woodforest National Bank serves 17 states across the East Coast, Midwest and South, so there's a good chance you'll find a bank near you. Woodforest National Bank's Second Chance Checking account charges a monthly service fee of $11.95, which can be reduced to $9.95 when you opt for direct deposit.
Important to know: In addition to a monthly service fee, there are other fees to watch out for, including:
One-time $9 account setup fee
$25 fee if you close the account within 180 days
$29 nonsufficient funds fee
One-time debit card setup fee
Key features:
Serves 17 states in East Coast, Midwest and South
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Montgomery Bank's New Start Checking
With headquarters and branches in Missouri, Montgomery Bank's New Start Checking offers customers a new start for no monthly fee, although a $20 deposit is required to open the account. The account offers other nice features, including free online banking and bill pay, a free debit card and unlimited check writing.
Important to know: The New Start checking account is upgradable if and when your name is removed from the ChexSystems databank, which generally takes five years of good banking behavior. The account doesn't have a monthly fee, but there is a $33 NSF fee, so be careful with that unlimited check writing.
Key features:
No monthly maintenance fee
Free online banking and bill pay
Upgradable to regular checking account after period in good standing and no record in ChexSystems
Service areas:
Missouri
HomeStreet Bank's Bank On Checking
HomeStreet's Bank On Checking is an account that gives Washington residents a second chance to prove they can handle their checking account responsibly. With no monthly fee and an impressive perk of $100 for completing a certified financial education class while maintaining a positive balance for three months, this might be the right option for you.
Important to know: The account comes with a lot of bonuses and free features, but there is a $30 NSF fee, a $50 minimum opening deposit, and you must cover the cost of checks.
Key features:
$100 bonus for completing a certified financial education class while maintaining a positive balance for three months
Free VISA debit card
Free use of HomeStreet Bank ATMs and over 22,000 affiliated ATMs
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Washington
California
Hawaii
Oregon
Idaho
Utah
Arizona
First National Bank and Trust Company's Renew Checking
With 70,000 free-access ATMs worldwide and 24-hour Telebank access, the convenience that First National Bank and Trust Company's Renew Checking offers outweighs its $7.95-$9.95 maintenance fee.
Important to know: In addition to the monthly fee of $9.95, which can be reduced to $7.95 by setting up direct deposit, there is a $25 minimum opening deposit, a one-time setup fee of $15, and a $30 NSF fee.
Key features:
Free mobile banking
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Wisconsin
Illinois
Hope Credit Union's Easy Checking
If you're not worried about having traditional paper checks and prefer unlimited electronic transactions, Hope Credit Union's Easy Checking account, which is upgradable after a year, could be a good choice.
Important to know: A minimum balance of $25 is required and there is a $9.95 monthly service fee, although if you maintain a minimum balance of $200, that service fee will be waived. Also, a $25 opening balance is required to start an account.
Key features:
Free mobile and online banking with bill pay
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Arkansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Tennessee
Farmers & Merchants State Bank's Clean Start Checking
If writing checks is important to you, you'll like the Farmers & Merchants State Bank Clean Start account as it allows free unlimited check writing. The account offers direct deposit, free online banking, a free debit card and free 24-hour telephone banking.
Important to know: No monthly minimum balance is required, but the minimum deposit to open this account is $50. The account also comes with a $9.95 monthly service fee and you'll be hit with a $33.50 NSF fee should you bounce a check.
Key features:
Unlimited check writing
Upgradable based on individual
Service areas:
Indiana
Ohio
Read: 10 Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
City National Bank's Bounce Back Checking
One of the perks of banking with City National Bank is that it will waive the first two NSF fees you incur on your Bounce Back Checking account. Of course, part of the purpose of a second-chance checking account is to prove that you won't bounce checks, so hopefully this feature will go unused.
Important to know: Upon your third NSF violation, City National Bank will charge a fee of $36 per item and reserves the right to not pay the item. An $8.99 monthly service fee applies, which can be lowered to $6.99 with direct deposit.
Key features:
First two NSF fees waived
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Kentucky
Ohio
Virginia
West Virginia
Centennial Bank's Opportunity 100 Checking
You can open a Centennial Bank Opportunity 100 Checking account online with an opening deposit of $100. Personal checks are available and you'll also get free online banking and basic bill pay.
Important to know: No monthly minimum balance is required, but the monthly service fee is $12.95, which can be lowered to $9.95 with direct deposit. The account does not overdraft privileges so an NSF fee of $30 is charged for every applicable item.
Key Features
Free online banking with bill pay
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
BBVA Compass's Easy Checking
With unlimited check writing and free online and mobile banking, including bill pay, BBVA Compass Bank's Easy Checking is a convenient way to take advantage of a second chance at banking.
Important to know: Although there is no minimum monthly balance requirement, there is a relatively steep $13.95 monthly service fee and a $32 NSF fee. To open an account, you'll need to deposit $25.
Key features:
Unlimited check writing
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
New Mexico
Texas
Vantage Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
The Fresh Start Checking account is offered by Vantage Credit Union's Missouri affiliates and offers an account with no minimum opening balance or monthly balance. The account comes with unlimited check writing.
Important to know: Vantage Credit Union's Fresh Start account charges a $15 monthly fee as well as a $35 NSF fee for any overdrafts. However, you'll be eligible to upgrade to a regular account with fewer or no fees if you maintain good standing for 12 consecutive months.
Key features:
Unlimited check writing
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Missouri
Republic Bank's Checking Builder
Republic Bank offers a checking account for people who want to rebuild their checking account privileges within 12 months. The Check Builder account offers unlimited check writing, no monthly minimum balance requirement, free online banking and the ability to use bill pay.
Important to know: As with most other accounts, there are fees with this one. For example, the monthly maintenance fee is $12.95, which can be reduced to $7.95 with a direct deposit sign-up or 20 point-of-sale check card purchases. You'll also need to deposit $50 to open the account.
Key features:
Eligible to open a savings account
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Florida
Indiana
Kentucky
Ohio
Tennessee
Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
The ACFCU Fresh Start Checking account promises the immediate issuance of a free Visa check card and no minimum monthly balance requirements. The account is available to customers whose names are on file with ChexSystems, although some restrictions can apply.
Important to know: The monthly service fee is $10 and to open this checking account, you'll need $20 to deposit. The bank has seven branches in Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia.
Key features:
Low initial deposit requirement of $20
Visa check card
Upgradable, but no specific time frame
Service areas:
Kentucky
Tennessee
Virginia
Fort Worth City Credit Union's Independence Checking
Fort Worth City Credit Union's Independence Checking account is for people who want to upgrade to a regular checking account in less than a year: Eligibility for an upgrade comes after just six months.
Important to know: The $7 monthly service fee can be waived as long as your monthly direct deposits total at least $1,000. The account comes with a "no courtesy pay" policy, which means that on top of the NSF fee of $20 you'll be charged $1 per day when your balance drops below $0.
Key features:
Free online banking and bill pay
Upgradable after six months of good activity
Service areas:
Texas
Foothill Credit Union's Rebound Checking
Foothill Credit Union offers its Rebound Checking account for those who want to reestablish their good name in banking. The credit union requires $50 to open the account, along with a minimum balance requirement of $50 to avoid a higher monthly service fee.
Important to know: The $6 monthly service fee jumps to $10 if you fail to keep $50 in your account at all times. NSF violations are charged a $28 fee and your account can be closed for negative activity.
Key features:
Free online banking and bill pay
Upgradable after one year of good activity
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
California
Wells Fargo's Opportunity Checking
If you're looking to restart your checking account responsibility with a large bank that has a nationwide presence, Wells Fargo offers could be the answer. Its second-chance checking account, Opportunity Checking, requires a $50 deposit to get started and is upgradable after 12 months.
Important to know:
The $10 monthly service fee can be avoided if one of the following applies:
You keep a $1,500 minimum daily balance.
You make 10 or more debit card purchases or deposits.
You have at least $500 worth of direct deposits each statement period.
Key features:
Free online and mobile banking
More than 13,000 ATMs and 6,000 retail banking stores nationwide
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in responsible use
Service areas:
All 50 states
Bank of the Ozarks' Pathway Checking
If you've had a spotty checking account history, you're used to penalties, so a $50 bonus for good money management probably sounds pretty good. With the Pathway Checking account from Bank of the Ozarks, a $50 deposit will be made into your account after 12 months in good standing.
Important to know: The account has no minimum balance requirements, but there is a monthly service fee of $10 and an opening deposit requirement of $50. Pathway Checking offers free bill pay, but only for the first 15 payments per month. After that, each will cost you 50 cents.
Key features:
$50 bonus after 12 months in good standing
No minimum balance requirement
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
North Carolina
New York
South Carolina
Texas
MainSource Bank's Fresh Start Checking
MainSource Bank's Fresh Start Checking account features free online and mobile banking, free bill pay when you opt for e-statements, and unlimited free check writing. It also offers an upgrade after 12 months of responsible banking.
Important to know: You'll need to deposit $25 to open this account, and there are various monthly service fees: $14 per statement cycle, $12 per statement cycle with e-statements or direct deposit, or $10 per statement cycle with both e-statements and direct deposit.
Key features:
Unlimited check writing
Free online and mobile banking
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Indiana
Read: 10 Best Online Banks of 2016
Webster Bank's Opportunity Checking
East Coast bank Webster Bank offers a free Visa debit card, no-fee check writing and no minimum balance requirement. On the other hand, you'll need to deposit $50 to open the account and it'll cost you up to $16.95 per month to maintain it.
Important to know: At $16.95 per month, this bank charges the highest monthly service fee of any of the 20 second-chance checking accounts, so be sure this one has other features that work for you. You can reduce the monthly fee to $11.95 if you have direct deposit. Keep in mind that the bank website contains the disclaimer that miscellaneous fees might apply.
Key features:
Visa debit card
Upgradable to regular checking account after 12 months in good standing
Service areas:
Connecticut
Rhode Island
New York
Massachusetts
Corporate America Family Credit Union's Fresh Start Checking
Corporate America Family Credit Union serves 11 states and offers this second-chance account to its members. To help account holders manage their accounts, the credit union offers free access to "Get In Balance," an online study course.
Important to know: You'll need $100 to open this checking account and you must maintain a $100 minimum balance to keep it open. Even when meeting these requirements, you'll pay a $10 monthly service fee.
Key features:
Access to an online money managing study course
Annual assessment for upgrade eligibility
Service areas:
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Georgia
Illinois
Kansas
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia
Methodology: To form the list of top second-chance checking accounts, GOBankingRates weighted five key features offered: (1) minimum opening balance required; (2) monthly service fee (based on the lowest possible); (3) minimum monthly balance required; (4) insufficient funds fee; and (5) number of states served. Each bank received points based on these factors.
GOBankingRates is a personal finance and consumer interest rate website owned by ConsumerTrack, Inc., an online marketing company serving top-tier banks, credit unions, and other financial services organizations. Some companies mentioned in this article might be clients of ConsumerTrack, Inc., which serves more than 100 national, local and online financial institutions. Rankings and roundups are completely objective, and no institution, client or otherwise, paid for inclusion or specific placement. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the companies included in the article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Best Second-Chance Checking Accounts