How to Obtain a Checking Account With Bad Credit

A checking account is a secure account that is held by a bank or credit union. The account allows you to safely deposit and withdraw money, as long as the funds are available. It can also help you save costly check-cashing fees that banks charge when you do not have an account. When you have bad credit or have written checks on an account that did not have the funds available, you may have a hard time becoming eligible for another account.

Instructions

1

Obtain a copy of your Chex systems report if you have been turned down for a checking account in the past 90 days. You are entitled to a free report once a year from the Chex system website (see Resources).

2

Report any fraudulent activity to your bank and local authorities. You will also need to contact the credit bureaus and Chex systems. Provide them with proof of the police report. They can flag your account for fraud.

3

Pay any past bad checks to the institution that you are owing to. The Chex system report will tell you the amount that you owe and who you owe to. Once the debt is paid, the negative history will be removed from your Chex system account. You can request a letter from your past bank that tells the debt is clear.

4

Check with your local lending institutions to see if they offer second chance checking. This type of account usually is available for a small monthly fee. There are several banks online that offer second chance checking. United Community Bank and Century Bank and Trust are two banks that offer second chance checking.

5

Fill out the application for your new account. Provide the bank with all of your personal information. They will often need a copy of your drivers license and social security card. Once you account is open and you make your first deposit your account will be available for use.