The Best Banks & Credit Unions in Georgia That Offer Second Chance Bank Accounts

Form of Verification: Credit report and EWS

Special Notes:

They do not use ChexSystems but they do use EWS. If you have a record with EWS, you will be denied.

Email from Bank:

We use Equifax and EWS for credit reporting when opening a new checking account.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings

Learn more about Georgia's Own Credit Union

Form of Verification: Credit report

Special Notes:

They do not use ChexSystems.

Email from Bank:

We do not use ChexSystems, TeleCheck, Early Warning, or a credit report when opening an account. The only thing needed is a valid picture ID from a state or government source. Examples would be a driver’s license or military ID. The initial account must be opened in person.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking, savings, and business accounts

Learn more about The Heritage Bank

Form of Verification: TeleCheck and Equifax

Special Notes:

Some people have been denied due to credit issues but they do not use ChexSystems or TeleCheck. You may apply online. Most are approved for the savings only.

Email from Bank:

We use the Equifax and TeleCheck systems.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings

Learn more about Associated Credit Union

Form of Verification: Credit report

Special Notes:

It has been reported that they are picky about credit.

Email from Bank:

Hello, thank you so much for inquiring via our Website! In order for us to process a checking account we would require a credit report, Savings accounts do not require this report.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking, savings and business checking

Learn more about Exchange Bank

Email from Bank:

We use a credit report 600 or higher of a score is required.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking, savings and business checking

Learn more about Altamaha Bank & Trust

Form of Verification: Credit report

Special Notes:

IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THEY ARE VERY PICKY ABOUT CREDIT BUT THEY DO NOT USE CHEXSYSTEMS.

Email from Bank:

WE USE CREDIT REPORTS. We don't determine by the score, we look at the past payment history, charge-off's, repossessions...that sort of things.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking, savings and business checking

Learn more about Bank of Eastman

Form of Verification: ChexSystems

Special Notes:

Need a second chance on a checking account? Look at the following features of HALLCO'S Secured Share Draft account:

This account was designed and created to help members rebuild their financial reputation. Below are the features that are unique to the Secured Share Draft Account.

6-month probation period: We will monitor your account for 6 months from the date the account is opened. Your account will be converted to a Silver Share Draft account after 6 months if there are no overdrafts, returned items, or other improper transactions. The 6-month probation period resets any time your account is overdrawn. Your account will be closed if the credit union determines there are any improper transactions. It is your responsibility to notify the credit union once you have completed your 6-months probation.

A deposit of $100 must be placed on hold in your savings until your account is converted to a Silver Share Draft account.

• No per check charges.
• You pay for the printing of your checks.
• Dividends will not be paid on this or the Silver Share Draft Account.
• You will have the choice of an ATM or Debit Card.
• There will be a $10 monthly account maintenance fee.
• Please refer to the Fee Schedule for other applicable charges.
• Education classes available.
• Free 24/7 Telephone and Internet access. You may be eligible for a secured VISA Credit Card

Types of Accounts Offered: Second chance checking

Learn more about HALLCO Community Credit Union

Form of Verification: TeleCheck and a credit report

Email from Bank:

We use TeleCheck but it is the same thing as ChexSystems. We also pull a credit report but we don't use it to decide whether or not we open the account.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings accounts

Learn more about GeoVista Federal Credit Union

Form of Verification: Equifax Credit report

Special Notes:

Anyone can get a savings but the checking depends on what is reported on the Equifax report.

Email from Bank:

We do pull a credit report when we open a savings and checking account. No, not for opening a savings account. Really I would say that with a checking account it just depends on the information more than the score. If you have had any charge-off's, bankruptcy filings, delinquencies, etc. a checking account application would need to be sent to the credit committee for their approval. - Just like a loan would. Sometimes it helps if you apply for a checking account with a debit card only - no checks.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings accounts

Learn more about North Georgia Credit Union

Form of Verification: Equifax credit report

Email from Bank:

I called and they said they do not look for a score but they look at the overall report.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings accounts

Learn more about Fort McPherson Credit Union

Form of Verification: Equifax credit report

Email from Bank:

I called and they look at the overall credit report

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings

Learn more about The Wright Credit Union

Form of Verification: ID

Special Notes:

They do not offer checking accounts but anyone eligible for a membership there can get a savings There is a required minimum deposit of $50.00 to open an account. This is not a fee, only a minimum balance for your membership in Workmen's Circle Credit Union. If you should ever choose to close your account, the $50.00 (plus earned dividends) will be returned to you.

Email from Bank:

We only verify identity

Types of Accounts Offered: Savings only

Learn more about Workmen's Circle Credit Union

Form of Verification: Equifax credit report

Special Notes:

For a checking you must have an E – level or higher but anyone can get a savings.

Email from Bank:

We do use a credit report

Types of Accounts Offered: Checking, savings accounts

Learn more about Chatham Federal Credit Union

Form of Verification: ChexSystems and TeleCheck

Special Notes:

You must apply in person and they are very friendly to those reported to ChexSystems.

2nd Chance account is $7.95 if you have direct deposit. $9.95 if you do not.

$25.00 one time debit card processing fee There is a 15.00 monthly fee FOR A BUSINESS ACCOUNT.

However, in 6 months or less, the branch determines if you can move to a regular account or open a savings in addition to the second chance account, regular accounts, you can open immediately!(complimentary overdraft) requiring no credit will kick in after 30 days. It is $500 for direct deposit or $300 without it.

All deposits are available immediately. ALSO! Phone and Online banking are immediate overnight and they're open 7 days! They are VERY friendly and nice to those reported to ChexSystems.

Email from Bank:

Before you can open an account with Woodforest National Bank we do run TeleCheck and ChexSystems. If you have any unpaid closures reported by a merchant or another financial institution on either one of these reports you will only qualify for our Second Chance Checking account. You will be able to open an account with us as long as we are able to properly verify your identity and you do not have an unpaid charged off account with Woodforest National Bank.

Types of Accounts Offered: Second chance checking

Learn more about Woodforest National Bank

Form of Verification: ChexSystems

Special Notes:

Anyone can get a savings and if the debt to the reporting bank is paid and no fraud is reported, you can get a checking later.

Email from Bank:

Yes, as long as you fall within our field of membership qualifications, you can open an savings account with a paid chexsystemS record. And as long as your savings account stays in good standing for the first 6 months of your membership you will then be eligible to open a checking account.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings accounts

Learn more about BOND Community Federal Credit Union

Form of Verification: TeleCheck

Email from Bank:

We use TeleCheck when opening new checking accounts.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking and savings

Learn more about Members United Credit Union

Form of Verification: ChexSystems

Special Notes:

They do offer second chance checking called a "Next Step Checking" for those reported to ChexSystems. They will look at

1. How old the report is
2. The dollar amount owed

Types of Accounts Offered: Second chance checking

Learn more about Flagstar Bank

Form of Verification: Equifax credit report

Special Notes:

They look at the overall credit but generally they are also looking for a score of about 600 or so.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about Flint Community Bank

Form of Verification: ChexSystems

Special Notes:

It has been reported by several people that you can open a checking as long as the debt to the reporting bank is paid and there is no fraud listed on the report.

Email from Bank:

Yes, you can still open up an account with us if the ChexSystems report states that everything has been paid and cleared.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about Renasant Bank

Form of Verification: See special notes

Special Notes:

Renasant Bank has now taken over all Crescent Bank locations.

You MUST apply online ..if you apply in person, the old locations of Crescent are still running ChexSystems and they will deny you. DO NOT apply for a business account in person either, they will not approve and they will close your personal account.

This is only good for those who apply online for a personal account. Other states are still approving in person for both personal and business accounts.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal Checking, savings, and business

Learn more about Atlantic Coast Bank

Form of Verification: ChexSystems

Special Notes:

Get started today with a Fresh Start Checking Account

• Only $100 to Open the Account
• No Minimum Balance Requirement
• ATM Privileges*
• Unlimited Check Writing

FREE Online Banking Plus, when your Fresh Start account has maintained good standing for 6 months, you may apply for a FREE debit card. Additionally, after your account has maintained good standing for a year, you may apply to have your account converted to the Atlantic Coast Bank checking product of your choice!

Types of Accounts Offered: Second chance checking

Learn more about Rochelle State Bank

Form of Verification: Credit report / Social security card and drivers license

Special Notes:

I verified that they do not use ChexSystems, TeleCheck, or EWS but they will run a credit report.

They do require a score of 620 or more and the report should not show a lot of write offs, collections, or bankruptcies. They will overlook medical collections.

Types of Accounts Offered: Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about South Georgia Banking Company

Form of Verification: ChexSystems

Special Notes:

Any eligible member can open a savings.

Email from Bank:

We do run ChexSystems when we open accounts. If you do have a record we can still offer you a savings account with a restricted Debit Card (the card will only work at ATM machines).

We also pull your credit report, but the score is not used in the decision of what accounts we can offer you. It is actually used as tool to help us provide savings to you.

Learn more about Interstate Unlimited Federal Credit Union

Form of Verification: ChexSystems and a credit report

Email from Bank:

Robins FCU will run a Chex Systems Report and a Credit Report (Equifax) on all prospective member’s. All prospective member’s within our field of member are eligible for a Savings Account. We do not deny member’s a Checking due to their credit. However, we do deny a Checking if the prospective member has a hit on record with Chex Systems. I hope this answers your questions.

Types of Accounts Offered: Savings only if reported to ChexSystems.

Learn more about Robins Federal Credit Union