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

  • Daniel Weiss Daniel Weiss
  • July 19, 2021

ChexSystems can be a real pain to deal with when you’re trying to get a bank account opened in your name. It was established as a system to monitor and screen people who are looking to open checking and savings accounts. But the side effects of this kind system can result in you being unable to open a bank account even if you haven’t done anything shady.

Fortunately, there are still more than a couple of banks in South Carolina that don’t use ChexSystems for verification. We’ll be looking at some of these banks as well as what your options look like if you get flagged by ChexSystems.

Your Top Pick

BBVA Online Checking

BBVA is one of the most well-known banks for South Carolina residents that are looking for a second chance bank account.

You can open this account with as little as $25 for your initial deposit.

Why is it recommended for you?

Right now, a free checking account at BBVA is the only trusted option for customers looking for a Second Chance Checking account with high approval rate and excellent features and conditions. Use this opportunity to rebuild your credit while having a bank account with no restrictions.

  • Relaxed account opening requirements
  • Free ATM withdrawals on BBVA ATMs
  • Online and mobile banking facilities included
  • Customizable banking alerts
  • No hidden fees or ATM charges
  • Online & mobile banking facilities included
  • Customizable banking alerts
  • Available nationwide (except Alaska and Hawaii)
  • Member FDIC

You can open this account with as little as $25 for your initial deposit

Open a BBVA Account Now!

Local Banking Options

Following is the web's most comprehensive list of banks and credit unions in South Carolina that do not use ChexSystems and which may approve you for a bank account.

Please note that any unsuccessful attempt to open an account may have a negative impact on your credit history and score.

To avoid this, please check if there are any proven, top picked solutions are available in your area (listed above) or on our page with best non-ChexSystems banks and other banking alternatives.

See more: Comprehensive List of Non-ChexSystems Banks

Another note to add is that it's a good idea to get your free annual report and try to dispute ChexSystems.

This list also contains email responses from banks as well as applicants’ personal experiences and comments. This page is updated regularly, so please consider adding it to your bookmarks.

Carolina Collegiate Federal Credit Union Rebound Checking

Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union Encore Checking

GAFCU (Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union) Fresh Start Checking

Vital Federal Credit Union Fresh Start Checking

  • FSNB
    Form of Verification:

    Credit report and ID

    Special Notes

    You DO NOT have to be military to get an account

    FSNB is now open to anyone regardless of being in their location. Take advantage of this while you can. It may not last. ** FSNB now uses a credit report and many people have been turned down due to credit issues ** They do not use ChexSystems or TeleCheck …most people are still being approved

    FSNB charges $1 fee for not using one of their ATM's, plus any 'foreign' ATMs You have to call them and ask for new accounts, telling them that you wish to open a new checking account ..an application will be mailed out to you

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings

    Learn more about FSNB
  • South Carolina Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    Credit report and TeleCheck

    Email from Bank:

    Thank you for your email! We appreciate your interest in applying for an account with South Carolina Federal Credit Union. We offer a full range of financial products and services to meet all of your financial needs. We do check TeleCheck and pull an inquiry on your credit report. In order to apply for an account with us, you must fall within our field of membership.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking, savings and business accounts

    Learn more about South Carolina Federal Credit Union
  • Greenville Heritage Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    Credit report and ID

    Email from Bank:

    Greenville National Bank requires certain identification from the customer, name, address, SSN, date of birth to open any account. Credit reports are utilized to verify information. We look at your overall credit and are not looking for a score.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking, savings and business accounts

    Learn more about Greenville Heritage Federal Credit Union
  • Woodforest National Bank
    Form of Verification:

    ChexSystems and TeleCheck

    Special Notes
    • 2nd Chance account is $7.95 if you have direct deposit
    • $9.95 if you do not. There is a 15.00 monthly fee FOR A BUSINESS ACCOUNT
    • $25.00 one time debit card processing fee

    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.

    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
  • First Reliance Bank
    Form of Verification:

    ChexSystems

    Special Notes

    They have a special account designed for those that are unable to get an account called check and save ANYONE is eligible.

    Email from Bank:

    I decided to bite the bullet and open a checking account today at First Reliance bank even though they only offer an ATM card. Well to my surprise, they changed their policy two weeks ago!! NOW their second chance account comes with a VISA DEBIT Card!! And you can gets checks as well. (I didn't order checks from them since I am not sure who they use for check printing). And it's only $5 per month! YaY!! The process was quick and easy and the people in the branch could not have been any nicer. Great experience. Thanks :-)

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Second chance checking

    Learn more about First Reliance Bank
  • Founders Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    ID

    Special Notes

    They do not use ChexSystems

    Email from Bank:

    Founders does not use this system.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings accounts

    Learn more about Founders Federal Credit Union
  • BlueHarbor Bank
    Form of Verification:

    TeleCheck

    Special Notes

    I called and they only use TeleCheck, they do NOT use a credit report or ChexSystems.

    Email from Bank:

    Part of the account opening process does include a reference from TeleCheck. If there is any negative information, we cannot offer a transaction account.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking, savings and business accounts

    Learn more about BlueHarbor Bank
  • Clinton Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    TeleCheck

    Email from Bank:

    I called and they do use TeleCheck.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings accounts

    Learn more about Clinton Federal Credit Union
  • Singing River Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    TeleCheck

    Email from Bank:

    I called and they do not run a credit report. They use TeleCheck.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking, savings and business accounts

    Learn more about Singing River Federal Credit Union
  • Georgetown Kraft Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    TeleCheck

    Email from Bank:

    I called and they only use TeleCheck.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings accounts

    Learn more about Georgetown Kraft Credit Union
  • SPC Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    ChexSystems

    Special Notes

    Anyone eligible for membership can get a savings account.

    For savings they use OFAC

    Checking - ChexSystems (see email below)

    Email from Bank:

    You have to open a savings account first to be a member which requires a $25.00, OFAC approval, valid driver's license and social security card. As long as the debt has been cleared from ChexSystems and we can get an approval you should be able to open a checking account.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal savings and maybe a checking

    Learn more about SPC Credit Union
  • Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    ChexSystems

    Special Notes

    Encore Checking If you've experienced previous checking mishaps and are looking to re-establish a checking relationship, we hope to give you a second chance to make a good impression. Talk with us. Your less-than-perfect checking record will be reviewed to see if you qualify for this account and agree to the account restrictions. After six months of healthy account management, you may request to trade your ATM for a VISA® debit card. After twelve months, you may apply for another checking account. Encore Checking applicants are required to meet with a Member Service Representative to discuss account restrictions. Encore account holders are required to pay a $10 monthly service fee regardless of account balance.

    Email from Bank:

    I called and they said that if you are not eligible for regular checking due to ChexSystems they do offer Encore checking.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Second chance checking

    Learn more about Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
  • Safe Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    Equifax credit report

    Email from Bank:

    For new checking accounts, we do pull a credit report to determine if you can open a checking with SAFE FCU. We require a score of 550 or higher.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking, savings

    Learn more about Safe Federal Credit Union
  • Upstate Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    ChexSystems

    Email from Bank:

    It is my pleasure to tell you that, yes, we do have a product that we can offer to you even if you have a paid closure showing on ChexSystems.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Second chance checking

    Learn more about Upstate Federal Credit Union
  • AllSouth Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    TeleCheck and a credit report

    Special Notes

    They do not use ChexSystems

    Email from Bank:

    I called several locations and they only use TeleCheck and a credit report.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings accounts

    Learn more about AllSouth Federal Credit Union
  • Security Federal Bank
    Form of Verification:

    Credit report

    Email from Bank:

    The Bank requests a credit report on all signers when opening a new account.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking, savings and business accounts

    Learn more about Security Federal Bank
  • CPM Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    Equifax

    Special Notes

    They use Equifax but they only run it to see if they can help you with loans etc, not for opening an account but they do insist on running it when a checking is opened. For a savings ONLY they will not run the credit report.

    Email from Bank:

    I was able to get an account with CPM Federal Credit Union. They just check credit and not looking for a particular score. The just verify who you are.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings

    Learn more about CPM Federal Credit Union
  • Greenville Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    Credit report

    Special Notes

    They use Equifax and they look at your overall credit to determine if an account can be opened there.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings

    Learn more about Greenville Federal Credit Union
  • Spartan Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    TeleCheck

    Special Notes

    Anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Spartanburg County is now eligible to open an account at Spartan Federal Credit Union.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Personal checking and savings accounts

    Learn more about Spartan Federal Credit Union
  • Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union
    Form of Verification:

    Credit report

    Special Notes

    They do not use ChexSystems.

    Types of Accounts Offered:

    Checking and savings accounts

    Learn more about Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union
Banking