Fresh Start Checking

Your Financial Rebuild Solution

Join Now
Smiling woman in sunglasses posing against a blue background
Smiling woman holding the brim of her straw hat on a sandy beach

What is the Fresh Start Checking Account?

Perhaps you’ve had a difficult time and run into problems with your finances. If you’ve ever had trouble getting a bank account due to a limited or poor credit history, it may be time to consider a Fresh Start Checking account at Focus Federal Credit Union. 

Fresh Start Checking offers a chance to start over after previous financial mistakes. These accounts are ideal for rebuilding your credit history and gaining additional rewards. While rebuilding your finances, FFCU will help you develop responsible budgeting tools and good financial habits. 

Foundation Building

Money Management

Member Rewards

Key Benefits of Fresh Start Checking

Getting a second chance bank account is more than just having a safer place to put your paycheck. It’s about creating a more robust financial foundation for your life. As a member, you can do everything needed for everyday transactions and money management.

Get Started

Banking On-the-Go

  • 24/7 mobile banking
  • Anywhere banking tools
  • E-statements
  • Remote deposits
  • Access to more than 16,000 fee-free ATMs

Account Perks

  • No checks to manage
  • Free online bill pay
  • Free debit card
  • Unlimited transactions

Additional Benefits

A checking account is vital to managing your finances, but a Fresh Start Checking account can offer you another shot at banking if you’re having trouble getting one.

You can also access the following:

Smiling man in glasses using a smartphone while sitting on the floor in a living room

Easy Direct Deposit Setup

Access to direct deposit, so your money is deposited quickly into your account.

Personalized Financial Counseling 

Get face-to-face advice to counsel you on budgeting, debt payoff, and other areas of money management. 

Smiling older man in an argyle sweater vest standing outdoors in a sunlit park
Smiling father carrying his daughter outdoors with her arms outstretched

Options to Upgrade Your Account

A Fresh Start account isn’t a permanent account type. After six consecutive months with no overdrafts and upon your request, you can convert your account to a Focus Federal Credit Union checking account of your choice.

Common Questions About Fresh Start Checking

Fresh Start Checking contains no-waiver account fees, strict requirements, and no overdraft service. Once you establish a better history, you can convert to a Focus Federal Credit Union traditional checking account, which includes plenty of benefits. 

A monthly service charge of $9.99 keeps your Fresh Start Checking account active.

Fresh Start Checking accounts offer unlimited transactions, so you don’t have to worry about additional multi-transaction fees. 

You must complete your employer’s direct deposit authorization forms and submit a voided check to set up direct deposit.

After six consecutive months with no overdrafts and upon your request, you can convert your account to a Focus Federal Credit Union checking account of your choice. If denied the conversion option, you can reapply when you build an additional record of positive financial decisions.

Consider signing up for overdraft protection, which transfers funds from your linked savings account to your checking account when your balance is low.

The NCUA protects your money against bank failure, up to $250,000 per depositor for each qualifying ownership category.

Focus Federal Credit Union requires six consecutive months of no overdrafts to ensure you’re heading in a positive financial direction. You can then request to convert your account to a traditional checking account.

How to Open Your Fresh Start Checking Account

You can open a Fresh Start Checking account with Focus Federal Credit Union by completing an application and becoming a member. Two forms of identification are required. The minimum balance required for opening an account is $50. A monthly service of $9.99 is charged to keep the account active.

Apply online today