Affordable Banking Without Barriers

Opening an affordable bank account is a top priority for navigating life after release—it’s the most reliable and least costly way to get paid, manage your bills, and protect your savings.

The Fresh Start Banking Guide connects justice-involved people to information on financial institutions with lower barriers to account opening –– like no minimum balances or standard credit checks. While this guide is not exhaustive and does not guarantee an account will be accepted, it's a great place to start.

First Step Alliance works closely with several community-based financial institutions to facilitate access to affordable banking programs. Typical accounts features include:​​​