About Fresh Start Banking

The First Step Alliance Fresh Start Banking Program improves access to safe and affordable banking products for justice-involved individuals. We make this Program available to the reentry community through partnerships with established not-for-profit financial institutions that offer fair and inclusive financial services. 

Our collaboration with Bank Dora makes it easy for returning citizens to open an affordable, Bank On certified* checking account through their mobile device. Dora is an all-digital bilingual banking experience powered by credit unions, featuring a fee-free, no-minimum checking account and no credit check. 

Download the free Dora app on your iPhone or Android device. Click for English or Spanish. Open an account in minutes and say goodbye to expensive check cashing services!

*the Dora account is Bank On certified, which means that it meets certain national account standards, including low costs, no overdraft fees and robust transaction capabilities such as a debit or prepaid card. Bank On, led by national nonprofit organization the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, works to ensure that everyone has access to a safe, affordable transactional banking account.

Download the Bank Dora App  (English)

Download the Bank Dora App  (Spanish)

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal:

It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill