A little preparation. A clearer next step.
Make a plan to open an account.
A previous denial, questions about ID, or worries about fees? Answer four questions to get three next steps and questions for a bank or credit union.
No sign-up or personal details. Your answers stay in this page and are not saved by this site.
Your next steps
A plan you can act on.
Only the institution can confirm documents, current fees, eligibility and approval. Use its official website or a verified phone number. This plan is general preparation, not an application.
bankonusa.org/open-an-account/ · A resource from My True Prosperity. Independent of the CFE Fund, official Bank On initiative and U.S. Treasury.
Useful for any account conversation
Your general checklist.
Want someone to help?
Financial Empowerment Centers offer free individual counseling in participating cities and counties. Check the provider for locations and appointments.
Find free financial counseling ↗ (opens in a new tab or window)Getting ready for a new job?
Use our first-paycheck toolkit to prepare payroll questions and plan for the days before and after your first payment.
Open the first-paycheck toolkit →Sources: CFPB account-opening checklist (PDF) (opens in a new tab or window), CFPB checking-account denial guidance (opens in a new tab or window), and the CFE Fund’s official account directory (opens in a new tab or window).
Resources reviewed September 28, 2026. Report a broken link or suggest an improvement.