Bask Bank once focused almost entirely on savings products, but it now offers an interest-bearing checking account as well. That gives customers a way to keep spending and savings accounts under the same online bank.
Approval still depends on Bask Bank’s account review. A negative banking record may cause problems even though the Interest Checking account has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.
Bask Bank Checks ChexSystems
Bask Bank uses ChexSystems when it reviews new deposit account applications. Unpaid bank balances, involuntary account closures, returned payments, and suspected fraud may affect approval.
An entry from several years ago may receive different treatment from recent fraud or debt that remains unpaid. Bask Bank does not publish exact approval standards or identify which records always cause a denial.
The review applies to Bask Bank accounts rather than only its new checking product. Applicants for an Interest Savings Account, Mileage Savings Account, or certificate of deposit may also have their identity and banking information reviewed.
Bask Interest Checking Is a Newer Account Option
Bask Interest Checking gives customers debit card access and many of the services that were missing when Bask Bank only offered savings products.
The account currently earns a base rate of 1.00% annual percentage yield. It has no monthly account fee, minimum opening deposit, or minimum balance requirement. An unfunded account may be closed if it does not receive a deposit within 15 business days.
Bask Interest Checking includes:
- Visa debit card: Make purchases and withdraw cash anywhere the card is accepted.
- ATM access: Use more than 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.
- Direct deposit: Send paychecks and other eligible electronic deposits to the account.
- Zelle: Send and receive eligible payments through online or mobile banking.
- Bill Center: Review and pay eligible bills from your Bask Bank account.
- Internal transfers: Move money between eligible Bask accounts on the same day or instantly.
The account can work well for someone who already uses a Bask savings product and wants easier access to that money.
No Monthly Fee Does Not Mean Easier Approval
Bask Interest Checking has simple account terms, but Bask Bank does not present it as second chance checking.
The lack of a minimum balance only affects what happens after the account opens. It does not mean Bask Bank ignores negative deposit account history during the application.
Applicants with an older paid overdraft may still qualify. Recent fraud, repeated forced closures, or an unresolved balance may create a larger obstacle.
Bask Bank also operates online, so applicants cannot visit a branch and discuss a complicated banking record before applying. Customer support is available by phone, but the application and account are handled digitally.
Bask Bank Also Offers Two Savings Accounts
Bask Bank remains best known for its savings products. Customers can choose between cash interest and American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
The Bask Interest Savings Account currently earns 3.75% annual percentage yield. It has no monthly account fee or minimum balance requirement.
The Mileage Savings Account earns AAdvantage miles instead of cash interest. Bask Bank currently states that customers earn 1.75 miles annually for every dollar saved.
Neither savings account includes a debit card. Debit card and ATM access are limited to Bask Interest Checking.
This setup may appeal to customers who want:
- Checking interest: Earn interest on money kept available for everyday spending.
- High-yield savings: Keep emergency funds or short-term savings in the Interest Savings Account.
- Travel rewards: Earn airline miles instead of cash interest through Mileage Savings.
- Fast transfers: Move money between Bask accounts without sending it to another bank.
Certificates of Deposit Require $1,000
Bask Bank also offers certificates of deposit with several term lengths. Each certificate of deposit requires at least $1,000 within 10 business days after account opening. Otherwise, Bask Bank may close it.
Certificates of deposit have fixed rates for the selected term. An early withdrawal penalty may apply when money is removed before maturity.
These accounts are not substitutes for checking. They are better suited to money that can remain untouched for a set period.
Review Your Banking Record Before Applying
Check your ChexSystems consumer report before you submit a Bask Bank application when you have had previous account problems.
Focus on information that could affect an online application:
- Unpaid balances: Resolve valid debt when possible.
- Incorrect payment status: A paid balance should not still appear unpaid.
- Unknown accounts: An unfamiliar account may indicate identity theft.
- Incorrect dates: A wrong date can make an old problem appear recent.
- Closure details: Confirm that the former bank reported the reason correctly.
Accurate negative information can generally remain for five years. Payment usually does not remove a valid entry early, but the former financial institution should update the balance and status.
Dispute information that is inaccurate or incomplete. Include account statements, payment records, or identity theft documents that support the correction.
Bask Bank May Not Fit Someone Who Was Recently Denied
Bask Interest Checking has several strong features. It earns interest, charges no monthly account fee, and provides debit card access without a minimum balance requirement.
Its weakness is the lack of a clearly identified second chance account. Bask Bank does not promise approval for applicants with negative banking history, and its online-only model leaves little room for an in-person review.
Someone with an older resolved issue may decide the account is worth considering. A bank that does not use ChexSystems may offer a clearer option when recent fraud or unpaid bank debt remains.
Banking Options That Don’t Use ChexSystems
If you’ve had trouble opening an account at Bask Bank, these trusted banks make it easier to start fresh without the limitations of ChexSystems.
SoFi
- Up to $400 sign-up bonus with direct deposit
- No minimum opening deposit
- Earn up to 3.80% APY
- Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs
- Early pay with direct deposit
Current
- Build credit and earn points with every swipe
- No minimum opening deposit or maintenance fees
- Get paid up to 2 days faster
- No credit check or ChexSystems
Chime
- Up to 3.75% APY on a high-yield savings account
- Over 47,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Up to $200 fee-free overdraft coverage
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
Learn More
- Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems – Take the first step to rebuilding your banking history with our list of banks that do not use ChexSystems for account approval.
- Credit Unions That Don’t Use ChexSystems – Find a credit union that will work with you, not against you. Learn about the credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems.
- Am I in ChexSystems? – Unsure if you’re in ChexSystems? Learn how to find out and take control of your financial status.
- How to Get Out of ChexSystems – Learn how to get out of ChexSystems in four simple steps.
- Second Chance Checking Accounts – Take control of your financial future with our list of over 450 banks that offer second chance checking accounts.
Jake is a personal finance writer with a background in consumer lending and credit counseling. He specializes in credit education, debt management, and helping readers understand the financial systems that affect their daily lives. His goal is simple: cut through the jargon and give people the information they actually need.