For people that are locked out of Banking by Chex Systems or EWS or just have too many overdrafts prepaid cards are now available pretty much anywhere with little to no fees.
Overdraft is nearly impossible on a prepaid account. The only issue is that some of the best cards are from Banks that own a piece of Early Warning Systems and they still do not allow people on that to get their cards or branches are confused as to whether they can give an account to anyone regardless of Chex or EWS.
Here is a list of the best prepaid banking options:
Regions Bank Now Account has no fees if you use direct deposit and deposit $500 or more in a month. Cash deposits are free at a Deposit Smart ATM but cost $3 through a teller.
Regions will not give accounts to someone on EWS.
http://www.regions.com/virtualDocuments/Now-Banking-Terms.pdf
The US Bank Convenient Cash card. There is a $3 monthly fee but that's about it.
https://www.usbconvenientcash.com/index.cfm?pageid=g07
Chase Liquid Card. Liquid has a $4.95 a month fee but nearly everything else is free and they allow check deposits with $200 immediately available. Chase branches do not know whether they can give people this account without a Chex check.
https://www.chase.com/online/prepaid-card/document/Chase_Liquid_Terms_Conditions.pdf
PNC SmartAcess card. $5 monthly fee
https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Solutions.do?siteArea=/pnccorp/PNC/Home/Personal/PNC+SmartAccess+Prepaid+Visa+Card/PNC+SmartAccess+Prepaid+Visa+Card+-+Fees
