Bank on San Jose works to assist San Jose’s “unbanked” households open checking and personal savings accounts, build
a credit history, gain access to lower-cost sources of credit, and
invest for their future.  This collaborative initiative brings the
unbanked population into the financial mainstream by opening
specially designed starter bank accounts while also stressing the
importance of and providing opportunities for financial education. 
United Way Silicon Valley serves as the fiscal and coordinating
agent for this initiative bringing together California’s Office of the
Governor, financial institutions, the City of San Jose, federal bank
regulatory agencies and community organizations. 

Starter Bank Accounts

Bank on San Jose provides an opportunity for an individual to gain
immediate access to a new account with any one of the
participating banks or credit unions as well as access to free
financial education. 

Second Chance Accounts

For persons that have been placed into the ChexSystem, Bank on
San Jose provides an opportunity for an individual to gain
immediate access to a new account with any one of our
participating banks or credit unions.  If a person has been in the
ChexSystem for more than 1 year, he/she can go to any of the
participating financial institutions to access the new account right
away.  For those people recently placed in the ChexSystem less
than one year ago, they must pass the Bank on San Jose
Financial Education Quiz.  Please see the links above for a listing
of our weekly Bank on Basics classes and the Bank on San Jose
Financial Education Quiz.  

For those persons not able to attend the weekly class, they may
access an online financial education course. However, persons in the ChexSystem must complete in-person course AND bring Financial Education Certificate to a participating bank or credit union in order to be eligible for a Second Chance Account.