22 Banks That Don't Use ChexSystems for 2023

If you’ve had issues with your checking account in the past, then you know that it can be difficult to find a new bank to take you on as a customer.

From too many instances of insufficient funds to excessive overdrafting, there are many reasons why you may have been blacklisted by ChexSystems.

OUR TOP PICK

Best Non-ChexSystems Option for 2023

Chime Checking Account

No credit check or ChexSystems
No minimum opening deposit or monthly service fee
Over 60,000+ fee-free ATMs

Apply Now

Most banks use ChexSystems to track the banking history of applicants. And most negative records remain in ChexSystems for five years. That’s a long time to go without a bank account.

Luckily, there are still many reputable banks that don’t use ChexSystems to qualify customers, so you don’t have to wait that long. In fact, with most of the options below, you can open a bank account in less than 5 minutes.

Best Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems of 2023

We have compiled a list of banks and credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems. You can take advantage of their features and benefits regardless of your banking history.

1. Chime

Crediful’s rating

Visit Site

Overview

No credit check or ChexSystems
No minimum opening deposit or monthly service fee
Over 60,000+ fee-free¹ ATMs
Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit²

2. Chase

Crediful’s rating

Visit Site

Overview

No credit check or ChexSystems
$100 bonus after 10 purchases in 60 days
Over 16,000+ fee-free ATMs
$4.95 monthly service fee

3. Current

Crediful’s rating

Visit Site

Overview

No credit check or ChexSystems
No minimum opening deposit or maintenance fees
Get paid up to 2 days faster
Overdraft up to $200 without any overdraft fees

4. Axos Bank

Crediful’s rating

Visit Site

Overview

No monthly service fees
100% reimbursement of ATM fees
No overdraft fees
$100 sign-up bonus

5. Albert

Crediful’s rating

Visit Site

Overview

Unlimited fee-free withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs
No minimum opening deposit
Get paid up to two days early
$150 sign-up bonus

: US Bank

US Bank utilizes ChexSystems for account screening, but has a reputation for being more relaxed with records than other banks. If you don’t have a history of fraud or owe any money to US Bank, you may be able to open a checking account with them.

US Bank has a checking account called Bank Smartly. Account holders receive a free US Bank Visa debit card and use of the mobile app.

If you have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more, US Bank will waive the $6.95 monthly maintenance fee. US Bank is accessible to banking customers across the United States.

Aspiration

With the Aspiration Spend & Save account, you can have both a regular checking account and a savings account which could earn up to 5% APY.

Aspiration also offers unlimited fee-free withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs. The minimum opening deposit is $10. Deposits are FDIC insured and you can get paid up to two days early.

The Aspiration debit card is made from recycled plastic. Deposits are 100% fossil fuel-free. And they even give you the option to plant a tree with every card swipe.

TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade offers a brokerage account with a comprehensive cash management account. As a client, you get unlimited check writing.

The cash management account gives you access to free online bill pay, as well as a free debit card with nationwide rebates on all ATM fees. In addition, there are no monthly fees if you maintain a $100 minimum daily balance. However, it’s important to note that a TD Ameritrade checking account is not FDIC-insured or bank guaranteed.

Navy Federal Credit Union

To qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union membership, you must be an active-duty or retired member of the military, which includes the Armed Forces, National Guard, Coast Guard, and the Department of Defense.

NFCU’s Free Easy Checking and Free Active Duty checking accounts do not use ChexSystems or Early Warning Services (EWS). These free checking account accounts have no minimum balance requirement or monthly service fees with a qualifying direct deposit.

SoFi

The SoFi Checking and Savings account has no overdraft fees, no minimum balance fees, and no monthly fees. Plus, the online bank offers 55,000+ fee-free ATMs within the Allpoint® Network.

SoFi also offers the option to get your paycheck up to 2 days sooner when you set up direct deposit.

You’ll also get a 3.75% APY on your savings accounts, and 2.50% APY on checking balances. Furthermore, you can get up to 15% cash back at local establishments with your SoFi debit card.

Langley Federal Credit Union

Langley FCU is another credit union not using ChexSystems. They are located in Virginia, but membership is open to customers in all 50 states.

You must first open a share savings account with a minimum deposit of $5 before you can open a checking account. There are no minimum balance or monthly service charges. In addition, they offer free mobile and online banking, online bill pay, and access to 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs Nationwide.

You can also get paid up to 3 days early with direct deposit.

FSNB

FSNB, formerly known as Fort Sill National Bank, is a viable alternative for personal banking that does not require ChexSystems or credit checks for approval.

It offers a range of banking services including checking, savings, loans, and credit cards. Additionally, FSNB provides specialized checking accounts and services catering to military personnel.

The Basic Checking account has a $5 minimum deposit, and you need a daily minimum of $75; otherwise, you’ll be charged a fee of $5.50. In addition, you get a Visa CheckCard and free online banking services.

Renasant Bank

For people residing in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee, Renasant doesn’t look at your ChexSystems report, EWS, or Telecheck.

However, you won’t be eligible if you owe any money to the bank. All Renasant Bank checking accounts require a $50 minimum deposit, including its student checking account.

Checking accounts come with a Mastercard debit card. There is a monthly fee of $7.50 for all checking accounts unless you maintain a balance of $500 or more.

United Bank

United Bank has locations in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. You can open a new bank account with a $50 minimum deposit. There is no minimum balance requirement or monthly fees.

You can also upgrade to rewards checking, where you earn cashback rewards and discounts on movies, theme parks, and prescriptions. It’s only $10 a month, or you can have the fee waived if you reach 15 purchase transactions monthly or have a minimum of $500 in regular deposits.

Varo Bank

Varo Bank also known as Varo Money, is an online-only bank that provides a full range of banking services. It operates exclusively online or through its mobile app, as it does not have any physical branches.

Varo is open to all Americans, but it primarily targets millennials and young people who seek an alternative banking experience to traditional banks.

There are no monthly fees or minimum deposits with Varo. Account holders also get early access to direct deposit payments. Direct deposits usually post on the same day they’re received. You can also transfer money through various platforms such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal and more.

Varo Bank knows that just because you need second chance banking doesn’t mean you want substandard service. Your account comes with a free Visa debit card, access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs, and free paper check mailing.

1st Convenience Bank

1st Convenience Bank is a branch of 1st National Bank Texas, and it’s only available in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Arizona.

You’ll need a minimum deposit of $20 to open a new checking account, and the monthly service charge is $5. However, you can avoid all monthly fees if certain conditions are met.

Huntington National Bank

Huntington has locations in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Huntington Bank does make use of ChexSystems, but you can still be eligible to open a checking account as long as you don’t owe the bank any money. However, those with an EWS record may not qualify for a checking account.

For Huntington’s basic account, there is no minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance requirement.

Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank offers several checking accounts that do not utilize ChexSystems, including My Way Checking. This account comes with the basic features you’d expect, like a free debit card, online banking, and bill pay.

You can open an account with a minimum deposit of $50. And you can get the monthly fee waived by meeting certain requirements.

GoBank

GoBank is a practical option for anyone looking for an online checking account that doesn’t pull your ChexSystems report. With this checking account, you can avoid the monthly fee of $8.95 with a $500 direct deposit.

You can also receive your pay up two days sooner and access your government benefits four days prior to their regular disbursement date.

Additionally, GoBank offers free ATM withdrawals at over 42,000 ATMs. And the bank gives its customers access to a wide variety of budgeting and money management tools.

Regions Bank

Regions Bank offers multiple checking accounts. They come with monthly fees ranging from $5 to $18. However, in some cases those fees can be waived if you meet specific requirements.

The Regions Now Checking is a viable option for anyone who wants a basic checking account from a bank that doesn’t look at your ChexSystems report. The minimum opening deposit is $10, and the monthly fee is $5. It offers unlimited check writing and access to online bill pay.

Bank OZK

Bank OZK was formerly called Bank of the Ozarks. For a minimum initial deposit of $25 – $50, Bank OZK offers four separate checking account regardless of your ChexSystems history.

The monthly fee for these checking account is between $5 – $12. Once you start using your account, there’s no minimum balance requirements.

Axiom Bank

Axiom specializes in serving individuals with poor credit histories. They offer a variety of personal and business banking and financing services, including an Opportunity Checking account for those starting fresh with banking.

The account includes features such as eStatements, mobile banking, and access to a network of ATMs. It also has no minimum balance and a small opening deposit.

What is ChexSystems?

ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency that collects information about issues you’ve had with deposit accounts.

Over 80% of banks and credit unions use ChexSystems to retrieve and supply information on closed checking and savings accounts when problems occur.

If you’ve ever had issues with a bank account, such as overdrafts, bounced checks, returned checks, or negative balances you may have a ChexSystems record.

Why do banks use ChexSystems?

ChexSystems helps financial institutions determine the risk of accepting new customers. From the bank’s perspective, an individual who misuses or mismanages their bank account is likely to do it again.

If you have a history of having bank accounts closed for negative reasons, the information will remain on your ChexSystems file for up to five years.

Why You Need a Non-ChexSystems Account

A non-ChexSystems checking account can be beneficial even if you already have another bank account.

Why? Banks and credit unions that use ChexSystems may conduct a sweep of all existing customers and freeze any bank accounts of individuals who have had a record created.

This can be troublesome if you have all of your money in one bank account because you may not be able to access it for 30 days.

So, even if you have an existing checking account with a positive history, you run the risk of not being able to access your own money with little to no warning.

Benefits of Online Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems

You may have noticed that some of the banks that don’t use ChexSystems above are online banks. These banks offer checking and savings accounts that are typically available to residents of all 50 states.

Most of the other checking accounts listed above are also available to all U.S. citizens, even if their branch locations are not in your state. You can simply open an account online and use their mobile and online banking features.

While it’s nice to be able to visit a local bank or credit union branch when you need to, many of the banks we’ve listed offer mobile check deposit. Many of them also offer thousands of ATMs, so you have free access to your cash any time you need it.

What to Look for in a Bank Account That Doesn’t Use ChexSystems

When looking for a bank account that doesn’t use ChexSystems, there are a few key factors to consider:

Fees: Look for a bank account that has minimal or no fees. Some common fees to watch out for include monthly maintenance fees, ATM fees, and account closure fees.
Minimum balance requirements: Some checking accounts may require you to maintain a minimum balance to avoid fees. You may want to find one that doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement or has a low minimum balance requirement that you can easily meet.
Accessibility: Consider a checking account that provides easy access to your money. This might include a large network of ATMs, free online banking, and mobile banking options.
Deposit options: Make sure the bank account you choose allows you to deposit money in a variety of ways, such as mobile check deposits, direct deposits or in-person deposits.
Availability: Check the availability of the bank account in your area, some bank may have a wide network of branches and ATMs, while others may only be available online.
Specialized services: Some banks may offer specialized services such as military banking, student banking, or online-only banking that may be of interest to you.

What to Know Before Choosing a Checking Account

Before opening a new bank account, even if it’s a non-ChexSystems bank account, be aware that you may have a record with another credit reporting agency. TeleCheck and Early Warning Systems are two others that some banks use.

Some banks and credit unions may also pull your credit report with one of the three major credit bureaus. While this is rare when opening a checking or savings account, there are some financial institutions that do it.

Other Alternatives to Banking Without ChexSystems

If you prefer to explore other options besides banks that don’t use ChexSystems, you do have some choices. Here are the top alternatives to banking without ChexSystems, along with the pros and cons of each choice.

Second Chance Checking: As mentioned, sometimes a bank or credit union will offer second chance checking accounts to consumers who have a negative banking history. These accounts are sometimes called “fresh start checking” or “opportunity checking.” There are even some big banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America that offer second chance banking.

Prepaid Debit Cards: A prepaid debit card acts very similarly to a regular debit card. The difference is you usually do have to pay a monthly fee of a few dollars. Each prepaid debit card has different ways to upload money. Typically, you can do it at a major retail store like Walmart or online. However, there may be additional fees when you load money. Check out this list of top-rated prepaid debit cards.

Secured Credit Cards: With a secured credit card, you can make purchases online and in stores. However, it does come with some drawbacks. A cash security deposit is required, and any credit card balances not paid in full will incur interest. These cards are generally used to improve your credit score. Here are some of the best secured credit cards.

Online Services: Some reputable websites like PayPal offer e-wallet services to let you store your cash and pay online. You may even be able to qualify for a debit card. However, unlike a traditional checking account, your funds may not be FDIC-insured, so consider your options carefully.

Foreign Bank Accounts: Live near the Canadian or Mexican border? Consider opening a bank account in another country. It sounds extreme, but foreign banks may have different approval requirements you could benefit from.

FAQs

Can I open a bank account while I’m in ChexSystems?

It’s still possible to open a new checking account even if you’ve been denied due to a negative ChexSystems report. There are numerous banks and credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems.

Some banks also offer second chance banking opportunities and checking accounts for bad credit.

What’s the difference between non-ChexSystems and second chance banking?

Banks that don’t use ChexSystems and second chance checking accounts generally have quite a bit in common. The main difference is that second chance banks may still use ChexSystems, but they’re willing to give you a second chance anyway.

Similar to non-ChexSystems banks, second chance bank accounts usually have either a low balance requirement or none at all. However, with a second chance checking account, you’ll most likely have to pay a monthly maintenance fee.

The best second chance checking accounts offer many of the same features and benefits you’d find with a ChexSystems bank or credit union. This includes overdraft protection, online banking, and bill pay. With a second chance bank account, you can typically upgrade to a standard checking account once you’ve established a positive banking history.

Can I open a bank account if I owe another bank money?

If you owe money to a bank, you most likely won’t be able to open an account at another bank that uses ChexSystems. You’ll need to look for checking accounts at a bank that does not use ChexSystems.

Bottom Line

While this list of banks that don’t use ChexSystems is a great start, we also explain how to get out of ChexSystems so that you can clear your name from their database. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, banks and consumer reporting agencies like ChexSystems are required to investigate disputes and remove inaccurate or unprovable items.

Follow the simple steps provided on that page, and before you know it, you’ll be able to choose any bank you like.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment ﬁle from the payer. Chime generally make these funds available on the day the payment ﬁle is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

7. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or beneﬁts payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, veriﬁcation or trial deposits from ﬁnancial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.