If you’re someone who has 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 over drafting, there are many reasons why you may have been blacklisted by ChexSystems.
OUR TOP PICK
Best Non-ChexSystems Option for 2022
Most banks use ChexSystems to track the checking history of account 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 to get a bank account. In fact, you can open most of the bank accounts below in less than 5 minutes.
Best Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems of 2022
There are plenty of banks and credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems to choose from, all of which offer different features and benefits regardless of your banking history.
2. Aspiration
- Unlimited fee-free withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs
- Minimum opening deposit is $10
- Deposits are FDIC insured up to $2 million
- Get paid up to two days early
3. Chase
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- $100 bonus after 10 purchases in 60 days
- Over 16,000+ fee-free ATMs
- $4.95 monthly service fee
4. Current
- 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
5. Axos Bank
- No credit check
- No monthly service fees
- 100% reimbursement of ATM fees
- No overdraft fees
1. Chime
With Chime®, a bad credit score is no longer a deal-breaker. They offer an award-winning financial app and debit card with no credit check.
You can open a Chime Checking Account online with no monthly fees. And by that, we mean no overdraft fees, no monthly maintenance fees, no foreign transaction fees, and no minimum balance fees—ever.
Chime also offers a new way to build your credit with the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. It’s a secured credit card with no annual fees, no credit checks, and no interest charges.
They offer over 60,000 fee-free1 MoneyPass® and Visa® Plus Alliance ATMs. You can also deposit cash for free at over 8,500 Walgreens.
Chime is definitely the best option on this list.
2. Aspiration
With the Aspiration Spend & Save account, you can earn up to 5% APY, plus you get 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.
3. Chase
Chase is one of the most popular banks in the U.S. And now, they offer an account called Chase Secure Banking with no credit check, no ChexSystems, and no overdraft fees.
Account holders also get access to over 16,000 fee-free ATMs, free online bill pay, and free money orders and cashier’s checks. With 4,700 locations across the country, this is an excellent option for anyone who prefers having access to physical branches.
Opening a Chase Secure Banking account comes with a $100 cash bonus when you use the card for 10 purchases within 60 days. Account approval is immediate and you’ll receive your debit card within days. There is a small monthly service fee of $4.95; however, there is no minimum opening deposit to get started.
4. Current
Current is one of the fastest-growing mobile banking solutions in the U.S., with over one million members. However, Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Most importantly, Current does not use ChexSystems or pull your credit report.
Some features of the Current mobile banking account include fee-free overdraft protection of up to $100, 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs, and no minimum balance or hidden fees.
You can also get paid up to two days early with direct deposit and earn up to 15x points, and get cashback.
5. Axos Bank
The Axos Bank Rewards Checking account comes with no monthly maintenance fees, unlimited reimbursements of ATM fees in the US, and competitive cash back rewards.
There are no overdraft fees with this checking account. You also get unlimited free mobile deposits and your funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000.
There is a minimum deposit of $50 to open the account, but after that, there are no minimum balance requirements.
If you are looking for a checking account with no fees, Axos Bank is a strong choice.
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 place because you may not be able to access your account for as long as 30 days.
So, even if you have an existing checking account with a positive history, you run the risk of not having access to your own money with little to no warning at all.
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 online and mobile 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 mobile check deposits. Many of them also offer thousands of fee-free ATMs, so you have access to your cash any time you need it.
What to Know Before Choosing a Checking Account
Before opening a new checking account, even if it’s at one of the non-ChexSystems banks, be aware that you may have a record with another consumer 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.
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 still have some of the same features and benefits as ChexSystems banks and credit unions, such as overdraft protection, online banking, and bill pay. With a second chance bank account, you should also be able to upgrade to a standard checking account once you’ve established a positive banking history.
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 we mentioned above, sometimes a bank or credit union will offer second chance checking accounts to consumers who have a bad 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, but typically, you can do it at a major retail store like Walmart or online. However, there may be additional fees when you load money.
Secured Credit Cards: A secured credit card can help you get a card to make purchases online and in-store, but it does come with some major drawbacks. You need to use your own cash as collateral against the account, plus you’ll still pay interest on any credit card balances you don’t pay in full. These cards are generally used to improve your credit score.
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. Unlike traditional banks, however, your funds may not be FDIC-insured, so do some research before making a decision.
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.
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 (FCRA), banks and consumer reporting agencies like ChexSystems are both required to investigate disputes and remove any items that are unprovable or inaccurate.
Follow the simple steps provided on that page, and before you know it, you will be able to choose to do business with any bank you want.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
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.
