City National Bank targets customers who want relationship banking rather than a basic low-cost checking account. Its standard account requires a $1,000 opening deposit and charges a sizable monthly fee unless you maintain enough money in the account.
The bank also reviews your prior deposit account history. An unresolved balance or serious account closure may prevent approval before account costs even become relevant.
City National Bank Checks ChexSystems
City National Bank uses ChexSystems when it reviews checking and savings account applications. Negative information may affect approval.
ChexSystems can include unpaid negative balances, returned checks, forced account closures, and suspected fraud. City National Bank may also compare your application with its internal records and other identity verification sources.
The bank doesn’t publish a list of entries that always cause a denial. An older problem that has been paid may receive different treatment from recent fraud or money that you still owe another financial institution.
City National Bank makes the final decision. ChexSystems only supplies information for the bank to consider.
City National Bank Has No Second Chance Checking Account
City National Bank doesn’t advertise a checking account for customers with negative banking history. Its current lineup includes Personal Checking, Personal Checking Plus, and Preferred Platinum Checking.
Each account follows the bank’s normal application review. Choosing the least expensive option won’t help you bypass a ChexSystems check.
This makes City National Bank a poor fit for someone who needs a clear second chance account. Applicants with unresolved bank debt or recent suspected fraud may have better odds with a financial institution that has more flexible screening rules.
Personal Checking Requires $1,000 to Open
Personal Checking is City National Bank’s entry-level account, but its requirements are higher than those at many national and online banks.
You need at least $1,000 to open the account. City National Bank charges a $20 monthly maintenance fee unless you maintain an average daily balance of at least $3,000. Nevada customers pay a lower $12 monthly fee when they don’t meet the waiver requirement.
The account provides unlimited transactions and access to several overdraft protection choices. Some overdraft protection services require separate credit approval.
The main costs include:
- Opening deposit: You need at least $1,000 to establish the account.
- Monthly fee: The standard monthly maintenance fee is $20.
- Fee waiver: Maintain an average daily balance of at least $3,000.
- Overdraft protection: You may link an eligible savings account or apply for a qualifying credit line.
Personal Checking may work for someone who regularly keeps several thousand dollars in checking. It offers little value for someone who expects to carry a small balance.
Personal Checking Plus Rewards Larger Relationships
Personal Checking Plus adds ATM benefits and removes the monthly fee from one eligible savings or money market account. It also provides complimentary cashier’s checks.
The account requires $1,000 to open and charges $25 per month. You can avoid that fee with at least $7,500 in combined qualifying balances or $2,500 in eligible direct deposits.
City National Bank also refunds up to three surcharges from other ATM operators, with a maximum reimbursement of $15 per statement period.
Personal Checking Plus may make sense when you:
- Receive larger direct deposits: At least $2,500 in eligible direct deposits can remove the monthly fee.
- Keep several accounts: Combined qualifying balances of $7,500 can also remove the fee.
- Use outside ATMs: The account offers limited surcharge reimbursements.
- Need cashier’s checks: City National Bank provides them without an added charge.
The account isn’t designed to help applicants recover from a past checking account denial. Its benefits focus on customers who keep more money with the bank.
Preferred Platinum Checking Targets Wealth Clients
Preferred Platinum Checking sits at the top of City National Bank’s personal checking lineup. The account offers tiered interest rates and access to wealth planning services.
City National Bank charges a $50 monthly fee unless the customer maintains at least $250,000 across qualifying deposit, wealth management, and loan accounts.
That requirement shows where City National Bank places much of its focus. The bank serves customers who want checking, lending, investment management, and financial planning under one relationship.
Preferred Platinum Checking isn’t a practical alternative for someone who has been denied a standard account because of ChexSystems.
City National Bank May Require Personal Contact
City National Bank doesn’t present a standard instant online application on its checking pages. Instead, the bank asks prospective customers to submit contact information so a representative can follow up.
To open a checking account, you’ll generally need:
- Identification: Provide a driver’s license, state identification card, or another accepted document.
- Social Security number: The bank uses it to confirm your identity.
- Home address: Supply your current residential address.
- Funding details: Provide a debit card or bank account for the opening deposit.
City National Bank lists those items on its checking account page.
A conversation with a banker may help you compare account requirements. It won’t guarantee approval after negative ChexSystems information appears.
Review Unpaid Bank Debt Before You Apply
Check your ChexSystems consumer report before contacting City National Bank. A $1,000 opening deposit won’t help if the bank denies the application because of an unresolved account problem.
Look for incorrect balances, accounts you don’t recognize, closure reasons that don’t match what happened, and debts that still appear unpaid after payment.
Accurate negative information can generally remain for five years. Paying a valid debt usually won’t remove the entry early, but the former financial institution should update the balance and payment status.
Dispute inaccurate information before applying. Include payment confirmations, account statements, or identity theft records that support your claim.
City National Bank Won’t Fit Every Applicant
City National Bank may appeal to customers who value personal service and keep higher balances. Its checking accounts offer relationship benefits, but even the basic option has a $1,000 opening deposit and a $20 monthly fee without the balance waiver.
The bank doesn’t provide a clear second chance checking option. Someone with recent fraud, unpaid bank debt, or several forced closures may face both approval problems and account requirements that don’t fit their situation.
A bank that doesn’t use ChexSystems may be a better place to start when past banking records remain unresolved. Someone who can pass the review should still compare City National Bank’s fees with lower-cost checking accounts before opening one.
Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems
If you’ve had trouble opening an account at City National Bank, there are several other banks that make it easier to start fresh without ChexSystems screening.
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.