MidFirst Bank offers personal checking in several markets, but its account names, fees, and opening requirements can differ by location. Past banking problems may also affect whether the bank approves your application.
Before you apply, check your banking history and confirm which MidFirst accounts are offered where you live. This can help you avoid an unnecessary denial or an account that costs more than expected.
MidFirst Bank Uses ChexSystems
MidFirst Bank uses ChexSystems when it reviews checking account applications. Negative information in your ChexSystems consumer report may affect whether the bank approves you.
The bank may consider the type of record, when it occurred, and whether you still owe money. An older overdraft that has been paid may receive different treatment from recent suspected fraud or an unpaid account balance.
MidFirst doesn’t publish a list of ChexSystems entries that always cause a denial. The bank may also verify your identity and review other information from your application.
Which ChexSystems Records May Affect Approval?
Recent or unresolved banking problems may create the largest obstacle. MidFirst may review records that point to unpaid debt, fraud concerns, or repeated account misuse.
Possible concerns include:
- Unpaid balances: Money owed to another bank or credit union may lower your approval chances.
- Suspected fraud: Fraud warnings or questionable deposits may lead to a denial.
- Forced account closures: An account closed by another financial institution may affect the decision.
- Repeated overdrafts: Several unpaid overdrafts may show continued account problems.
- Returned payments: Returned checks or electronic transfers may raise concerns.
- Previous MidFirst debt: An unpaid balance from an earlier MidFirst account may need to be resolved first.
A paid record may remain in your ChexSystems consumer report. Its updated status still shows that you resolved the debt.
MidFirst Checking Accounts Vary by Location
MidFirst doesn’t offer the same checking lineup in every market. Its main checking page lists Personal Checking and Preferred Checking, while some regional pages offer accounts such as Simply Checking, M Checking, Boost Checking, and Student Checking.
This makes location an important part of your comparison. An account that appears on MidFirst’s website may not be offered at your nearest banking center.
Ask MidFirst to confirm:
- Account availability: Find out which checking accounts are offered in your ZIP code.
- Opening deposit: Confirm whether you need to fund the account at opening.
- Monthly fee: Ask about the standard charge and each waiver method.
- Statement fee: Check whether paper statements cost extra.
- ATM benefits: Review MidFirst’s ATM policy for the account you choose.
- Overdraft settings: Decide whether you want eligible transactions paid or declined.
Get the current fee schedule for your state before you open an account.
Simply Checking May Have No Monthly Fee
MidFirst offers Simply Checking in certain markets. Current regional fee disclosures show no monthly service charge and no minimum opening deposit for accounts opened at eligible banking centers. Availability depends on location.
The account provides standard services for everyday banking, which may include:
- Debit card access: Make purchases and withdraw cash.
- Digital banking: Review transactions and transfer money online.
- Mobile deposits: Deposit eligible checks through the MidFirst app.
- Bill Pay: Schedule one-time and recurring payments.
- Electronic statements: Receive account statements online.
- ATM access: Use MidFirst’s eligible ATM network.
A free checking account can reduce ongoing costs, but it doesn’t change MidFirst’s ChexSystems review.
Other MidFirst Accounts May Charge Monthly Fees
Some MidFirst accounts charge a monthly service fee unless you meet a deposit or balance requirement.
For example, the M Account charges $10 per month. MidFirst waives the fee when you receive at least $250 in recurring monthly direct deposits, maintain a $1,000 average daily balance, or hold at least $50,000 in eligible combined deposits. It also requires $100 to open.
Simply Interest Checking also charges $10 per month. You can avoid the fee with an average daily balance of at least $1,000. The account requires $100 to open online, and paper statements cost $4 per month for most customers.
Don’t choose an account based only on interest or added benefits. Make sure you can meet its fee-waiver requirement every month.
MidFirst Doesn’t Offer Clear Second Chance Checking
MidFirst Bank doesn’t currently advertise a checking account with separate second chance approval rules.
A low-fee account isn’t automatically a second chance account. MidFirst can still review ChexSystems before it approves Simply Checking or another standard account.
You may have a better chance when your ChexSystems consumer report contains an older paid record. Recent suspected fraud, unpaid bank debt, or several forced closures may make approval harder.
Contact a MidFirst banking center before you apply when your record contains serious negative information. Ask whether the bank considers the age and payment status of each entry.
Check Your ChexSystems Consumer Report Before Applying
Review your ChexSystems consumer report before MidFirst checks it.
Look for:
- Unknown accounts: An account you don’t recognize may be tied to identity theft.
- Incorrect balances: Confirm that every reported amount is accurate.
- Paid debts shown as unpaid: A resolved balance should have the correct status.
- Wrong closure reasons: Make sure the former financial institution reported what happened correctly.
- Incorrect dates: A mistake may make an older problem appear more recent.
Accurate negative information can generally remain for five years. Paying a valid balance usually won’t remove the entry early, but the financial institution should update its status.
Dispute information that’s inaccurate or incomplete. Include payment receipts, account statements, or identity theft records that support your claim.
Review MidFirst’s Overdraft Costs
MidFirst offers Overdraft Privilege on eligible checking accounts. This service allows the bank to pay certain transactions when your available balance is too low.
MidFirst charges $35 for each paid overdraft item and limits the charge to five items per processing day. The bank may also charge a one-time $25 extended overdraft fee when an account remains negative for at least seven consecutive calendar days.
A linked MidFirst deposit account can provide overdraft protection, but each daily transfer costs $12.50.
Ask MidFirst whether you can have everyday debit card transactions declined instead. Balance alerts can also warn you when your account falls below an amount you choose, though alerts won’t stop an overdraft by themselves.
What to Do if MidFirst Bank Denies You
Ask whether ChexSystems affected the decision. MidFirst should provide an adverse action notice when information from a consumer reporting company contributed to the denial.
Request your ChexSystems consumer report and inspect the entry that caused the problem. File a dispute when the information is wrong.
When the record is accurate, contact the bank or credit union that reported it. Ask how to pay any remaining balance and when the updated status will appear.
You may need a bank that doesn’t use ChexSystems or an account with stated second chance approval rules when MidFirst can’t approve you.
Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems
If MidFirst Bank isn’t an option for you, consider one of the following banks. They don’t rely on ChexSystems and make it easy to open a checking account even if you’ve had past banking challenges.
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.