Past banking problems can make a new account harder to open. An unpaid balance or old account closure may continue to affect your choices long after the original issue occurred.
Texas Trust Credit Union offers several personal checking accounts to eligible members in North Texas. Its application process can provide another option for people whose ChexSystems history has caused trouble at other financial institutions.
Texas Trust Credit Union Doesn’t Use ChexSystems
Texas Trust Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems when it reviews checking account applications. A negative ChexSystems consumer report shouldn’t prevent you from qualifying by itself.
That may help if another bank denied you because of an old overdraft, unpaid account fee, or forced account closure. You don’t have to wait for an accurate ChexSystems entry to disappear before you apply.
Approval still isn’t automatic. Texas Trust must confirm your identity and make sure you qualify for credit union membership. It may also reject an application because of suspected fraud, incorrect personal information, or money owed from a previous Texas Trust account.
Who Can Join Texas Trust Credit Union?
Texas Trust is a credit union, so you must meet its membership rules before you can open a checking account.
The credit union serves eligible communities across North Texas. Its service area includes parts of Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Johnson, Tarrant, and Tom Green counties. Texas Trust also has branches in cities such as Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Mansfield, and San Angelo.
You may also qualify through an eligible family member or another approved membership connection.
New members must open a share savings account with at least $5. That deposit establishes your membership and represents your ownership share in the credit union.
Texas Trust asks online applicants for a government-issued ID, Social Security number, current address, date of birth, and email address. A joint applicant must provide the same information.
Easy Checking Is the Basic Account Option
Easy Checking is Texas Trust’s standard account for everyday spending. It has no monthly service charge when qualifying deposits total at least $250 during each statement period.
The monthly charge is $4.95 when you don’t meet that deposit requirement.
Easy Checking includes:
- Debit card access: Use a Mastercard debit card for purchases and ATM withdrawals.
- Digital banking: Check balances, transfer money, and manage your account online or through the mobile app.
- Electronic statements: Receive monthly account statements online.
- Mobile deposits: Deposit eligible checks through the Texas Trust mobile app.
- Free ATM access: Use Texas Trust and Allpoint ATMs without a surcharge from the credit union.
- Card controls: Turn your debit card on or off and manage certain transaction settings.
The account may be affordable if you receive regular deposits. However, an account with a low monthly fee isn’t the same as a second chance checking account.
Does Texas Trust Offer Second Chance Checking?
Texas Trust doesn’t currently advertise a personal checking account with specific second chance approval rules.
Its standard checking options may still be accessible because the credit union doesn’t use ChexSystems. However, Texas Trust can apply its other identity, membership, and account-opening requirements.
Easy Checking may be the best place to start when you want a simple account. The $250 monthly deposit requirement is easier to meet than the higher balance rules attached to some premium checking accounts.
Texas Trust also offers Bonus Checking for $9.95 per month. It includes identity theft protection, credit monitoring, cell phone protection, and four waived overdraft privilege fees each year. The monthly charge can’t be waived.
Those added benefits may not justify the cost if your main goal is basic checking.
Watch the Overdraft Fees
Texas Trust’s current fee schedule lists a $30 overdraft privilege fee and a $30 nonsufficient funds or returned item fee. Transfers from another Texas Trust account or credit line for overdraft protection cost $5.
The credit union may provide an overdraft privilege limit after an account has been open for 30 days. Its standard limit is $500, although members with at least $500 in monthly direct deposits may receive a higher limit.
Overdraft privilege isn’t free money. Every approved transaction can result in a fee, and the amount used must be repaid.
Ask Texas Trust to explain your overdraft settings before you open the account. You may prefer to have debit card purchases declined when your balance is too low.
Low-balance alerts can also help you avoid fees. Texas Trust lets members create account alerts through digital banking.
Check Your ChexSystems Consumer Report Anyway
Texas Trust doesn’t use ChexSystems, but you should still review your ChexSystems consumer report.
Another bank or credit union may check it in the future. An error could reduce your choices even after Texas Trust approves you.
Review the consumer report for unknown accounts, incorrect balances, wrong closure dates, and paid debts that still appear as unpaid.
Accurate negative records can generally remain for five years. Paying a valid balance usually won’t remove the entry early, but the status should show that the debt has been paid.
Dispute information that’s inaccurate or incomplete. Include payment receipts, account statements, or identity theft documents that support your claim.
What Could Cause an Application Denial?
Since Texas Trust doesn’t use ChexSystems, a denial may come from another part of the application.
Possible causes include:
- Membership eligibility: You must qualify through an approved location, family connection, or other membership path.
- Identity verification: Texas Trust may need more documents to confirm your information.
- Application errors: A wrong address or Social Security number can stop the review.
- Fraud concerns: Conflicting information may lead to additional checks or a denial.
- Previous Texas Trust debt: Money owed from an older account may need to be paid first.
- Missing documents: The credit union may request proof of identity or address.
Ask Texas Trust for the specific reason if it denies your application. Correct any errors before you apply again.
Alternatives to Texas Trust Credit Union That Don’t Use ChexSystems
If you’d like to explore other non-ChexSystems options, the following banks also make it easy to open an account and manage your money:
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.