18 Best Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems

If your past financial sins have come back to haunt you and you’ve been blacklisted by ChexSystems, you may have been denied the ability to create a bank account. As not all banks employ this consumer reporting organization, you still have alternatives.

Some banks disregard a poor credit history and provide customers with a second opportunity to retain a checking account. Bad credit checking accounts often come with fees, but they’re a great way to get back in the game if you’ve had financial difficulties in the past. There are banks that do not do credit checks; you simply have to know where to get the best second-chance bank accounts.

Top Financial banks That Do Not Use ChexSystems

GOBankingRates compiled a list of banks that allow account opening without a credit check. Learn more about non-ChexSystems banks and how they operate.

1. TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade does not employ ChexSystems to screen applicants, although account opening requires a light credit inquiry. Because it is a brokerage, however, you must first create and fund a brokerage account before applying for a cash management account. Yes, you may be able to create a TD Ameritrade account online with no minimum deposit and poor credit.

Here are some of this account’s benefits:

• There are no monthly maintenance expenses
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None

2. Axiom Bank

Everyone has the right to a second opportunity. This is why Axiom is on the list of banks that do not do credit checks. The bank provides second-chance banking and may ignore your record in order to open you a checking account. This neighborhood bank in central Florida provides the Opportunity Checking account to customers with a history of financial missteps.

The following are aspects of the account:

• Monthly costs are $12.95
• Minimum deposit: $25
• Minimum balance: None

3. Bank of Woodforest

Regional financial institution Woodforest National Bank provides its Second Chance Checking account to customers with a history of banking issues. Here are the particulars:

• Monthly fees: $9.95 with direct deposit, $11.95 without; $3 for paper statements or free e-statements; $3 for paper statements or no charge for e-statements
• Minimum deposit: $25
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: There is a $9 startup charge, and the account must be opened in person at a branch.

4. GTE Financial

If your application for a Go Premium or Go Full Access checking account is denied by GTE Financial, the bank will contact you with information regarding its Go Further account, which has a simple approval process. The account features bill pay, Zelle and Friends & Family transfers, unrestricted check writing, and fee-free access to 30,000 ATMs. Here are further details concerning the Go Further account:

The $9.95 monthly maintenance charge is waived if certain deposit, debit/credit transactions, and e-statement conditions are met.

• Minimum deposit: $5
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: Upgrade your account automatically after one year if you match the requirements.

5. Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union

Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union in Texas provides the Checkless Checking account, which may be an alternative if you have had difficulty opening a bank account. The following are included in the account:

• There are no monthly service fees
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None

6. Green Dot

Green Dot is an alternative to a checking account for individuals with poor credit. The reloadable, prepaid debit card issued by Green Dot does not utilize ChexSystems, and no credit check is necessary.

Prepaid debit card information includes:

• Monthly fees: $7.95 unless you’ve loaded $1,000 or more onto the card in the preceding month.
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None

7. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo provides the Clear Access Banking account to customers that desire a simple bank account and are seeking a second chance bank account. Clear Access Financial is designed for those who have had difficulty obtaining other bank accounts due to a poor banking history or credit score. This account does not offer checks, but the Wells Fargo Mobile app, digital payments, and contactless debit cards are accessible. Additional characteristics include:

• The monthly service price of $5 is waived for those ages 13 to 24.
• Minimum opening deposit: $25
• Minimum balance: None

8. Capital One

If you’re concerned about what Capital One will find when it runs a ChexSystems report, you’ll be relieved to learn that the bank instead does a soft draw on your credit and considers other risk indicators before accepting you. If you have an excellent credit score or at least some credit history, you’re probably great. Here’s what’s included with your account:

• No monthly fees:
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None

• Additional information you need to know: No monthly fees and the opportunity to earn 0.10 percent yearly income on your balance.

9. PNC

PNC provides the Foundation Checking account to customers who have previously had difficulty qualifying for a standard checking account. The bank urges you to apply for one of its Virtual Wallet accounts prior to opening an account. Contact the bank directly or visit one of its locations to determine your eligibility for the Foundation Checking account if you do not qualify.

• Monthly maintenance fee: $5
• Minimum deposit: $25 minimum starting deposit
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: Overdraft and returned item fees are waived; PNC Pay is accessible for digital payments.

10. Chime

Chime is an online-only service that provides The Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank’s services. It offers customers a reliable mobile application and a debit card for withdrawals and transactions. Chime does not conduct credit checks or ChexSystems reports, which is excellent news for customers who are concerned about their credit.

• No monthly costs
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: With Chime direct deposit, you may get paid up to two days early.

11. Varo Bank

Varo Bank is a fee-free online bank that is eager to deal with customers with poor credit. The bank does not examine your ChexSystems or credit record to establish your creditworthiness, which means you are free to open a checking account. Here are the particulars:

• No monthly fees:
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: Direct deposit your salary and be paid up to two days early.

Worth Knowing

Some individuals may mistake the information that ChexSystems gathers with the information that appears on your credit report or FICO ratings. ChexSystems compiles a file on your banking history. The two are connected indirectly. You may have a negative ChexSystems file and a high FICO score, yet it’s more frequent for folks to have a low credit score and bad marks on their ChexSystems file.

12. San Diego Credit Union

Even if you have a history of bounced checks or poor credit, you may still be eligible to create an account with SDCCU. To qualify, you must reside or work in San Diego, Riverside, or Orange County. Here is some information regarding the Classic Checking account at SDCCU:

• Monthly fees of $5 are avoided if a minimum balance or direct deposits are maintained in the account.
• Minimum deposit: $25
• No minimum amount is required unless you want to avoid a monthly charge.
• The additional information you need to know: With an average daily balance of $1,500 or more, dividends are paid.

13. Credit Union Number One

Credit Union One, headquartered in Michigan, allows you to create a bank account without a credit check. The Basic Checking account is intended to assist customers in regaining their footing. Here is what you should know:

• Monthly costs are $15 or $10 if direct transfers are received.
• Minimum deposit: $25
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: Included Platinum debit card; one point for every $3 spent is redeemable for travel, cash, gift cards, and items.

14. Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal has not utilized ChexSystems to accept or refuse to check accounts for years, according to a spokeswoman for the credit union. Navy Federal is only a possibility if you meet the membership requirements. Membership is available to veterans, active or former military people, Department of Defense employees, and family members of individuals who are eligible to join. Depending on your balance or student status, you will have up to five checking account options to pick from.

• No monthly fees save a $10 cost for Flagship Checking, which is waived with an average daily balance of $1,500 or greater.
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: Variable dividends are given based on the account type; NFCU debit card includes

15. SoFi

The SoFi Checking and Savings cash management account is an effective means of avoiding detection by ChexSystems. You’ll even earn 1.25 percent APY on balances if you have a direct deposit. Despite the fact that SoFi is not a bank, you may be certain that your funds will be FDIC-insured when they reach SoFi’s partner banks.

Expect the following from this online-only option:

• No monthly fees:
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: at over 55,000 Allpoint cash machines, there are no ATM fees.

16. US Bank

The Safe Debit account from US Bank is a check-free account option. The bank does not use ChexSystems to accept or refuse Safe Debit accounts, according to a bank spokeswoman. You may not have as many features as you would with a traditional checking account, but you may still pay bills and complete other cash-management duties. In addition, you will be able to monitor your progress due to free access to your credit score for Safe Debit account holders.

• Monthly costs are $4.95
• Minimum deposit: $25
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: Visa debit card included; no overdraft fees

17. Renasant Bank

Renasant Bank has around 200 facilities throughout Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida to service the South. You do not need to be concerned about past mistakes with Renasant, as the bank does not use ChexSystems prior to account approval. You can pick between three checking accounts and one student checking account.

• Monthly fees range from $6 to $10; the $10 cost is waived if you fulfill certain balance or transaction requirements.
• Minimum deposit: $50
• Minimum balance: None
• The additional information you need to know: All accounts, save the basic Renasant Checking account, offer interest on balances and reimbursements for ATM fees.

18. Go2Bank

Go2Bank is the second generation of banking offered by Green Dot to those who wish to circumvent credit checks and ChexSystems. It was once known as GoBank, but improvements to the mobile-only platform necessitated rebranding. Go2Bank makes banking low and simple, giving those who have problems opening an account an opportunity.

• $5 per month is waived with direct deposit.
• Minimum deposit: None
• Minimum balance: None
• Additional information: Receive paid up to two days early; earn up to 7 percent cash back when purchasing electronic gift cards from eligible shops.

What Is the ChexSystems System?

ChexSystems is a reporting firm that collects information on individuals’ checking, and savings account activities from banks and credit unions. This information is used by the corporation to develop screening tools, such as consumer reports, for use by financial institutions to evaluate new customers.

The service assists banks and credit unions in identifying potentially dangerous applicants by releasing reports that outline prior financial concerns, such as overdrawn and canceled accounts and unpaid debt. Once you have been detected by ChexSystems, it may be challenging to get a bank account.