15 Best Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems (July 2021 Reviews)

If you’ve made financial mistakes with your bank account in the earlier days, such as overdrafts or an unpaid negative balance, and have an unfavorable ChexSystems report. As a result, finding a new bank willing to work with you can be difficult.

Luckily, there are some excellent banks to join that do not use ChexSystems to check your banking history.

Our Best Non-ChexSystems Banks

Here are 15 of the best non-ChexSystems banks to consider if you need a checking account to get back on track.

1-BBVA

BBVA is our top non-ChexSystem bank recommendation. BBVA’s online checking account receives high marks. Through BBVA’s Simple Cash Back program, they provide a cashback rewards program for debit card purchases.

There is no monthly service fee, and you are not required to maintain a minimum balance to keep your account in good standing. You must, however, keep a close eye on your balance. If your account is overdrawn, you will be charged a $38 overdraft fee.

Please read the rest of our BBVA Compass Bank review. If you’re thinking about joining or have already joined, look at our BBVA Compass Bank: 11 Quick Answers for more information on frequently asked questions.

Pros:

• There are no monthly service fees.
• You are not required to maintain a minimum balance.
• Free bill pay, mobile deposits, a Visa debit card, and limitless check writing are all available.
• Cashback incentive program

Cons:

• The $38 overdraft fee is exorbitant.

2-Chime

Chime is an online-only bank that is perfect for people who prefer to bank using their smartphones. A credit check is not required to open a bank account, and Chime does not use ChexSystems.

The app has no monthly maintenance fees, account holders can use ATMs for free at over 38,000 locations, and opening a bank account is free.

Chime has a program that expedites direct deposits, making them available approximately two days earlier. Once you’ve set up direct deposit into your checking account, you’ll be able to receive your payment up to two days early, as soon as your company deposits it.

Pros:

• It is free to open a checking account.
• Over 38,000 ATMs are available for free use.
• There is no required minimum deposit to open a checking account.
• You will have early access to your direct deposits.
• Debit card for free

Cons:

• It cannot be easy to deposit cash because you can only do so at Green Dot locations.

3-SoFi

SoFi is our third-highest-recommended bank that does not use ChexSystems. SoFi is yet another online bank that offers a checking account without ChexSystems. While there are no physical branch locations, checking account holders have free access to a nationwide network of over 55,000 ATMs.

SoFi’s checking account, like many other online banks, has no fees. If your account is overdrawn, SoFi cancels the payment without charging you. You can earn a 0.20 % percentage yield by depositing $500 or more into your bank account every month (variable and subject to change), and even if you don’t meet that requirement, you can still earn 0.01 %.

Physical checks are one-way SoFi differs from its online banking competitors. If you want physical checks, SoFi will provide them for free.

Pros:

• Over 55,000 ATMs are available for free use across the country.
• A checking account is completely free.
• There are no overdraft fees.
• You can earn interest on your account.
• Debit card for free

Cons:

• It is tough to deposit cash into your account.

4-Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in the US, with over 8 million members, and is ranked #4 on our list of banks that do not utilize ChexSystems.

It would help if you were an active-duty or reserve military member, a military veteran, a Department of Defense employee or specialist, or a family member of someone who meets the membership qualifications to join the Navy Federal Credit Union.

Members enjoy free checking and don’t have to pay any monthly fees; however, there is a $29 overdraft fee. If you link your Navy Federal savings account to your checking account and have enough funds in savings to cover any withdrawals, there are no overdraft fees.

Currently, Navy Federal offers five different checking accounts. Each differs somewhat, implying that the credit union has an account for almost every need. Except for Flagship checking, which offers between 0.35 percent and 0.45 percent APY, other checking accounts currently pay a 0.05 percent annual portion yield (APY).

Navy Federal has around 350 physical branch locations, and members have free access to over 30,000 ATMs.

Pros:

• The country’s largest union represents military members.
• There are no monthly fees with this checking account.
• Overdrafts are $29, but they can be free if you have a savings account.
• It has roughly 350 branch locations and around 30,000 ATMs without paying a charge.
• Debit card for free

Cons:

• Because of the minimal number of branches, doing your banking in person can be challenging.
• Because of the stringent membership standards, not everyone is eligible.

5-First American Bank

The first American bank is a standard bank with locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida, and it is our #5 non-ChexSystems bank. Additionally, it offers online banking to customers in all 50 states.

A $50 deposit is required to start the Fresh Start checking account, and account holders must pay a $9.95 monthly fee. There is no minimum balance requirement, digital statements are free, and account holders can write checks without restriction.

Pros:

• Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida have physical locations
• Banking over the internet
• There is no requirement for a minimum balance.
• Debit card for free

Cons:

• If you want to bank in person, there are only a few physical facilities.
• Monthly fee of $9.95

6-SunTrust Bank

SunTrust Bank offers a basic checking account that doesn’t use ChexSystems, making it ideal for people with a bad credit history. It’s our #6 bank that doesn’t use ChexSystems.

A $100 minimum deposit is required and a $7 monthly maintenance service fee.

Maintaining a daily accumulated balance of $500 or more, having direct deposits totaling at least $500 per month, or initiating a minimum of 10 transactions every month are options for removing the monthly maintenance fee. If you open your account as a college student, the monthly cost is also waived.

Pros:

• Their fundamental checking account is ideal for folks with a bad credit history.
• Branches and ATMs are widely available, especially in the southeast.
• Possibility of getting fees waived

Cons:

• A $100 deposit is required and a $7 monthly maintenance cost to get started.
• It is not taxable to interest.

7-People Cash Solution

Peoples Cash Solutions offers free internet banking and completely free paper checks with its Second Chance Checking Accounts. To open a checking account, a minimum deposit of $30 is required and a monthly charge of $4.95.

On the other hand, Peoples Cash Solutions does not have a mobile app. You can, however, view your account online and make payments without incurring any fees.

Pros:

• Debit card with Mastercard for free
• Monthly paper statements are provided for free.
• Paper checks are available for free.

Cons:

• The monthly fee is $4.95
• There is no mobile app available.

8-Renasant Bank

Renasant Bank does not employ ChexSystems, EWS, or Telecheck, so it’s worth looking into if you’re worried about your bad credit preventing you from getting a checking account.

In the states where they are being established, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee have over 180 full-service community branches. Renasant provides online banking as well as online bill pay. In addition to unlimited check writing, account holders receive a Mastercard debit card linked to their account.

You must deposit at least $50 to start an account. Unless you sign up for eStatements or maintain a daily balance of at least $500, there is an 8$ monthly maintenance fee.

Pros:

• There are around 180 branches, most of which are in the southeast.
• Debit card with Mastercard for free
• Bill payment and online banking
• When you meet certain criteria, you can get a loan with a high-interest rate.

Cons:

• If you don’t meet certain conditions, you’ll be charged an 8$ monthly maintenance cost.

9-TD Bank

TD Bank offers several different checking accounts. Its Simple Checking Account, on the other hand, is most likely the ideal option for people looking to rehabilitate their credit after making financial blunders. There is no minimum deposit for the Simple Checking Account, and online statements are completely free.

Members of TD banks have access to roughly 1,300 branches and 1,900 ATMs, primarily on the east coast. Account-holders are then charged a $5.99 monthly service fee. However, there is no minimum balance requirement to retain an account in good standing.

Account users also get a 0.25 % on personal and home equity loans.

Pros:

• The Simple Checking Account is ideal for folks attempting to rehabilitate their credit.
• Along the east coast, there is a large network of banks.
• There is no minimum deposit.
• There is no requirement for a minimum balance.

Cons:

• Monthly charge of $5.99

10-First Convenience Bank

First National Bank Texas has a division called First Convenience Bank. First Convenience Bank’s five bank account offerings, including the Power Checking account, Checking account with Interest, President Select High Yield Checking account, account, and Power Stash, do not use ChexSystems.

According to the company, the Power Checking Account is First Convenience’s most well-known product. To start an account online, account holders must deposit $20. However, if you open an account in person at a branch, there is no minimum deposit requirement.

The Power Checking account has a usual monthly maintenance fee of $12. It is, though, waived for account users 55 and up. If you maintain a minimum daily balance of $100, use your debit card at least eight times per month, or set up a minimum of $100 in recurring monthly direct transfers, the bank will forgo the maintenance fee.

Pros:

• There are five types of bank accounts available.
• Account-holders 55 and older have their monthly maintenance charge waived.

Cons:

• Maintenance is $12 per month.

11-TCF Bank

TCF Bank has most branches in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, largely in the upper Midwest. There are further locations in Arizona and Colorado. TCF bank is not a ChexSystems bank, and none of its four bank account alternatives – TCF free checking, TCF premier checking, TCF base account, and TCF teen checking – use ChexSystems.

Pros:

• Their no-fee checking account costs only $25 to create and has no monthly fees.

Cons:

• Has high costs, such as a $37 overdraft fee.

12-Fort Sill National Bank

Fort Sill National Bank offers no credit checks, second chance checking, and savings accounts (FSNB). They do not use ChexSystems to verify your financial history.

Pros:

• Debit card for free
• For about $5, you can start a checking account.

Cons:

• You are charged a $6 monthly fee unless your balance remains above $75.

13-Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union

Southwest Financial Federal Credit Operations began to help Kroger employees, and it now offers bank accounts that do not rely on ChexSystems to verify banking history. Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union has given membership to other select employee groups for many years. However, because most banks and credit unions do not publish a list of which groups are eligible to use their services, you may have to inquire with your employer to see if membership is available.

Pros:

• Has a smartphone app that lets you deposit checks with your phone.
• Visa debit card
• There is no charge monthly.

Cons:

• Only employees of qualifying companies are eligible to participate.

14-US Bank

Customers who can meet US Bank’s reasonable fee waiver standards should consider it, but many people will wish to create a new bank account elsewhere if they have the opportunity. Although it offers some attractive choices for students and seniors, US Bank’s costs for overdrafts and wire transfers are on the high side, and its rates of return are no better than those offered by cheaper banks’ savings accounts.

Pros:

• There are almost 3,000 branches.
• Debit card for free

Cons:

• You are charged an $8.95 monthly fee provided you meet particular balance requirements.
• Exorbitant overdraft fees

15-United Bank

United Bank has offices throughout the South, including West Virginia, where it was being established almost a century ago. Today, the bank offers a broad range of personal banking products, wealth management services, and small business services.

Pros:

• To start a free checking account, there is no minimum balance requirement.
• Debit card for free

Cons:

• There is a limited service area.