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Key takeaways:
- ChexSystems is a reporting agency that tracks consumers' deposit and debit history. If you have negative marks like bounced checks or unpaid fees, you may have difficulty opening an account.
- Some banks, such as Capital One, Wells Fargo and Bank of America, do not use ChexSystems for certain accounts.
- We've compiled a list of accounts below that don’t use ChexSystems and have low opening deposits. But some do have monthly fees that can’t be waived.
Past banking mistakes can make it challenging to open a new deposit account with some banks and credit unions. That’s because many financial institutions use ChexSystems, a service that tracks consumers’ banking habits, including previous issues. If you’ve overdrafted or neglected to pay fees on an old bank account, that info will likely be in your ChexSystems report, and you could be denied a new account.
Fortunately, not all banks rely on ChexSystems to screen prospective account holders, though it can be tricky to tell which ones do. Some make it more obvious by marketing their financial products as opportunity checking or second-chance checking accounts, but it’s harder to tell with others.
To simplify things for you, we've compiled a list of banks that don't use ChexSystems, which could be an option if you have past banking issues.
10 Bank Accounts That Don't Use ChexSystems
Some banks don’t use ChexSystems or might overlook a negative report for prospective customers opening certain accounts, which could make it easier to get a deposit account if you’ve had previous financial struggles. Note that some accounts may come with limited features, such as no overdraft protection options or check-writing privileges.
Here are 10 bank accounts that don't use ChexSystems.
| Bank | Minimum Opening Deposit | Monthly Fees |
|---|---|---|
|
None |
$4.95 with options to waive | |
|
None |
$0-$10 |
|
|
None |
$0 |
|
|
$25 |
$12 |
|
|
$25 |
$4.95 |
|
|
$25 |
$4.95 |
|
|
$25 |
$5 |
|
|
None |
$0 |
|
|
None |
$0 |
|
|
$5 |
Up to $6.50 |
Chase Secure Banking℠ Checking Account
- Our Rating 3/5 How our ratings work
- APYN/A
- Minimum
Deposit RequiredN/A -
Intro Bonus
$100Expires January 22, 2025
New Chase checking customers enjoy a $100 checking account bonus when you open a Chase Secure BankingSM account with qualifying transactions. Qualifying transactions include debit card purchases, Zelle®, ACH credits, Chase QuickDepositSM or online bill payments. Your bonus will appear in your account within 15 days after completing the qualifying transactions.
Chase Secure Banking℠ is best suited for people who have had spending issues in the past, or who are new to checking entirely. It does not offer overdraft protection, paper checks or wire transfers. While the $4.95 monthly fee cannot be waived, there is usually a sign-up bonus, which is a nice touch.
Overview
Chase Secure Banking℠ is an alternative-style checking account that aims to make it easier for certain customers to manage their money by stripping out features that could enable overspending, like overdraft protection and paper checks.
Pros
- No minimum opening balance
- Access Chase’s network of in-person branches and fee-free ATMs
- No fees for money orders or cashier’s checks
Cons
- Monthly service fee cannot be waived
- Does not offer overdraft protection, paper checks or wire transfers
- Non-Chase ATM fees
The Chase Secure Banking℠ account is designed to help people build or rebuild their banking relationship and manage their spending. Account features include credit monitoring, online bill pay tools and an option for early direct deposit. The account also comes with a form of overdraft protection—the bank will decline transactions that your account can’t cover to help you avoid overdrafts and stay on budget.
This account has a monthly fee, but it can be waived, and it also features a cash welcome offer for those who qualify. And if it ends up being a good fit for you, you’ll find many other banking products, like more robust checking accounts, savings accounts and much more through Chase.
- Minimum opening deposit: None
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: $4.95 with options to waive
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union
If you’re an eligible U.S. service member or veteran, an account with Navy Federal Credit Union may be an option. This credit union may view ChexSystems or do a soft credit pull when you apply for a checking or savings account, though it’s possible you’ll still be approved for an account as long as you don’t have past issues with Navy Federal specifically.
Navy Federal offers several checking accounts, including Free Active Duty Checking, Free Easy Checking, Free EveryDay Checking, Flagship Checking, and more. Many of its accounts offer perks like ATM fee rebates, no minimum balance requirements, and no monthly service fees.
- Minimum opening deposit: None
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: Varies by account
Recommended High-Yield Savings Accounts
| Bank Account | APY | Features | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4.85%
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and is accurate as of 11/15/2024. Rate is subject to certain terms and conditions. You must deposit at least $5,000 to open your account and maintain $25 to earn the disclosed APY. Rate and APY may change at any time. Fees may reduce earnings. |
$5,000 min. deposit |
Open Account |
|
|
Up to 4.86%
Earn up to 4.86% APY on savings, and 0.51% APY on checking when you meet requirements. |
No minimum deposit |
Open Account |
|
Member FDIC |
0.50% - 4.00%
SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. |
No minimum deposit |
Open Account |
|
|
4.55%
Earn 4.55% APY on balances over $5,000. Balances of less than $5,000 earn 0.25% APY. Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of November 13, 2024. Interest rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and subject to change at any time without notice. |
$100 minimum deposit |
Open Account |
Varo Bank Account
Varo Bank is an online-only bank that offers deposit accounts and credit-building tools for its customers. And if you’re concerned about a negative record in ChexSystems, its Varo Bank Account doesn’t require a credit check or ChexSystems screening. This account has perks like debit card access, an extensive ATM network, no minimum deposit requirements, no overdraft fees, and no monthly fees.
- Minimum opening deposit: None
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: None
OneUnited Bank U2 E-Checking Account
If you’ve had past issues with a checking or savings account, the OneUnited Bank U2 E-Checking account may be worth considering. This account offers perks like a large network of free ATMs, mobile check deposits, and an automatic savings feature that lets you round up your purchases to add to your account balance. But a $12 monthly maintenance fee applies.
- Minimum opening deposit: $25
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: $12
U.S. Bank Safe Debit Account
U.S. Bank offers its Safe Debit Account, which is an alternative to a traditional checking account for those who’ve struggled with banking issues in the past. Account holders get free credit score access, a debit card with zero liability fraud protection, and 24/7 customer support. A monthly maintenance fee of $4.95 applies and cannot be waived.
- Minimum opening deposit: $25
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: $4.95
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Bank of America SafeBalance Account
The Bank of America SafeBalance account could also be a decent choice if you’ve had past banking issues. This account is designed to help you manage your spending and comes with debit card access. Monthly service fees apply, though it’s possible to get those fees waived if you’re a student under 25, you’re under 18, or you enroll in Preferred Rewards.
- Minimum opening deposit: $25
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: $4.95, which can be waived for qualifying customers
Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking Account
Wells Fargo
If you have a negative record in ChexSystems, the Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking account may be another option. You’ll need to make a $25 initial deposit to open an account, but there’s no minimum balance requirement after that. Customers also get debit card access with 24/7 fraud protection on debit card purchases. A $5 monthly maintenance fee applies, though it’s possible to waive that fee if you’re under 25 or you link a qualifying student debit card to your account.
- Minimum opening deposit: $25
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: $5, which can be waived for qualifying customers
Capital One 360 Checking Account
Capital One
Capital One is another large bank offering an account for individuals with past banking issues—its 360 Checking Account. Account holders get access to a huge, free ATM network, debit cards, early direct deposit, and fraud protection. Unlike competing accounts at major banks, Capital One doesn’t have minimum deposit requirements or charge a monthly maintenance fee for its 360 Checking Account.
- Minimum opening deposit: None
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: None
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Chime Checking Account
Chime is a financial technology company offering deposit accounts, including the Chime Checking Account, which requires no ChexSystems or credit checks. Account holders get access to several perks, including no monthly fees, early direct deposit, no minimum initial deposit, no minimum balance fees, and no overdraft fees. Plus, you can use your debit card to take out money at over 60,000 fee-free ATMs as a Chime customer.
- Minimum opening deposit: None
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: None
FNSB Basic Checking Account
FNSB, formerly Fort Sill National Bank, is a midwestern U.S. bank offering deposit accounts for military members and civilians. One of those accounts, its Basic Checking Account, requires no credit check. So even if you have negative marks in your banking history, this account could be an option. It offers benefits like unlimited check writing, the ability to earn interest on balances over $500, and optional savings round-ups.
- Minimum opening deposit: $5
- Minimum balance requirement: None
- Monthly maintenance fees: Up to $6.50
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Why Do Banks Use ChexSystems?
ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency, which works similarly to credit reporting agencies, except it's commonly used in the banking industry. While a prospective lender may review your credit reports before approving you for a loan, a bank or credit union may view your ChexSystems reports before approving you for a new checking or savings account. Financial institutions do this to help protect themselves from possible risks.
If you have a ChexSystems report, it could include information like:
- Excessive overdraft fees
- Involuntary account closures
- Bounced checks
- Unpaid monthly maintenance fees
- Recent account openings and closures
If your banking history includes any of the above, it’s possible a bank may deem you a high-risk customer and deny you a new account. In addition to a ChexSystems report, you may also have a ChexSystems score ranging from 100-899. A high score means you are a lower risk, while a lower score indicates a higher risk.
The Bottom Line
If you have past banking problems on your ChexSystems report, some banks might not let you open a new savings or checking account. But fortunately, this isn’t always the case. Some traditional banks, online banks, and credit unions don’t use ChexSystems to screen new customers for certain accounts. Opting for one of these accounts can make it easier to get approved and improve your banking habits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
-
ChexSystems is similar to a credit reporting agency for the banking industry. It creates reports about account holders’ banking background and issues, including involuntary account closures, unpaid fees, or excessive overdrafts, and these reports are designed to inform financial institutions about a new applicant’s potential risks and negative banking history.
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While you probably can’t remove yourself from ChexSystems entirely, you can eliminate certain negative items, such as unpaid fees, from your ChexSystems report by settling the payments and requesting the bank or collections agency remove that information. You can also provide proof to ChexSystems that the debt has been resolved on your own. Items typically stay on your ChexSystems report for five years.
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Some major banks that don’t use or rely solely on ChexSystems when approving new deposit accounts include Bank of America, Capital One, Wells Fargo, and U.S. Bank. Other options include Navy Federal Credit Union, Varo Bank, and OneUnited Bank.
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Yes, it’s possible to get a checking account even if you’re on ChexSystems, though it might be more difficult. You may need to find non-ChexSystems banks, or opt for a second-chance or opportunity checking account or a prepaid debit card.
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Yes, you can request a free consumer disclosure report from ChexSystems once a year if you’re older than 18. This information could help you understand what’s included in your banking history report and provide insight into why you may have been denied a bank account.
Jessica Ullrich
Jess is a freelance personal finance writer. She's been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Before venturing into freelance writing, Jess was on the editorial teams at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz. She's created content across several verticals, including budgeting, credit, debt, insurance, investing, loans, and side hustles. In her spare time, you can find Jess reading about money, working in her garden, or spending time with family.
