Some banks review banking histories with systems like ChexSystems to check for a history of issues such as overdrafts, or Early Warning Services for warning indicators such as fraud and forgery.
If you don’t have a clean banking history, it can be difficult to find a bank that is willing to work with you and get your finances back on track. The following banks do not use ChexSystems, or they offer second-chance banking, making them a great option for your financial strategy and plan.
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BBVA is a member of the FDIC that doesn’t use ChexSystems but does use EWS to screen their applicants. This means that if you have a poor credit history or history of overdrafts, you may still be likely to qualify for an account.
What we like: BBVA accounts typically come with:
Location and use: BBVA has 649 branches spread across the Sun Belt in Texas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Colorado, and New Mexico. They do offer online and remote banking services in all states except for Alaska and Hawai’i.
Charges and cost: There is a $3 monthly Paper Statement Fee that can be avoided by switching to online statements. You must make a low $25 minimum opening deposit to your account.
Chime does not perform a credit check or use ChexSystems for applications, meaning that it is very likely and easy for applicants to qualify. Chime banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, and Chime is a member of the FDIC.
What we like: Chime bank offers:
Location and use: Chime is an online-only bank with access to ATMs for free at more than 38,000 locations. However, those experiencing issues with deposits may be required to go to a “green dot” location.
Charges and cost: There may be fees for out-of-network cash withdrawals.
Acorns Spend accounts are hosted by Lincoln Savings Bank, a member of the FDIC. The Acorn Spend accounts is an online checking account that offers the opportunity for simple investing.
What we like: The Acorns Spend account offers benefits and tiered levels of services with a few unique and helpful features:
Location and use: Acorns accounts are completely digital.
Charges and cost: There is a $3 monthly fee for the Acorns Spend checking account.
Having a negative banking history can make finding financial freedom a difficult process. However, taking control of your finances and making smart decisions with a personal budget to rebuild your banking history and your credit can get you started on the right track.
Navy Federal Credit Union has over 10 million members and is focused on serving military members, veterans, and their families. Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and does not use ChexSystems or EWS, so as long as you meet their military qualifications, you are likely to be eligible for their services.
What we like: Navy Federal Credit Union offers:
Location and use:There are 343 physical Navy Federal Credit Union branches worldwide with over 30,000 ATMs that members can access for free. To become a member of the Navy Federal Credit Union you must be one of the following:
Charges and cost: There is an overdraft fee of $29. However, if you link your savings account to your checking account and have enough funds in your savings to cover withdrawals, you can avoid the overdraft fee.
SunTrust Bank (now Truist) offers its Essential Checking Account that does not use ChexSystems though some of their offerings do use ChexSystems.
It is likely that someone with a poor banking history would qualify for the Essential Checking Account, and could pursue other accounts after regular use of their Essential Checking Account with no overdraws to their account. SunTrust is a member of the FDIC.
What we like: The SunTrust Essential Checking Account offers:
Location and use: You can use SunTrust’s online banking services anywhere at any time, but they only have physical branches in Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Charges and cost: There is a $7 monthly maintenance fee that can be waived if the user meets one of the following options:
U.S. Bank does use ChexSystems but offers its Easy Checking account that is available for those who may not typically qualify under ChexSystems. The Easy Checking account comes with standard debit card benefits and also acts as an ATM card.
What we like: With the Easy Checking account from U.S. Bank you can:
U.S. Bank offers no fees with the use of overdraft protection services that link your savings or secondary account to the Easy Checking account. There may be an overdraft protection transfer fee applied.
Location and use: U.S. bank is available to users nationwide.
Charges and cost: There is a $2 paper statement fee. The $2 statement fee can be waived if the account holder is 65 years or older. There is a $6.95 monthly maintenance fee, but the fee can be waived with one of the following:
First Convenience Bank is a division of First National Bank Texas and does not use ChexSystem and does not run a credit check when you open an account.
There are a few checking accounts available with First Convenience Bank; Power Checking, Checking With Interest, President Select High Yield Checking, eAccount, and Power Stash.
What we like: First Convenience Bank offers a diversity of accounts that are available to those that may have a poor banking history. The highlights of each account are as follows:
Location and use: First Convenience Bank operates in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico with over 300 branches and 400 ATMs.
Charges and cost: Costs range per account and enrollment in e-statements.
Renasant Bank does not use ChexSystem or EWS, making it a great option for those that may have a poor banking history.
Renasant Bank offers a few checking account options that are available with no use of ChexSystem: Rewards Extra Checking, Rewards Checking, Student Checking, and Renasant checking. Each account offers its unique rewards and/or standard operation.
What we like: The diversity of Renasant accounts provides users with choices for what type of account works best for their financial plan. General features of their checking accounts include:
Location and use: Renasant Bank services are available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Charges and cost: There is a $6 monthly maintenance fee for the Rewards Extra Checking account. The other accounts have a $10 monthly fee if you do not meet the daily account balance assigned to that account. There is a $50 minimum deposit to open any Renasant checking account.
Fort Sill National Bank (now referred to as FSNB) does not use ChexSystems and is available to both military and civilians.
What we like: The benefits of the FSNB basic checking account include:
Location and use: You do not need to be a member of the military to open an account and use the services of FSNB. FSNB branch locations are in the states of Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. If you are not in a state with a physical branch you can contact them at FSNB@FSNB.com and ask for an application.
Charges and cost: There is a $6 fee per statement if the balance of your account falls below $75. There is also a $3.50 fee for paper statements that can be avoided if you sign up for e-statements.
TCF Bank does use ChexSystems, but will still offer applicants who do not owe the bank money a checking account. TFC does also check EWS records and having an EWS record may disqualify you from their services. TCF bank is a member of the FDIC.
What we like: The benefits of a TFC Free Checking account include:
Location and use: TCF Bank offers its services in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Charges and cost: A TCF Free Checking account does require a $25 minimum deposit to open the account. The account also has a hefty $37 overdraft fee. There are no statement fees for online statements, but you will pay $3 for paper statements, and $4 for statements with check images.
