When you’re looking for a new bank to open an account with, it’s important to do your research. While there are many advantages and disadvantages to online banking, not all banks are created equal. Some banks may be better than others, depending on your needs. You probably have never considered the best non-chexsystems banks near me as an option.
Some banks and credit unions will run a credit check on you before they let you open an account, no matter what kind of account you want to open; checking vs. savings account. These financial institutions use Chexsystems to see if you have a history of mishandling previous bank accounts.
If your Chexsystems report shows negative activity, the bank will decline your application. There is no immediate way to get around hard hits on your record that were caused by identity theft or simple mistakes.
However, you do have other choices. Many banks do offer no credit check bank accounts. Some of the best non-Chexsystems banks include Chime, Truist, TCF Bank, GoBank, and USAA Bank, to name a few. Fortunately, there are multiple banks out there that don’t utilize Chexsystems at all. They’re commonly known as no Chexsystems banks and no credit check banks.
Best Banks That Don’t Use Chexsystems Near Me
Using non-checksystems banks near me has been not only convenient, but also a good choice when I am looking for bankign needs close to home. If you’re looking for a bank that doesn’t use ChexSystems, here are 10+ best options near you.
Truist (Formerly BB&T and SunTrust)
Truist no longer uses ChexSystems for its checking accounts. However, if you do have a negative record in Chexsystems or elsewhere, you may be subject to additional review and possible account limitations.
Truist has a policy that does not allow anyone who owes money to the bank to open an account. If someone who is not on your joint account owes money to Truist, you will be unable to open an account unless the other person closes the delinquent account first.
Does Truist have a minimum balance?
No minimum balance is required. Truist Fundamental Checking has a very low monthly maintenance fee and a modest opening deposit (subject to change).
Pros of Truist Bank Account:
- No Chexsystems
- Low opening deposit
- No minimum balance
Cons of Truist Bank Account:
- If you owe money to Truist, they will not let you open an account unless the other party closes their delinquent account first.
TCF Bank
TCF Bank operates similar to Truist. While they no longer uses ChexSystems for checking account applicants, they do check your history. They also don’t allow anyone who owes TCF money to open an account, no matter the other party’s standing with the bank.
Before being converted to Huntington Bank, TCF had over 500 locations. They now have more than 1,700 ATMs and 1,100+ bank locations.
Pros of TCF Bank Account:
- No Chexsystems
- No minimum balance
- Starter checks available
- Easy account terms with their Asterisk-Free Checking
Cons of TCF Bank Account:
- only available in select states
GoBank
GoBank is a bank account designed for people with no credit history or derogatory marks on their Chexsystems report. They don’t require a minimum amount of money to open an account and no overdraft fees, but there is no physical bank locations. You can deposit cash into your GoBank savings account or checking account at over 100,000 retail locations. Some of those retail locations include:
• Walmart and Sam’s Club
• 7 Eleven and Circle K
• CVS Pharmacy, Family Dollar, and Rite Aid
Pros of GoBank Bank Account:
- No Chexsystems required
- Cash management account tools
- No credit check
- No overdraft fees
Cons of GoBank Bank Account:
- Has a monthly fee but it can be waived with a monthly direct deposit minimum. Check out bank direct deposit times for specifics.
USAA Federal Savings Bank
While USAA Federal Savings Bank no longer uses Chexsystems, they have high requirements for new account holders. You are ineligible to apply for a USAA checking account unless you are currently serving, retired from, or are the spouse of someone who is currently serving in the United States Military.
You might be eligible if you have no credit history by proving no previous bankruptcies or no active liens on your home. There might still be an alternative way to get a checking account at USAA. Check with one of their bank associates to find out for sure!
Pros of USAA Bank Account:
- No ChexSystems required
- No minimum deposit amount
Cons of USAA Bank Account:
- Requires proof that you are currently serving in the U.S. military.
- May not accept people without any credit history or bankruptcy/lien-free personal information can’t apply unless they prove no previous bankruptcies and no active liens on their home.
SoFi
SoFi no longer uses Chexsystems. While there’s no minimum balance required to open an account, having no previous derogatory marks on your credit history makes it easier to get approved for SoFi than someone with no credit score or bankruptcy history.
Does SoFi money have a minimum balance?
SoFi Money combines checking and savings features with no monthly or overdraft fees and no minimum balance requirement (for now).
Pros of SoFi Bank Account:
- No ChexSystems required
- No deposit to open an account
- No minimum balance required
Cons of SoFi Bank Account:
- Requires no derogatory marks on your credit report. If you have any, expect a decline without first repairing them.
Chime Bank
Chime no longer uses ChexSystems for checking account applicants, no matter what you read from other websites. They are a good option for free online banking through a non-chexsystems bank near me. This is an option for online and mobile banking. Chime has over 60,000 ATMs with no ATM fees. Additionally, this financial institution is FDIC insured.
Chime Checking Account is a winner with no hidden bank costs, no credit check to open the account, and no minimum balance requirement.
Chime’s customer base is rapidly growing, and it is regarded as one of the top banking services in the US.
Pros of Chime Bank Account:
- No ChexSystems required
- No minimum deposit amount, no monthly fee
Cons of Chime Bank Account:
- Requires no derogatory marks on your credit report. If you have any, expect a decline without first repairing them. Only available online in select states (other than Massachusetts). A good choice for online-only banks.
Capital One 360
While no longer using Chexsystems, Capital One 360 still does a soft credit check. This is an option for those looking to avoid applying with ChexSystems altogether. If you are looking for online banking and no monthly fees on a basic checking account, Capital One 360 is a good option.
Pros of Capital One 360 Bank Account:
- No Chexsystems required
- No minimum balance required on select bank accounts
Cons of Capital One 360 Bank Account:
- A soft credit check is done when applying, no matter what. If your credit score isn’t high enough to get approved, expect a decline without repairing it first.
Bank of America
There are multiple banks that don’t use Chexsystems. Bank of America is not only one of those banks but also has great terms on checking accounts, savings accounts, and more.
As of 2021, Bank of America is one of the top four largest banks with more than 17,000 ATMs and over 4,300 branches. Whether you need a cashier’s check vs. certified check, BofA can provide both services to you.
If you need no Chexsystems checking or no minimum balance requirements, give them a look!
Pros of Bank of America Bank Account:
- No ChexSystems required
- Unlimited check writing (see terms)
- No minimum deposit amount needed to open an account
Cons of Bank of America Bank Account:
- Soft credit check is done when applying, no matter what. If your credit score isn’t high enough to get approved, expect a decline without repairing it first. Will decline applicants with no previous derogatory marks on credit history.
- Be prepared for a decline if your credit score has been low in the past six months, no matter how good it is now.
Navy Federal Credit Union
While only available for military personnel, Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) is an option for no Chexsystems checking accounts no matter where you live. There are no membership fees, no matter your age, occupation, or state of residence.
Navy Federal Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions with over 6 million members.
Pros of Navy Federal Credit Union Bank Account:
- No ChexSystems required no matter where you live, no minimum deposit amount to open an account.
- A great option for buying a house while in the military.
Cons of Navy Federal Credit Union Bank Account:
- Applicants must be active military personnel in order to qualify. Anyone else will receive a decline if applying.
Wells Fargo
If you are looking for a convenience bank, Wells Fargo may be your best bet, no matter what. This bank has no ChexSystems requirement no matter the state you reside in or if you work there.
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks with over $1 trillion in assets and more than 8,700 branches across the country.
Pros of Wells Fargo Checking Account:
- No ChexSystems required
- Accept third-party checks
- No overdraft charges
Cons of Wells Fargo Checking Account:
- A Chexsystems record will cause an automatic decline even if it’s clear. You’ll need to request a manual review before being approved.
What Does Chexsystems Do?
Many banks use Chexsystems to help them make decisions about opening and maintaining their bank accounts. Chexsystems has been around since the early 1970s and works by reporting account history information to participating banks. If you have a negative Chexsystems record, it will impact your ability to open new accounts. There are several ways how to repair your credit yourself if you need to make a correction.
When you apply for a new account at a financial institution, the institution will check your banking history by requesting a copy of your report from Chexsystems.
Your Chexsystem report includes information such as:
- Any outstanding negative balances (money that you owe in overdraft or non-sufficient funds situations).
- Any outstanding checks (bounced check fees).
- Unresolved problems with previous banks, credit unions, or other depository financial institutions.
- Bankruptcy filings You can find out when these events were listed on your report so you can correct them, if possible.
If your report shows unresolved issues, you may be denied a new checking account.
How to Get Your Chexsystems Report
If your bank or credit union tells you that they use ChexSystems and that you have a negative balance on file with them, contact ChexSystems to find out where they got this information so you can correct any errors on the report.
You will need to provide some personal information such as:
- Your full name
- Your Social Security number
- The address on the report
- Your date of birth
You can also order yourself a free copy of your report from a nationwide consumer reporting agency online using AnnualCreditReport.com.
How Do I Know if Chexsystems is Checked?
You may not know exactly when someone checks your ChexSystems report because they are not required to tell you. This means there’s no way to be 100% certain who will check your banking history or when they will check it. You can ask each bank directly if they use Chexsystems reports to help determine whether or not they’ll open an account for you, but no laws require them to give you an answer.
What Else Can Affect Opening a Checking Account or Savings Account?
Below are some additional issues that may prevent a bank from opening a new account for you.
Filing Bankruptcy May Impact Your Ability Open an Account
It’s also possible that if you have filed for bankruptcy, that may affect your ability to open new account. The leverage ratio is one of the risk factors that may be considered when you are trying to open a new account.
When you file bankruptcy, the information is protected by law, and no one can access it without your permission. However, many banks choose to use this information when opening an account since they do not know if you are actually paying back any debts.
Not Having a Checking Account in the Past
Banks may also consider whether you have had a checking account in the past, as this is often an indicator that the customer will be able to manage their new account. It can also help banks determine how reliable and trustworthy you are with your finances. If you are wondering, can I cash a check that is not in my name? Yes, but it would not count as checking account history.
Having No Credit or Bad Credit
Having no credit is not normally viewed as a negative factor, but no recent history of checking account activity will likely impact your ability to open a new account. If you have had bad credit in the past, it may also affect whether or not you are able to open a bank account. Many banks require that all signers on the account have no recent history of bad credit.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Chexsystems?
Pros of Chexsystems
Chexsystems helps banks make informed decisions about which customers should be provided with a checking account. The company also provides a valuable resource to consumers who receive notice from their banks that there is a problem with their banking history. Consumers can research the reasons why they were denied an account as well as steps they can take to correct any errors found on their reports.
Cons of Chexsystems
Some ethically challenged banks have used ChexSystems information for nefarious purposes, such as denying customers accounts simply because they like to play hardball with the rules and regulations, no matter if it’s ethical or not. This leaves consumers no recourse other than taking their business elsewhere.
What Can You Do If You’re Denied a Checking Account?
If you’ve been denied an account due to negative Chexsystems information, you will need to contact the institution where this occurred and ask them about your situation. Many banks do make exceptions when they find out that there is no way to prove what is on report is correct.
You can look for other options for mobile banking. If you specifically need to make mobile deposits, there are check-cashing apps that don’t use Ingo if you are concerned about that.
Alternatives To Banks That Don’t Use Chexsystems
If you are looking for alternatives to banks that no longer allow you to open an account due to negative ChexSystems information, here are some options.
Check Cashing Stores
One of the most popular alternatives to banks that no longer use Chexsystems is to use a check-cashing store or payday loan center where no credit check is required. If you are looking for close places where to cash a personal check near me, check cashing stores are popular.
Walmart is an example of this as they will cash a check. You just want to make sure you are familiar with the Walmart check cashing policy before heading there.
Check cashers charge much higher fees than banks, so you’ll want to be sure that the convenience of no Chexsystems is worth it. Many also require no bank account, so you can still manage your money without opening a basic, no-frills checking account.
PayPal is another option for limited online banking. There are ways how to use Ingo money for check cashing in PayPal, but it’s usually cumbersome and could have fees.
Don’t forget about 7-Eleven. Not only are they convenient for food, but 7-Eleven check cashing services are also wildly popular via the transact card.
Money Orders
Another great alternative to no credit or no Chexsystems banks are money orders where you go to the post office and pay with cash for a pre-printed receipt with your name on it. There are many places to get a money order near me which make it convenient.
These receipts are accepted anywhere that accepts them as money with no questions asked. This means you’ll have access to many more options for banking, cashing checks, paying bills, etc., but these services are not all available 24/7 like at most traditional banks.
Use a Foreign Bank
You could also consider using a bank that originates in your country but which offers no credit or no Chexsystems options. Many banks outside of the United States offer no credit check accounts, so you won’t need to worry about negative ChexSystems information. You can even get a mortgage loan from a foreign bank as a service.
Online Checking Apps
There are also no credit check checking apps available that let you manage your money no matter where you are. You can deposit mobile checks by taking pictures of them, make bill payments online, etc., no matter how small the balance. Using instant online check cashing apps may be all you need for mobile deposits instead of a standard checking account.
Get a Loan
You can get a loan with no credit check, but you may need to be careful about the interest rates and fees on these loans. You can often find local sources for personal loans near me that specialize in no credit check loans and payday loan advances. There are many guaranteed loans for unemployed individuals with bad credit, but they will come with high-interest rates.
How Does The Fair Credit Reporting Act Apply to Chexsystems?
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) states that no one can deny you an account because of information found in your report as long as the information is accurate and up to date. However, the FCRA does not say anything about whether or not a person has a right to know if their information is included in this type of file.
How Long Is A Negative Entry on Your Chexsystems Report?
Chex Systems, Inc. will keep negative information on your report for five years from the date it was reported. Positive information can remain on your report for up to seven years. However, no one can access this type of information until at least one full year has passed since the date of the incident.
When you order a copy of your report, be sure that no one else has used their Social Security number for their User ID for opening multiple copies of the same online request. It’s also important not to share personal information such as bank account numbers or loan amounts. When I looked into an account with a non-chexsystems bank near me, I didn’t have to worry aboout the details on my chexsystems report.
What is the Difference Between Early Warning Services (EWS) and Chexsystems?
The Early Warning Services (EWS) is another company that reports details to Chexsystems, but only if the bank you are applying for an account with uses this service. Banks also use EWS to help determine whether or not customers should be provided with certain financial products. One goal of EWS was to investigate fraud before it occurred. The EWS no longer protects consumers from this type of fraud, but banks will still use the information to help prevent this sort of activity.
Chexsystems no longer protects banks from fraud, but they can still use the information found on your report to help prevent this type of activity.
How Can I Get a Debit Card Only Account?
You can often request a no-frills account at many banks that provide no checking account options. Many of these no-frills accounts do not require you to have direct deposits or maintain minimum balances. The downside is that no checks can be written on these accounts (not even starter checks), and no credit cards can be attached for your convenience.
The other risk involves if you get a debit card declined error, you won’t be able to use your no-frills account and no-checking money until the error is corrected.
The no-frills account can be a great option if you don’t want all of the extra checking account fees and complications. This way, you can still enjoy access to your own cash.
Summary on Chexsystems Free Banks
Using banks that don’t use Chexsystems monitoring, you no longer have to worry about a negative entry on your ChexSystems report. There are many no-frills checking accounts from which you can choose. You can also use no credit check services or no credit card services for your online account needs.
When you get a no-frills account, make sure that you understand all of the terms and conditions associated with this type of service before opening an account. You may find that it’s very difficult to access cash in this type of account without going into the bank in person, but sometimes these no-frills accounts will be offered regardless.
Remember that if a bank does not offer a no-frills checking option, there should be options available so that you can still manage your money in a no-frills way.
