5 Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems and Won’t Hold Your History Against You
Life ain’t perfect. And given how difficult it can be to reach financial goals (or even just make ends meet), sometimes, our banking and credit histories aren’t perfect, either.
Even if you’ve got negative information on your ChexSystems record, which is like a credit report for your banking habits, you likely need a checking account. And while your history may be a dealbreaker at some banks, we found five banks that don’t use ChexSystems.
5 Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems… or Will Give You a Second Chance Account
Getting back on your financial feet can be difficult in the best of circumstances. Without access to a checking account, it’s that much more of a challenge.
Fortunately, these banks offer second chance banking products for customers with less-than-perfect banking histories.
1. Chime®
Online banking is a great alternative in this digital age — after all, chances are you pay most of your bills online already. Chime offers a mobile banking app that you can apply for in under two minutes, and best of all, it doesn’t pull your credit report or use ChexSystems.
Although Chime doesn’t have any physical branch locations, you can access your cash easily through its network of more than 47,000+ ATMs nationwide, none of which charge you a fee. Chime account holders also get to skip overdraft fees, monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance requirements, making this one of the easiest bank accounts to maintain on the market.
Chime also offers an expedited direct deposit option that could put your paycheck in your hands up to two days earlier than you’d expect with a traditional bank. And if you’re still trying to build your emergency fund, you can take advantage of its automatic savings service, which rounds up your spare change to stuff your piggy bank.
Monthly fee: $0
Minimum opening deposit: $0
2. Wells Fargo
If you want access to a major nationwide bank with brick-and-mortar branches you can walk into, Wells Fargo’s Opportunity Checking account may be your best bet.
The account has a $10 monthly service fee and requires a $25 initial deposit. The good news is, the monthly fee can be waived by doing one of the following:
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- Posting 10 or more debit card transactions.
- Receiving at least $500 per month in direct deposit transfers.
- Maintaining a minimum daily balance of $1,500. (OK, maybe that isn’t so easy!)
Like other major financial institutions, Wells Fargo offers its customers a suite of easy-to-use digital tools, including online bill pay, a mobile app, monthly spending reports and more.
Monthly fee: $10 (waivable)
Minimum opening deposit: $25
Visit our Wells Fargo Bank review to learn more.
3. Peoples Cash Solutions
The Peoples Cash Solutions Second Chance Checking Account is available nationwide and is a convenient way to get back into banking if you’ve had trouble opening an account due to your financial history.
There’s no mobile app, but you can monitor your accounts and make payments online for free. The bank also offers you a free checkbook for those bills you have to pay on paper. (We’re looking at you, landlords.)
You’ll also get a free debit card you can use both to make point-of-service transactions and to access your funds via worldwide ATMs. There is, however, a monthly service fee of $4.95, and there’s no way to waive it.
Monthly fee: $4.95
Minimum opening deposit: $30
4. GoBank
Another online-only mobile checking account is GoBank, a company that offers users a free debit card that can be used to deposit cash at more than 100,000 participating retailers across the U.S. (for a fee of up to $4.95). Because GoBank allows its users to pay bills online or with paper checks, it’s easy to get your money exactly where it needs to go, no matter where that may be.
GoBank also has a mobile app that offers some fancy features, like Fortune Teller, an algorithm that uses your balance, budget, and purchase amount to tell you whether that new jacket or delivery pizza you’re thinking about is actually a good idea.
You can also take cash from ATMs and receive expedited direct deposits. If you receive $500 or more in direct deposits each month, you can waive the $8.95 monthly service fee.
Monthly fee: $8.95 (waivable)
Minimum opening deposit: $20
5. Radius Bank
Radius is another online banking and lending company, and if you can’t qualify for its regular checking products, you might consider its Essential Checking option.
The account is available to customers with ChexSystems records and other negative factors, and you can upgrade to a cash back Rewards Checking account after a year of positive banking history. Like other virtual banks, Radius offers neat add-on features including a built-in budgeting program and regular spending analysis, plus you can make transfers and pay bills online.
Note, however, that Essential Checking customers are limited by daily debit card caps, which are gradually lifted over time. When you first open your account, you’ll be able to spend no more than $250 per day, regardless of transaction type (ATM withdrawal, mobile wallet payment, etc.), a limit that goes up to $500 after a month.
Monthly Fee: $9
Minimum Opening Deposit: $10
How to Tell if You’re on the ChexSystems List
Not sure if you’ve got a bad ChexSystems record?
Just as with your credit report, you have a legal right to a free copy of your ChexSystems report once per calendar year, thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act.
Requesting your report is easy and can be done online, over the phone, or even by fax or mail. For full details, head directly to the ChexSystems website.
If you see any errors, file a dispute as soon as possible — but even if you’ve got a real-deal mar, take heart: Most items fall off in five years, and in the meantime, you still have banking options.
Jamie Cattanach’s work has been featured at Fodor’s, Yahoo, SELF, The Huffington Post, The Motley Fool and other outlets. Learn more at www.jamiecattanach.com.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank.
MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS ID 2316451).
Chime is recommended by more of its users in the 2024 Qualtrics® NPS study when compared to top national banks and select fintechs. THE #1 MOST LOVED BANKING APP is a Registered Trademark of Chime Financial, Inc.
* Terms apply. Limited time only, must open the new account and complete qualifying activities to earn 3 individual rewards, up to a max of $350.00, as described at https://www.chime.com/policies/newmemberofferv3.
1 Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
2 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network.
3 SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, “SpotMe”). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month.
Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won’t cover non-card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe Terms and Conditions.
4 With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases. Please refer to the Secured Chime Visa® Credit Card – Cash Rewards Program Addendum for details and more information on rotating cash back categories.
5 On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
6 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
7 Money added to Chime Card™ will be held in a secured deposit account as collateral for your Chime Card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
8 You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer.
9 To be eligible for Chime+™ status, you must receive a qualifying direct deposit to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 34 days. Certain products marketed as Chime+ benefits have additional eligibility requirements. While some Chime+ benefits may have associated fees, none of these fees are mandatory to access Chime+ benefits or to maintain Chime+ status. See Chime+ Terms and Conditions for details.
10 To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 36 days as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 – $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details.
11 Top three national bank ranking according to the Federal Reserve Statistical Release based on domestic assets; number of ATMs self-reported by Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – June 2025.
12 To apply for a Chime Card, you must also open a Chime Checking Account.
13 Chime Visa® Credit Card holders – Deposits and debit refunds go to your Checking Account, then transfer to your Chime Card Secured Deposit Account – other than Chime Card cash deposits at retailers, which go to your Chime Card Account, then transfer to your Secured Deposit Account. Funds are moved from your Secured Deposit Account to your Checking Account to facilitate outbound transfers and debit purchases. Your Available balance is the money you can spend with your Chime Card or Checking Account. See account agreements and statements for details.
14 Chime will report the following activities, as applicable, to TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax®: amount past due; payment status of the last paid-off balance; how long you’ve had your card; current statement balance; last balance payment date; and highest balance before paying it off.
