Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Arizona

If you’ve had trouble opening a bank account in Arizona, ChexSystems might be the reason why. It’s a system banks use to check your past banking behavior, and one mistake can lead to a denial.

The good news? There are banks in Arizona that don’t use ChexSystems, along with second chance banking options for anyone working to rebuild their financial life.

11 Banks in Arizona That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Arizona banks and credit unions that allow anyone to open a checking account, regardless of their banking history.

Current

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Build credit just by using your debit card
  • No minimum balance or monthly fees
  • 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
  • Get paid up to 2 days faster

Current lets you open a mobile bank account without ChexSystems checks or credit pulls. It’s built for speed, flexibility, and getting your finances back on track.

You can build credit just by using your Current debit card—no loans, credit checks, or interest charges involved. There are no monthly or annual fees for this feature.

Current also offers fee-free overdraft protection up to $200, access to over 40,000 Allpoint ATMs, and no minimum balance requirements.

With a Premium account, you can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Current also offers up to 4.00% APY through its Savings Pods, which lets you earn interest while keeping your money accessible.

SoFi

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.80% APY on savings
  • Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs

The SoFi Checking and Savings account provides a multitude of benefits, including no overdraft fees, balance requirements, or monthly charges.

For a limited time, there’s an enticing sign-up bonus of up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits.

In addition, account holders can utilize 55,000 ATMs free of charge via the Allpoint® Network. Those establishing direct deposit can earn up to 3.80% APY on their savings and 0.50% APY on checking accounts.

Direct deposit users also get the added benefit of early access to their paychecks – up to 2 days ahead.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • Over 22 million downloads
  • No credit check or ChexSystems
  • No minimum opening deposit
  • Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs

With Chime, bad banking history is not an issue. They offer an award-winning financial app, a checking account with a debit card, and a savings account, all with no credit check.

When you open a Chime Checking Account, you won’t have to worry about monthly maintenance fees, foreign transaction fees, or minimum balance fees.

You can also start building your credit7 with the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. It’s a secured credit card with no annual fees, no credit checks, and no interest charges1.

Chime has over 60,0001 fee-free MoneyPass® and Visa® Plus Alliance ATMs. Plus, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit2. You can also deposit cash for free at over 8,500 Walgreens.

Alhambra Credit Union

Alhambra Credit Union offers a Basic Checking Account designed for members with a record in ChexSystems.

You may qualify for this account if your history involves an unpaid closure or non-sufficient funds activity.

The account has a monthly fee of $10 and includes features like bill pay and free usage of Alhambra ATMs. Additionally, you get four free withdrawals each month at non-Alhambra ATMs, with a fee of $2.25 for each withdrawal beyond that.

Alhambra Credit Union has branch locations in Phoenix and Glendale, providing easy access for Arizona residents.

America First Credit Union

America First Credit Union does not use ChexSystems to determine eligibility. Instead, they rely on your Experian credit report.

Their Go Checking account comes with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement. You’ll also get free e-statements, online banking, and bill pay.

With over 80,000 ATMs available for free across the country, the account offers a daily withdrawal limit of $500. The Go Checking debit card allows for up to $3,000 in purchases and $1,000 for point-of-sale purchases using your PIN.

America First Credit Union serves Arizona residents with branches in cities like Goodyear, Mesa, Page, St. Johns, and Tempe.

Arizona Financial Credit Union

Arizona Financial Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems, making it a convenient option for those who may have had previous financial challenges.

The credit union offers two checking account options: Premier Checking, which has a $9 monthly service fee (waived under specific conditions), and Free Checking with no monthly fee.

Both accounts provide key features such as overdraft services, mobile banking, and access to a free Visa debit card.

Arizona Financial Credit Union has branches in multiple cities across the state, including Phoenix, Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Surprise.

Cochise Credit Union

Rather than using ChexSystems to screen new checking account applicants, Cochise Credit Union pulls a credit report.

So if your credit history is better than your banking history, this could be a viable option for you.

The account requires an opening deposit of just $25, with no minimum balance required. However, if you maintain a balance of at least $50, you’ll earn 0.05% APY on your account. Additional checking benefits include a Visa debit card, online banking, and bill pay.

Membership eligibility is based on your Arizona zip code or your local employer, so be sure to check if you qualify. Cochise Credit Union has branch locations in Willcox.

Coconino Federal Credit Union

Coconino Federal Credit Union offers more flexible eligibility than many banks, making it a strong option if you’ve had past banking issues.

You can qualify for an account even with one paid ChexSystems record, which helps more people get back on track.

The Adventure Checking account keeps things simple. There’s no minimum deposit or balance requirement, but there is a $6 monthly fee.

It comes with full-service features like mobile banking, mobile deposit, bill pay, and no per-check charges.

Coconino FCU has branch locations in Flagstaff and Page, Arizona, serving members in the northern parts of the state.

OneAZ Credit Union

You can avoid a ChexSystems review with OneAZ (formerly known as Arizona State Credit Union) if you apply in person, in which case they’ll use EWS.

Check out the Arizona Checking Account, providing you with access to both online banking and text alerts.

There’s a $7 monthly fee, but you can get it waived with one of the following:

  • one direct deposit each month of at least $100
  • at least 10 purchases with your debit card each month
  • a $2,000 aggregate average daily balance of loans and deposits through OneAZ.

There are branch locations throughout the state, in and around Flagstaff, Prescott, Phoenix, and Safford.

SunWest Federal Credit Union

SunWest Federal is a ChexSystems bank, but if you become a member, you can open a savings account with them.

After one year has elapsed, you’ll be able to open a checking account, too, if the savings account remains in good standing.

It’s a bank worth getting your foot in the door to because a checking account with SunWest comes with many perks.

For starters, SunWest doesn’t require a monthly service fee, nor is there a minimum balance. Furthermore, they offer multiple overdraft protection options, free unlimited checking, and free mobile banking.

If you eventually get a Premier checking account and maintain a daily balance of $1,000 or more, you can get paid dividends each month.

Western State Bank

Instead of using ChexSystems, Western State Bank screens applicants using their credit report.

If you’ve had issues with banks in the past but have maintained a decent credit score, you may qualify for an account with WSB.

Western State Bank offers four types of checking accounts: Free Checking, Future Checking, VIP Checking, and VIP Plus Checking.

All of these accounts come with benefits such as free bill pay, free direct deposit, free identity theft protection, free online and mobile banking, and free Telebank services.

Western State Bank serves Arizona residents with branches in Casa Grande, Chandler, Deer Valley, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Sun City.