Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Arkansas

U.S. Bank is now inviting new customers to take advantage of a special online promotion:

• Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
• Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through May 6, 2025. Member FDIC.
• Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.

The checking account comes with a free debit card and the option to lock or unlock the card if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs or surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass Network ATMs.

U.S. Bank uses ChexSystems, but it has a history of being more lenient with records than most banks.

As long as you don’t have a history of fraud, or you don’t owe any money to U.S. Bank, you may be able to open a checking account with them.

The minimum opening deposit for this account is just $25, and the monthly service fee is $6.95. However, you can avoid the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum balance of $1,500 or by having a minimum monthly direct deposit of $1,000.

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 3.80.00% 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.

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.

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.

Upgrade doesn’t pull your ChexSystems report, but they do look at your credit report.

The Upgrade Rewards Checking account has no monthly fees and no overdraft fees. You’ll also get a free Visa debit card, and up to 2% cash back on everyday debit card purchases.

The Upgrade Premier Savings account delivers an impressive 4.02% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

You’ll get access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint network, including Walgreens and CVS locations. Plus, checking account customers can qualify for up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

This account comes with a monthly fee of $9.95 if you enroll in direct deposit, or $14.95 if you don’t. You get a debit card, as well as online and mobile banking, and bill pay services.

In addition to a large ATM network across the country, you can also request one overdraft fee refund each year.

The minimum opening deposit is $50. To avoid a monthly paper statement fee of $1.50, you can switch to e-statements for free.

After managing your account well for a year, you may be eligible for an upgraded checking account. BOK Financial has branches in Bentonville and Fayetteville.

The minimum opening deposits for these accounts range from $25 to $1,000, depending on the account type.

For some checking accounts, the monthly fee can be waived by meeting certain requirements.

These accounts come with basic features, including a free debit card, online banking, and bill pay services.

Cadence Bank has branches in several cities across Arkansas, including Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Conway, and Jonesboro.

It starts at $10, but can be reduced to $8 per month when you enroll in direct deposit. Once you reach 12 months with no insufficient funds, you can switch to another checking account at Diamond Bank.

In addition to an instant-issue debit card, you get unlimited check writing and online and mobile banking services, including mobile deposit.

You can find Diamond Bank locations in Glenwood, Mount Ida, Hot Springs, Murfreesboro, Dierks, Nashville, Mineral Springs, Mena, Hope, DeQueen, Ashdown, Russellville, and Texarkana.

Even if you have a negative history with a consumer reporting agency, you’re eligible for this account.

The account requires a $50 opening balance, and there’s no monthly minimum balance requirement. The monthly service fee is $8.50 with direct deposit or $11.50 without direct deposit.

You’ll also enjoy unlimited check writing (checks available for purchase) and a free Mastercard® debit card, subject to approval. After 12 months of good standing, your account will convert to Regular Checking.

Branches are available in the following cities, with other locations across the region: Batesville, Beebe, Cabot, Conway, Harrison, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mountain Home, Rogers, and Searcy.

There are multiple checking accounts available, including Earn Checking, Earn 50+ Checking, Reward Checking, and General Checking.

The most accessible account for most people is General Checking. You’ll need a $100 opening deposit, but you can easily get the $5 monthly fee waived by enrolling in e-statements.

You can find multiple First Service Bank branches across Arkansas, including Conway, Clinton, Dermott, Flippin, Greenbrier, Little Rock, Marshall, Mountain View, Shirley, and Yellville.

The monthly service fee is $7.95, but can be reduced to $5.95 by enrolling in e-statements. There’s no minimum balance with this account, and it takes just a $50 deposit to get started.

You get a debit card with this account and can also purchase checks to use. Free benefits include online and mobile banking with check deposit.

Focus Bank has Arkansas branches in Jonesboro, Marmaduke, and Paragould.

Checking account options include Advanced Checking with a $10.95 monthly fee, Career Checking and 50+ Checking, both free with a monthly direct deposit, and Basic Checking, which incurs a $6.50 fee if the balance drops below $100.

All accounts come with a Visa check card, free online and text banking with bill pay, and an interest-bearing option if you maintain a minimum balance.

Additional benefits include fee-free ATM transactions at FSNB locations, mobile banking, free e-statements, no charge for cashier’s checks and money orders, and one free box of standard checks every quarter.

FSNB has branch locations in Arkansas at the North Conway Walmart, Pine Bluff Walmart, and Russellville Walmart.

As long as your credit score is at least 600, and you don’t owe any money to Hope Community, HCCU is likely to open an account.

Hope Credit Union offers five checking account options. Some of these accounts require a $25 minimum balance and have a $9.95 monthly fee, which is waived if the account balance reaches at least $200.

Checking accounts come with unlimited paperless transactions, free online and mobile banking, free eStatements, and overdraft protection options.

Hope Credit Union has branch locations in Arkansas at College Station, Little Rock, and West Memphis.

With a $10 monthly maintenance fee, the account provides access to convenient banking features like a free instant-issue debit card and online banking tools.

It’s a solid option for those looking to regain control over their finances, with no minimum balance required.

Members also benefit from surcharge-free ATMs and ITMs within Red River’s extended network.

Branches are available in Ashdown, Hope, Nashville, and Texarkana, Arkansas.

There are some requirements you’ll need to meet, however. The record must be less than $300 and your charge-offs must be satisfied before opening the account.

Each month, you’ll pay a fee of $5 for Fresh Start checking. You’ll also need an opening deposit of $100, which will be placed on hold during the first 30 days.

After 12 months of no instances of non-sufficient funds, you can upgrade to a traditional checking account.

To join River Valley Community FCU, you must live, work, or worship in one of the following Arkansas counties: Ouachita, Calhoun, Columbia, Union, or Dallas.

It’s designed for individuals who want to reestablish their banking history with minimal barriers.

The account requires a $100 opening deposit, and the $2.95 monthly fee is waived when you enroll in e-statements.

While it’s a basic account, it covers the essentials and provides a reliable way to manage your money without unnecessary extras.

Southern Bancorp operates more than 20 branches across Arkansas, with locations in cities such as Arkadelphia, Helena, Hot Springs, and Little Rock, making it a convenient choice for many residents in the state.

This account includes digital banking, mobile check deposit, a free debit card, and access to thousands of fee-free ATMs through the CO-OP network.

There’s no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance to worry about.

UNIFY also offers educational resources and financial tools to help you move toward other account options over time.

In Arkansas, you’ll find branch locations in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Lowell, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and Springdale.