Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in California

SoFi doesn’t use ChexSystems and offers a no-fee checking and savings account with solid perks.

You can earn up to 3.30% APY on savings, access over 55,000 fee-free ATMs, and get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

There are no overdraft fees, balance requirements, or monthly charges. You can also earn a sign-up bonus of up to $400 when you set up qualifying direct deposits.

Current doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so approval is easy—even with a rough banking history.

There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and you get access to 40,000 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit by using your debit card—no loans, credit pulls, or interest charges.

Current includes fee-free overdraft protection up to $200 and lets you get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Optional Savings Pods earn up to 4.00% APY.

Chime doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so anyone can open an account.

There’s no monthly fee, no minimum opening deposit, and access to over 47,000 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit with the Chime Card, a secured Visa credit card with no annual fees, no interest charges, and no credit check required.

Direct deposit users can get paid up to two days early, and cash deposits are free at over 8,500 Walgreens locations.

To open the account, there is a $20 fee, and you’ll need to maintain a balance of at least $100. The monthly service fee is $7, but it can be reduced to $4 if your account balance is $750 or more.

Account benefits include free online banking, online bill pay, unlimited check writing, and a Visa debit card. You can also sign up for overdraft protection to add an extra layer of security to your account.

American United Federal Credit Union has branch locations in California at Coachella, San Jacinto, and Cabazon.

Their Totally Free Checking account offers several perks, including a free debit card, free e-statements, online banking, and bill pay. If you regularly write checks, there’s no limit on how many you can use each month, and you can even personalize your checks with images.

There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, making Bank of the Sierra a strong option for unbanked Californians.

Bank of the Sierra has branches in cities across California, including Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia, and Porterville.

You can open the account with just a $25 deposit, provided there’s no fraud on your ChexSystems report. Additionally, any open owed amounts must be resolved before you can open the account.

The Fresh Start Checking account comes with a $10 monthly service fee and has reduced limits on daily ATM withdrawals.

California Coast Credit Union has branches across Southern California, including in cities such as San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Oceanside, and Temecula.

To open this account, you’ll need to have a Primary Savings Account and make an initial deposit of $25. The account comes with a monthly fee of $15.

After one year of keeping the account in good standing, without any overdraft activity, you may apply for a Regular Free Checking account.

New Beginnings Checking provides access to essential banking services, including free online banking, e-statements, and bill pay.

There are no overdraft fees, and account holders can use over 30,000 Co-op Network ATMs across the U.S. and Canada without paying extra fees, though some restrictions may apply.

California Community Credit Union has branches in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Modesto, and Roseville.

The monthly service fee is just $6 if you maintain a balance of $50 or more. Otherwise, the cost is $10 per month.

If your account is in good standing for a year, you can upgrade to Foothill’s Simply Free account. You can apply in person at one of their three branch locations in Arcadia, Covina, or Glendora.

Note that Foothill states that Rebound accounts are subject to close monitoring and can be closed immediately for negative activity. That gives you extra incentive to manage your account responsibly.

After keeping your account in good standing for 12 months, you can upgrade to a Regular account.

If you sign up for direct deposit with your Second Chance account, the monthly fee is $10. Without direct deposit, the monthly fee is $15. The account comes with a debit card and services like online banking.

Los Angeles Federal Credit Union has branches across the Los Angeles area, including in Van Nuys, Glendale, Culver City, Downtown Los Angeles, Montebello, El Monte, Gardena, and Cerritos.

The minimum opening deposit is $25, and the monthly fee is $13, which can be reduced to $10 per month if you receive at least $200 in direct deposits each month.

Services with this account include online and mobile banking, bill pay, and mobile check deposit. Premier America also provides access to a wide network of ATMs, which you can use for free.

Additionally, there’s no fee from Premier America if you use an out-of-network ATM. You can also transfer funds using person-to-person services like Popmoney.

Premier America Credit Union has branches in cities across California, including Burbank, Camarillo, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Oxnard, Santa Monica, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks.

To qualify, you’ll need a credit score of at least 520 and a $25 opening deposit.

You must also have at least $500 a month in direct deposits and must pay a $15 monthly service fee. To open an account, visit one of Priority One’s branches in South Pasadena, Los Angeles, or Van Nuys.

Once you’re approved for your account, there’s no minimum balance required.

You’re free to access both online and mobile banking and can use your check card anywhere Visa is accepted. There is, however, a $300 daily limit on how much you can withdraw through both purchases and ATMs.

The monthly service fee is $5, but it can be waived in one of three ways: by maintaining an average daily balance of $2,500 across all Self-Help accounts, having direct deposits of $500 or more each month, or if the account holder is aged 24 or under or 65 or older.

Services such as online banking, mobile banking, and mobile deposits are free. However, for bill pay services, only the first 20 transactions are free each month, with a $1 fee for each additional transaction.

Self-Help Federal Credit Union has branches throughout California, including in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Oakland, and San Francisco.

There’s no minimum deposit or balance required for this account, but it comes with a $15 monthly service fee. You’ll also need to set up direct deposit, unless your employer doesn’t offer this option.

After successfully managing the account for 12 months, you can take a Consumer Credit Counseling Service class, paid for by Southland Credit Union. After completing the class, you can upgrade to a regular account.

Southland Credit Union has branches in cities across California, including Downey, Carson, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica.

This straightforward account has no minimum balance and no monthly or per-check fees, making it easy to manage.

UNIFY has multiple locations across California, including branches in Brentwood, Camarillo, Concord, Glendale, Hawthorne, Huntington Beach, Lakewood, Los Angeles, Montebello, and Oakland.

By setting up direct deposit, you can reduce the monthly service fee to $5. Otherwise, the fee is $12 without direct deposit.

This account offers an opportunity for financial recovery with essential banking services. To improve your chances of being approved, it’s recommended to apply in person at one of VCCU’s conveniently located branches.

VCCU has multiple branches in Ventura, Port Hueneme, Oxnard, RiverPark, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Moorpark. Those who live, work, or attend school in Ventura or Santa Barbara counties are eligible to become members.