If you have been denied a checking or savings account, ChexSystems is likely a familiar name to you. Unfortunately, being in ChexSystems likely means you have a tarnished banking history.
However, there are still options available through credit unions that do not use ChexSystems. These bank accounts typically offer the same features that you would get with any other bank account. Among these features are no overdraft fees, a debit card, and a mobile app with mobile check deposit capabilities.
14 Credit Unions That Don’t Use ChexSystems
Despite a negative banking record, you can still secure a bank account through a credit union. Here are the best credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems.
1. American Airlines Credit Union
American Airlines Credit Union (AACU) was founded in 1936 by American Airlines employees. It has since grown to manage $8.5 billion in assets.
2. Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), established in 1933, is a credit union dedicated to serving active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families.
3. America First Credit Union
As a member of America First Credit Union, get have access to no-cost checking and savings accounts. Headquartered in Utah, the credit union primarily serves members who live in western states such as Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho.
4. Hope Credit Union
Hope Credit Union is a credit union with branches in five states, including Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama.
5. Credit Union One
Credit Union One is a Michigan-based credit union with 19 branches and access to the CO-OP branch network.
6. Staley Credit Union
Staley Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative founded in 1930. They serve members in several counties in Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee,
7. Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union
Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union is a credit union based in Dallas that offers 100% virtual services, which means that members can join from anywhere.
8. Excite Credit Union
Excite Credit Union serves members in several California and North Carolina counties, as well as employees and families of over 400 companies.
9. Premier America Credit Union
Premier America Credit Union has branches in California and Texas, and over 5,000 shared branch locations.
10. Ashland Credit Union
Ashland Credit Union operates four branches in Kentucky, Ohio, and Minnesota, providing a range of financial solutions designed to meet the diverse requirements of their members.
11. American United Federal Credit Union
American United Federal Credit Union is a Utah-based credit union with 10 branches across Utah and California, dedicated to serving the financial needs of its members.
12. Delta Community Credit Union
Delta Community Credit Union is a credit union headquartered in Georgia, with branch locations in Georgia, Kentucky, Texas, and Utah.
13. Tower Federal Credit Union
Tower Federal Credit Union offers a range of banking options through its 17 branches located throughout Maryland. One of their popular products is a free checking account with no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.
14. Texas Trust Credit Union
Texas Trust Credit Union is a prominent financial institution in Texas, with 22 branches spread across the state.
Alternatives to Credit Unions That Don’t Use ChexSystems
There are several alternatives to credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems. These include banks that don’t use ChexSystems, second chance checking accounts, and prepaid debit cards.
Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems
Just like credit unions, there are several banks that don’t use ChexSystems when evaluating potential customers for checking accounts. These banks may have their own set of qualifications for opening an account, but they do not rely on ChexSystems reports.
Here are some of the top banks that don’t use ChexSystems:
1. U.S. Bank
Features & Benefits
- Up to $400 bonus
- Minimum opening deposit of $25
- Monthly service fee: $0 or $6.95
- Over 40,000 surcharge-free MoneyPass ATMs
2. Chime®
Features & Benefits
- Over 14.5 million downloads
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- No minimum opening deposit
- Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs
3. Current
Features & Benefits
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- No minimum balance or monthly fees
- Fee-free overdraft up to $200 with Overdrive
- 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
- Get paid up to 2 days faster
4. Chase
Features & Benefits
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- $100 bonus after 10 purchases in 60 days
- Over 16,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Over 4,700 branches nationwide
- $4.95 monthly service fee
Second Chance Checking Accounts
Some financial institutions offer “second chance” checking accounts to customers who have been reported to ChexSystems.
These accounts often come with monthly service fees and may have limitations, such as not allowing customers to write checks or use overdraft protection. However, they can be a suitable option for people who need a second chance.
Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards are not linked to traditional checking accounts, so they are not subject to ChexSystems reports. A prepaid debit card can be used to make purchases, withdraw cash from ATMs, and pay bills online. However, they may have fees associated with activating, reloading, or using the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ChexSystems?
ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency that collects data on bank and credit union customers’ checking and savings account usage. This includes unpaid overdrafts, negative account balances, fraud, and suspicious activity, supplied by the credit unions and banks.
Banks and credit unions use the service to access the information. It is separate from credit reports and Telecheck, which mainly focuses on check cashing.
Why do banks and credit unions use ChexSystems?
Banks and credit unions use ChexSystems to check an individual’s banking history and identify potential risks when they apply for a new account. ChexSystems maintains records of account openings and closures, as well as any instances of bounced checks, fraud, or other negative banking activity.
This information helps financial institutions to identify customers who may be more likely to cause financial losses, such as by writing bad checks. This can help the financial institution make a decision on whether to approve an account application.
What are credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems?
Credit unions are non-profit organizations that are owned and controlled by their members.
Credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems are financial institutions providing banking services without depending on ChexSystems to screen applicants’ banking history.
Some of these credit unions may use alternative methods like Telecheck or EWS to assess potential members’ financial backgrounds, while others may not perform financial background checks at all. This allows individuals with a negative ChexSystems record or no financial history to access banking services.
How can I be removed from ChexSystems?
To be removed from ChexSystems, you can dispute any errors on your ChexSystems report. To achieve this, you will need to contact ChexSystems directly and provide documentation supporting your dispute. If the dispute is found in your favor, the errors will be corrected on your report.
You can also work on improving your banking history, pay off any outstanding debts, and avoid future negative incidents. Once you have resolved any outstanding issues and have a positive history, you can request that the financial institution that reported the information to ChexSystems to remove it from the report.
Which credit unions do not use ChexSystems?
While most credit unions do use ChexSystems when making decisions about opening new accounts, there are plenty that do not.
With over 4,900 credit unions in the United States, it’s important to check with the specific credit union you’re interested in to confirm their policies and procedures regarding ChexSystems. The list provided above is only a partial list and should be taken as a reference.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.
1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Chime 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.
7. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, 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.