Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Florida

In Florida, a negative ChexSystems record can make it hard to open a bank account—even if the mistake was years ago. Many banks won’t approve you if they see past issues like overdrafts or closed accounts.

The good news? Florida has several second chance banks and some that don’t use ChexSystems at all. These accounts are designed for people who need a clean slate and a reliable way to manage money.

13 Banks in Florida That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Florida 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.

Ameris Bank

Ameris Bank does use ChexSystems to screen new applicants, but if you have resolved your previous debt and there is no history of fraud or account abuse, you should be able to open an account without any issues.

Ameris Bank offers multiple account options, with its most affordable choice being the At-Ease Checking account. This account has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

It also includes free access to online, mobile, and text banking, as well as free bill pay services. A $25 deposit is required to open the account.

Ameris Bank has locations across northern, western, and central Florida, including branches in Blountstown, Bradenton, Crawfordville, Jacksonville, Orlando, Panama City Beach, and Tallahassee.

Bank United

Bank United may allow you to open an account if your ChexSystems history includes only one bank, no fraud is indicated, and the debt has been repaid.

They offer several account options, including Value Checking, which requires a $50 initial deposit.

The monthly service fee for this account is $7, and it comes with benefits such as a free debit card, free online and mobile banking, and bill pay.

Bank United operates multiple branches throughout Southeast and Southwest Florida, including locations in Altamonte Springs, Aventura, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Lakes, Orlando, and Tampa.

Campus USA Credit Union

Campus USA Credit Union makes banking a little easier by not relying on ChexSystems.

Instead, they look at your Equifax report when considering your application, so even if your banking history isn’t perfect, you’ve still got a shot.

Their free checking account is straightforward—no monthly fees, no minimum balances to worry about. It’s packed with convenient features like mobile and online banking, remote deposits, and even free bill pay.

Plus, you get a free debit card and access to fee-free ATMs at Campus locations and Publix Presto ATMs.

You can find Campus USA branches in several key areas like Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Tallahassee, and throughout Marion County.

Coral Community Federal Credit Union

Coral Community Federal Credit Union reviews both ChexSystems and your Equifax credit report during the application process.

However, you can still get approved if any negative records have been paid off and there’s no history of bank fraud. This makes it a workable option for those rebuilding their financial record.

There are no monthly service fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no need for direct deposit to keep the account open.

Members can manage their accounts entirely online or through Coral Community’s mobile app, which supports mobile check deposit, bill pay, and account alerts.

Membership is limited to select areas within Broward County, Florida, so eligibility is based on where you live or work.

First Choice Credit Union

First Choice Credit Union has branches in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, but members also get access to the nationwide CO-OP Shared Branch network.

This means you can handle in-person banking at thousands of partner locations across the country, which adds convenience if you travel or move.

All membership applications are reviewed carefully, so approval isn’t guaranteed—but if accepted, you’ll have access to several checking account options.

The Value Checking account is a strong pick, with no monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirements. It includes standard features like online banking, mobile deposit, and a free debit card.

Florida Credit Union

Florida Credit Union does not use ChexSystems, but rather uses both a credit report and Telecheck when screening new applications.

Florida CU offers two checking accounts: an interest-bearing account and a non-interest bearing account. The non-interest bearing account is completely free and doesn’t require a minimum balance.

For either account you choose, you get free overdraft protection, online and mobile access, and ATM rebates at non-FCU ATM locations.

FCU currently has branches in DeLand, Lake City, Ocala, Starke, and Gainesville.

People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union

People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union doesn’t rely on ChexSystems or EWS when screening new applicants, making it a more accessible option for those with past banking issues.

Instead, they use Telecheck, which often allows people previously denied by other banks to successfully open an account.

Though they are based in New York, they have a branch in Miami, providing an option for Florida residents looking for an alternative.

Their accounts include features like online banking, bill pay, and unlimited debit card use, along with fee-free ATM access at participating locations.

Synovus

Synovus Bank doesn’t rely on ChexSystems, but instead evaluates applications based on your Equifax credit report and score. To be considered, you’ll need a minimum credit score of 500.

If approved, you have the option to choose between Free Checking, Preferred Account, or Gold Checking. Synovus also offers a Military Interest Checking option for those in the armed forces.

Free Checking is a popular choice, requiring only a $100 deposit to open and with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. Key features include a Visa® debit card, free online and mobile banking, and automatic bill pay.

Synovus Bank operates in various cities throughout Florida, including Apopka, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs, Boynton Beach, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Clearwater, Cocoa Beach, Coral Gables, Crestview, and many more.

University Credit Union

If you’ve only had issues with a ChexSystems bank, UCU might be a good fit for you.

As long as your credit report is average, and you don’t have any negative entries with Telecheck, University CU may open an account with you.

Membership is available to anyone associated with the University of Miami, Florida International University, St. Thomas University, the Legal Community, and the Miami-Dade Community.

There are no service fees or minimum balance requirements, and each member gets free access to mobile and online banking, and access to thousands of surcharge-free ATMs.

Vystar Credit Union

VyStar doesn’t use ChexSystems but does check Telecheck reports when reviewing applications. This makes it a solid choice if you’ve been denied an account elsewhere due to past banking issues.

Membership is open to individuals who live, work, study, or worship in select Florida counties.

These include Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lake, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, St. Johns, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Union, and Volusia.

Opening a standard checking account is free. Members have access to online, mobile, and text banking, along with other tools to help manage their accounts on the go.