Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Florida

Struggling to open a checking account in Florida due to a negative ChexSystems listing?

While most banks use ChexSystems to review your banking history, there are some that don’t. Additionally, some banks offer second checking accounts.

Non-ChexSystems & Second Chance Banks in Florida

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.

Upgrade

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Up to 4.14% APY on savings
  • Up to 2% cash back
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • No monthly fees or overdraft fees

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 ATM 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 4.14% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

Upgrade is partnered with Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and your funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. With an Upgrade checking account, you can also get up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

SoFi

Our Second Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 4.00% 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 4.00% 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

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
  • No credit check or ChexSystems

Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. The company does not use ChexSystems or pull your credit report, and they have a lot to offer.

With Current, your everyday purchases can now shape your financial future. Simply by swiping your debit card, you can build credit. No loans or credit checks needed. There are also no monthly or annual fees for this service.

A Current mobile bank account includes fee-free overdraft protection of up to $200. Account holders also get access to over 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs with your Current debit card, and there is no minimum balance or hidden fees.

You can also get paid up to two days early with direct deposit with a Current Premium account. Plus, Current offers up to 4.00% APY with Current Savings Pods.

Chime®

Features & Benefits

  • Over 14.5 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.

First Tech Federal Credit Union

Features & Benefits

  • Up to $300 sign-up bonus with direct deposit
  • Earn up to 3.50% APY
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • Over 30,000 fee-free ATMs

First Tech Federal Credit Union offers an attractive banking solution that goes beyond traditional constraints, providing members with a combination of high-yield interest and multiple financial incentives across its platforms.

With the First Tech Rewards Checking & Savings accounts, there are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees.

These accounts offer competitive interest rates, with the potential to earn up to 3.50% APY on both checking and savings accounts, depending on the balance—significantly higher than many conventional banks.

Additionally, First Tech offers extensive accessibility with over 30,000 CO-OP network ATMs nationwide for fee-free withdrawals.

The credit union also ensures enhanced financial security and flexibility with features like real-time fraud monitoring and free overdraft transfers.

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.

Centennial Bank

Centennial Bank’s Opportunity 100 Checking account is designed for those looking for a second chance at reestablishing their banking history. It comes with a free debit card, free bill pay, eStatements, and online banking.

What’s great about the Opportunity 100 account is that there are no monthly balance requirements or service fees to worry about. After keeping your account in good standing for 12 months, you’ll have the option to upgrade to a regular account.

Centennial Bank has several branches across Florida, including cities like Baker, Bonifay, Chipley, Crestview, Defuniak Springs, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, and Pensacola. It’s a solid option for getting back on your feet and moving toward better financial opportunities.

Community First Credit Union

Community First CU uses ChexSystems but offers second chance checking accounts called Fresh Start Checking. This account is fully functional, meaning account holders can write checks, use a Visa debit card, and access their account either online or through the mobile app.

There’s a $10 surcharge fee, as well as a $25 initial deposit requirement. Before you can open an account, you must first open a share account with Community First.

To become a member, you’ll need to live, work, or attend school in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, or St. Johns County.

Coral Community Federal Credit Union

Coral Community uses an applicant’s ChexSystems and Equifax credit report. It’s alright if you have negative entries listed on both as long as there is no report of bank fraud and any reporting bank has been paid in full. If all of these are true, you can get an account with Coral Community FCU.

Membership, however, is limited to select regions in Broward County. Members can do all of their banking needs both online and via the mobile app, and there aren’t any balance or direct deposit requirements, nor are there any monthly service fees.

First American Bank

First American Bank is located in the Jacksonville area and offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking.

It requires an initial deposit of $50 to open, but there’s no minimum balance requirement.

Once you’ve kept your account in good standing for 12 months or more, meaning no overdrafts or non-sufficient funds, you may be eligible to open a standard checking account with FAB.

Each account with FAB comes with mobile banking, online banking, and access to a large network of surcharge-free ATMs.

First Choice Credit Union

First Choice has locations in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, but is also a part of the Co-Op Shared Branch network, which has locations across the country. Members can go to any of them.

FCCU reviews all applications carefully before granting membership. Once a member, you’ll have your choice of several account options. Value Checking is perhaps the best, as it doesn’t require a minimum balance or charge any monthly service fees.

First Florida Credit Union

First Florida CU offers a second chance account called Smart Track Checking. Smart Track Checking offers members the chance to get a traditional bank account and repair their financial history.

This account has a $5 monthly service fee, but after 12 months of keeping the account in good standing, members may transition to a standard account with no monthly fees.

All new members get a Visa debit card, free bill pay, and online banking tools. To open an account, you only need to provide a $25 initial deposit after submitting an application.

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.

Gold Coast Federal Credit Union

If you’ve had checking problems in your past, Gold Coast Federal offers a second chance account called Fresh Start.

It does not require a minimum balance, and members can switch over to a standard account after a year of keeping their account in good standing.

Gold Coast currently has locations in West Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach. Belle Glade, Port St. Lucie, Boynton Beach and CU Center, Inc.

Additionally, Gold Coast FCU is partnered with Co-Op Shared Branch ATMs, which means you’ll get access to over 5,600 surcharge-free ATMs when you join.

Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union

Gulf Winds FCU has a second chance account called My Opportunity Checking. My Opportunity Checking has a monthly fee of $10.95

It also requires an initial deposit of $25, which is also the minimum balance. Members get access to a free debit card, free online banking, and free overdraft protection transfer.

Currently, Gulf Winds has six branch locations in Pensacola, one in Crawfordville, and three in Tallahassee. To become a member, you’ll need first need to provide your personal information online, which only takes a few moments of your time.

JetStream Federal Credit Union

JetStream Federal Credit Union offers second chance checking accounts for those who have faced challenges with their past financial history.

This account is designed to help individuals rebuild their checking history after being denied membership at other institutions.

Membership at JetStream is available to anyone who lives, works, studies, or worships in Miami-Dade County, as well as in the Puerto Rican regions of Carolina, Trujillo Alto, and San Juan.

Additionally, relatives of existing JetStream members and employees of Select Member Companies are also eligible to join.

JetStream operates locations across Florida in Miami, Doral, Hialeah, and Coconut Grove.

Liberty Savings Bank

Liberty Savings Bank offers a second chance with its Clean Slate Checking account, designed for people looking to rebuild their banking history. To qualify, you must have fewer than three reports on your ChexSystems record.

The account comes with several benefits, including a free debit card with access to over 55,000 surcharge-free AllPoint ATMs. There are no minimum balance requirements.

You’ll also enjoy free online and mobile banking, along with unlimited check writing privileges each month. After 12 months of maintaining the account in good standing, you may be eligible to upgrade to a regular account.

Liberty Savings Bank has branches in several Florida locations, including Sarasota and Venice, making it a convenient option for residents in these areas who need a second chance.

LOYALTY Credit Union

LOYALTY Credit Union has a second chance account called Fresh Start Checking.

It doesn’t require an initial deposit, and account holders get a fully functional Visa debit card. LOYALTY Credit Union has branch locations in Pensacola, Panama City, Tallahassee, and Crawfordville.

Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in one of 15 different counties. To begin membership, new members must purchase one $5.00 share from LCU.

McCoy Federal Credit Union

McCoy FCU offers second chance accounts to enable people to repair their financial history while also enjoying all the perks that come with a standard checking account.

With McCoy, account holders get unlimited check writing, free direct deposit, free debit card, free bill pay, free eStatements, and online account access.

McCoy has multiple locations throughout Orlando, and membership is available to anyone lives, works, studies, or worships in Orange, Osceola, Seminole or Lake counties.

Members First Credit Union of Florida

Members First Credit Union does use ChexSystems when reviewing new account applications, but they’re more flexible than most credit unions.

If you have a couple of negative entries and no history of fraud, you may still be approved as long as all outstanding balances have been paid.

They offer three types of free checking accounts—Kasasa Cash, Kasasa Cash Back, and Everyday Checking—each with no minimum balance requirements.

Features include online, mobile, and text banking, bill pay, eStatements, and debit cards, along with the option to receive your paycheck two days early through direct deposit.

Members First Credit Union has several branches located in Pensacola and Pace, Florida.

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.

San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union

San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union (SACFCU) offers a second chance checking account for new applicants.

To become a member, you must live, work, study, or worship in Eastern Pasco or Eastern Hernando County, Florida. To make your membership official, you can open a savings account with a minimum deposit of just $5.

After successfully maintaining the second chance account in good standing for a year, members are eligible to transfer to a standard checking account. SACFCU has branches located in San Antonio, Dade City, Zephyrhills, and Wesley Chapel.

South Florida Federal Credit Union

South Florida Federal Credit Union offers the Aspire Checking account, designed for individuals needing a second chance at rebuilding their banking history.

This account comes with most of the features of a regular checking account, such as online and mobile banking and a Mastercard debit card. The $10 monthly fee can be waived if you enroll in payroll direct deposit.

After a year of maintaining a good standing without any non-sufficient funds, the account may convert to a regular checking account. Additionally, completing two financial education options can make the account eligible for conversion in 10 months.

The credit union has branches in Miami and West Palm Beach.

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 rely on ChexSystems but uses Telecheck to evaluate applications. This makes it a great option for those who might have been turned away by other banks.

Located primarily in the Jacksonville area, Vystar offers membership to individuals who live, work, study, or worship the following counties: 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 account with Vystar is completely free, and members enjoy convenient features such as online, mobile, and text banking to manage their finances.