Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Georgia

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Associated uses Equifax credit reports to screen new applications. They have multiple locations throughout all of Georgia, but have a particularly strong presence in Atlanta.

Currently, they offer two types of checking accounts: Associated Checking and Simple Checking.

Both require an initial deposit of $25 to open, but for $4.95 a month, Associated Checking comes with a variety of benefits, including credit monitoring, ID Protection, and Cell phone protection.

The checking account includes ATM access, online banking, and even monthly compounding interest on balances over $2,500.

Community Bank and Trust has four different checking accounts available. They are Absolutely Free Checking, Premier 50+ Free Interest Checking, Preferred Free Interest Checking, and Prestige Checking.

The most basic option is Absolutely Free Checking. It requires a $50 minimum deposit. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly frees.

You also get a free debit card, unlimited checking writing, mobile banking, and free E-statements.

Excel FCU is designed for people who need to strengthen their credit history, it acts as a stepping stone to a traditional checking account. They offer second chance banking called Fresh Start Checking.

There are monthly fees associated with this account, but members who keep their account in good standing may be eligible to transition to one of Excel’s more traditional accounts.

To become a member of Excel, you must be related to someone who already has an account, or work with a company that is a part of the Excel network. Excel currently has three locations throughout the Atlanta area.

Firstate Bank has locations in Wrens, Louisville, Americus, and Warrenton. They offer a checking with mobile and OnCall banking.

Firstate currently has three accounts: Community Plus, Community Commercial Checking, and Community Commercial Interest Checking.

Community Plus is the most popular option requiring an initial deposit of $100 with a monthly service of fee of $5.

Georgia United offers a second chance checking account called Restart Checking. It only requires an initial deposit of $25 to open and has a low monthly fee of $12.

Each account holder receives 1.00% APY on balances up to $15,000 and can receive up to $10 in refunds on ATM fees.

Currently, Georgia United CU is concentrated in central and northern Georgia and has 19 branch locations throughout the state.

If you frequent ATMs, it currently has 19 ATMs, as well as over 30 surcharge-free ATMs in the Conyers and Covington regions.

Georgia’s Own offers what it calls Resolution Checking for account holders who may have had previous banking problems in the past. To open an account, applicants must speak with a Georgia’s Own representative.

Georgia’s Own currently has branches in 33 locations located throughout metro Atlanta, Southwest Georgia, Augusta, and Savannah.

Georgia’s Own is completely online and mobile-friendly and is part of a network of surcharge-free ATMs throughout the state.

Heritage Bank does not use ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS to screen new applicants.

To open an account with them, new applicants must apply in person and be able to present a government-issued ID. It has 15 locations throughout Georgian, including even one in Jacksonville, Florida.

They offer four checking accounts but consider Connect Checking; it has no monthly fees. It only requires a one-time deposit of $50 to open, and comes with unlimited free transactions. Furthermore, once the account is open, it does not require a minimum balance to stay free.

North Georgia uses Equifax credit reports to screen all new applications for checking accounts. However, if the applicant simply wants to open a savings account, nothing is screened or analyzed.

NGCU has locations in Toccoa, Hartwell, and Lavonia, and an application can be completed entirely online.

A deposit of $25 into a savings account is required. There is also a one-time fee of $5. The $25 in savings must stay there for membership to continue.

A checking account is entirely free and does not require a minimum balance. Automatic bill pay, as well as online and mobile banking, are also free.

Peach State Federal offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking. It allows account holders to rebuild their ChexSystems credit profile while also enjoying all the benefits of modern checking.

After a year of maintaining a positive status with their account, the account holder may be able to transfer over to a standard checking account.

There is a monthly fee of $9.00 associated with Fresh Start Checking, but once account holders transfer over to the basic plan, there are no monthly fees. Currently, there are 19 branch locations throughout Georgia.

Renasant Bank uses ChexSystems, but it has built a reputation for being more lenient with negative records than other banks. As long as there isn’t a history of fraud and the applicant does not owe any money to Renasant, you may open an account.

Renasant offers four checking options: Renasant Checking, Student Checking, Rewards Checking, and Rewards Extra.

Checking accounts come with online and mobile banking (including remote deposit), bill pay, a free Visa debit card, and Renasant’s Mobile Wallet.

The mobile wallet currently works with:

• Zelle
• Apple Pay
• Apple Pay Cash
• Google Pay

Robins Federal offers a second chance checking account to anyone looking to repair their checking account history. It requires an initial deposit to open an account and has a monthly service fee of $10.

After only 12 months of maintaining a positive account, members who have not overdrawn and who have been able to pay the monthly fees can open up a free checking account.

This account comes with unlimited check writing, a free debit card, as well as free online and mobile banking. Robins Federal currently has multiple locations throughout and around Warner Robins.

Rochelle State Bank only requires a government-issued ID from anyone interested in opening an account. To open up a standard checking account, Rochelle State requires an initial deposit of $100.

There aren’t any monthly service fees if you can keep at least $500 in your account every day of the month. If it falls below $500, however, there is a $5.00 fee.

Moreover, there is also a $0.10 fee for any debit card transactions when the account balance is below $500. Currently, Rochelle State Bank only has one branch location in Rochelle, Georgia.

Instead of ChexSystems, Synovus Bank uses your Equifax credit report and your credit score when considering your application.

All applicants must have a credit score of at least 500 to be considered. If accepted, you’ll get your choice of either Free Checking, Preferred Account, and Gold Checking (if you’re in the military, there’s also the Military Interest Checking option).

Free Checking only requires a $100 deposit to open an account, and there’s no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

Some features include a Visa® debit card, free online and mobile banking, and automatic bill pay.

Woodforest offers a second chance bank account to members at over 700 branches in 17 states.

The minimum opening deposit is just $25 and you’ll also have to pay a one-time setup fee of $9.

It also comes with a monthly fee of $11.95. You can get it reduced to $9.95 by enrolling in direct deposit. Another small fee is a paper statement fee of $3 per month. It can be waived completely by signing up for e-statements.