Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Hawaii

ChexSystems can make it difficult to open a bank account in Hawaii if you’ve had past issues like overdrafts, unpaid fees, or involuntary account closures. Once a negative record is on file, many banks may deny your application.

Fortunately, some Hawaii banks don’t use ChexSystems when reviewing new checking account applications. Others offer second chance checking accounts that can help you get back to managing your money with fewer barriers.

11 Banks in Hawaii That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve put together a list of Hawaii banks and credit unions that don’t use ChexSystems when reviewing new checking account applications.

You can also compare second chance banks in Hawaii for accounts that may help you rebuild access to banking after past account issues.

SoFi

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $400 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.30% APY on savings
  • Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs

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

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 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

Features & Benefits

  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Credit Builder Card with no interest, fees, or credit pull
  • Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
  • Over 47,000 fee-free ATMs

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.

Stash

Features & Benefits

  • No hidden fees
  • Earn stock as you spend with Stock-Back® rewards
  • Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit
  • 55,000+ fee-free ATMs through Allpoint®

Stash offers a checking account that doesn’t require a credit check or ChexSystems approval, making it accessible if you’ve faced banking challenges in the past.

Each time you make eligible purchases with your Stash debit card, you can earn Stock-Back® rewards in the form of fractional shares.

You can also receive your paycheck sooner with early direct deposit, and there are no overdraft fees to worry about.

The account includes access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs and is managed through the Stash app, which also features investing and money management tools.

Bank of Hawaii

Bank of Hawaii offers the EASE account, part of the BankOn program, designed for individuals with credit or banking history challenges.

The EASE account is paper-free, check-free, and has no overdraft fees, making it a convenient and accessible option for those looking to manage their finances more effectively.

It requires a $25 minimum opening deposit, has a $3.25 monthly fee, and includes essential banking features like online and mobile banking, person-to-person payments, and a debit card.

Bank of Hawaii has branches in major cities across Hawaii, including Aiea, Ewa Beach, Hilo, Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua, Kapolei, Pearl City, Waipahu, and Wailuku. Other locations are also available throughout the islands.

CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union

Instead of ChexSystems, CU Hawaii Federal uses Telecheck so you may be able to qualify for a new account.

Their regular checking account option doesn’t have a required opening deposit, minimum account balance, or monthly fee.

Plus, you get perks like online banking and bill pay, mobile banking and check deposit, and overdraft protection.

Membership to CU Hawaii Federal is open to anyone who lives or works on the Islands of Hawaii. Branches are located in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kea’au, Na’alehu, Ocean View, Pahala, and Pahoa.

Gather Federal Credit Union

Gather Federal is another option that relies on Telecheck, not ChexSystems. Start off by using their Checking Navigator, an online tutorial that teaches you how to better manage your checking account.

If you qualify for an account, you can choose from one of several Kasasa rewards accounts, or a traditional share draft account.

This last option has no monthly fee or minimum balance and just requires a $25 opening deposit. Plus, you earn credit union dividends, no matter what your balance may be.

Interested in joining Gather Federal? Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships on the islands of Kauai and Niihau.

There’s a one-time membership fee of $1, and you’ll also need to deposit $5 into your share savings account. Branches are located in Lihue, Waimea, Eleele, and Kapaa.

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union

Hawaii Community Federal uses Telecheck rather than ChexSystems when evaluating new applications.

They have a free account called Check Advantage. It doesn’t come with a monthly fee or a minimum balance requirement, making it a low-cost option for account holders.

When opening your account, however, you do need to deposit $50 into a share savings account.

To join Hawaii Community Federal, you must live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer on Hawaii Island. Locations are in Kaloko, Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua, Kohala, and Honoka’a.

Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union

Any eligible member can open a savings account with Hawaiian Financial Federal.

To get a checking account, they’ll use either ChexSystems or Unicheck.

If you can qualify, they offer Value Checking, which comes with all the basic account features you need to manage your finances. There’s no balance requirement or monthly service fee, and the opening deposit minimum is a mere $5.

To become a member, you must live, worship, work, or go to school on the island of Oahu. There are 12 locations across Honolulu, Kapolei, Waipahu, Kahului, Pearl City, and Wheeler AAF.

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union offers a second chance option through its MyChance Checking Account, designed to help individuals get back on track with their finances.

Opening an account requires a deposit of just $20, and account holders must maintain a balance of $10 or more. With a low monthly fee and access to over 30,000 fee-free ATMs, this account provides affordable banking solutions.

Additionally, HawaiiUSA provides financial management resources and coaching to help account holders improve their financial health.

After a year of responsible management and completion of financial courses, the MyChance Checking Account can be converted to a standard checking account.

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union has branches in several cities, including Honolulu, Kaneohe, Aiea, Pearl City, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Mililani, and Kapolei.

PenFed Credit Union

PenFed Credit Union is a nationwide credit union that offers checking accounts to members in Hawaii.

It may be a good option for people who want a traditional credit union with both online access and local branch service.

PenFed offers Free Checking and Access America Checking, along with mobile banking, debit cards, direct deposit, bill pay, and access to more than 85,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

Its Free Checking, Access America Checking, and Complete Access Checking accounts also receive unlimited ATM transactions without a PenFed fee.

In Hawaii, PenFed has financial centers in Honolulu and Fort Shafter.

Know a bank we missed?

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