Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Idaho

U.S. Bank is now inviting new customers to take advantage of a special online promotion:

• Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
• Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through May 6, 2025. Member FDIC.
• Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.

The checking account comes with a free debit card and the option to lock or unlock the card if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs or surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass Network ATMs.

U.S. Bank uses ChexSystems, but it has a history of being more lenient with records than most banks.

As long as you don’t have a history of fraud, or you don’t owe any money to U.S. Bank, you may be able to open a checking account with them.

The minimum opening deposit for this account is just $25, and the monthly service fee is $6.95. However, you can avoid the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum balance of $1,500 or by having a minimum monthly direct deposit of $1,000.

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 3.80.00% 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 is a financial technology company that offers mobile banking without ChexSystems checks or credit pulls. It’s a flexible option for anyone looking to rebuild or simplify their finances.

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.

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.

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.

Their checking accounts include standard features like a debit card, overdraft protection, and check-writing. Some accounts have no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements.

You can qualify for membership if you have a connection to the education system in certain Idaho counties, including Ada, Adams, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, or Washington.

If not, you can still join by becoming a member of the Idaho CapEd Foundation for a one-time $20 fee.

CapEd has branches in Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, Meridian, Nampa, and Twin Falls.

If your application is approved, you will have access to a share draft checking account, which includes a debit card and the ability to set up direct deposit.

Membership eligibility is extended to individuals who live, work, attend school, or worship in Idaho County or Lewis County.

The credit union operates branches in Cottonwood, Craigmont, Nezperce, Kooskia, Grangeville, and Riggins.

This check-free and overdraft-free account provides peace of mind with no surprise fees. Clients have access to a Mastercard® debit card, online banking, mobile banking, and free electronic statements.

There is a $5 monthly service charge that cannot be waived. Overdraft protection options and checks are unavailable with this account.

First Interstate Bank has branches in several cities, including Boise, Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, Eagle, Emmett, Fruitland, Garden City, Hayden, Kuna, and Meridian, with additional locations in other cities in Idaho.

Each account requires a $25 minimum deposit, except for Explore Youth Checking, which only requires $10 to open. There are no monthly service charges for any of these accounts.

Features include online and mobile banking, a free Visa debit card, and access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP network.

Horizon Credit Union membership is available to anyone who lives, works, or worships in Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, Shoshone, Latah, Nez Perce, or Lewis counties in Idaho.

The credit union has branches throughout the state, including in Boise, Nampa, and Coeur d’Alene.

Central Plus Checking has a $7 fee and provides early direct deposits, free credit reports, and added security features.

Central Checking is a no-fee account with a Visa debit card, mobile banking, and early direct deposit access.

Starter Checking, tailored for teens, offers parent transfers and rewards for good grades, with no fees or balance requirements.

ICCU’s app includes credit score access, nationwide ATM use, and Zelle for transfers.

They have branches in Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Caldwell, Chubbuck, Coeur d’Alene, Eagle, Hayden, Idaho Falls, Jerome, Kuna, Meridian, Nampa, Pierce, Pocatello, Post Falls, Rexburg, and Twin Falls.

This second chance account comes with an $8 monthly fee, which is waived if you maintain an average daily balance of $100.

There’s no ongoing minimum balance requirement beyond the $25 needed to open the account.

You also get unlimited debit card transactions. However, if you want to use online bill pay, there’s an additional charge of $6.45 per month.

Membership eligibility includes living, working, worshiping, or attending school in Latah, Benewah, Kootenai, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone, Nez Perce, or Lewis County.

Latah Federal Credit Union has locations in Moscow, Potlatch, Kendrick, and Plummer, Idaho.

To open a checking account, there’s a minimum opening deposit of $50.

The options include Totally Free Checking, Easy Interest, 50+ Interest Checking, and Premier Interest Checking. Each account provides features such as free online and mobile banking, bill pay, a Visa debit card, and remote deposit.

Mountain West Bank has locations in Ketchum, Hailey, Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, Sandpoint, Ponderay, and Bonners Ferry.

If you don’t have any open collections on your credit report (besides medical or utilities) you could potentially qualify even with a lower credit score.

All checking accounts come with a monthly $1.99 fee. With Preferred Checking, you don’t have to worry about a minimum account balance.

Pioneer Federal has branch locations in Mountain Home, Glenns Ferry, Gooding, Boise, Meridian, Jerome, Nampa, Hailey, Twin Falls, Middleton, or Caldwell.

With a $25 opening deposit and a $4 monthly fee, it includes key features like mobile banking and no overdraft fees.

After maintaining a positive account history, you may qualify for an upgrade to a traditional checking account.

Branches are available in several cities across Idaho, including Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Idaho Falls, Meridian, Nampa, Pocatello, Rexburg, Twin Falls, and more.