Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Idaho

Struggling to open a checking account in Idaho 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 Idaho

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Idaho banks and credit unions that allow anyone to open a checking account, regardless of their banking history.

U.S. Bank

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Up to $450 bonus
  • Minimum opening deposit of $25
  • Monthly service fee: $0 or $6.95
  • Over 40,000 surcharge-free MoneyPass ATMs

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

  • Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
  • Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 26, 2024. Member FDIC.
  • Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.

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.

Upgrade

Our Second Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Up to 5.21% 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 5.21% 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

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 4.60% 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 are entitled to an annual percentage yield (APY) of 4.60% on their savings and 0.50% 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
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • Earn up to 5.00% APY
  • 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. Members can take advantage of a $300 bonus simply by establishing a qualifying payroll direct deposit of $1,000 or more per month for three consecutive months.

These accounts offer competitive interest rates, with the potential to earn up to 5.00% 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, contributing to a comprehensive and secure banking experience.

Capital Educators Credit Union

CapEd doesn’t access ChexSystems, EWS, or Telecheck. However, they may run a credit report when reviewing your application.

There are a few different checking accounts available, each of which comes with a debit card, checks, overdraft protection, and courtesy pay.

Good For Me Checking comes with no monthly fees or required minimum balance. Plus, you can earn 2% cash back on your debit card purchases and receive ATM refunds of up to $25. Other standard perks include online banking and bill pay.

You can become a CapEd member by having a connection to the education system in one of the following counties: Ada, Adams, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, or Washington.

Alternatively, you can join the Idaho CapEd Foundation for a one-time fee of $20.

Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union

Cottonwood Community Federal utilizes your Equifax credit report rather than your ChexSystems record. If approved, you can get a share draft checking account, which includes a debit card and direct deposit.

To become a member, you must live, work, attend school, or worship in either Idaho County or Lewis County. Branches are located in Cottonwood, Craigmont, and Nezperce.

Horizon Credit Union

Horizon relies on a credit report, not ChexSystems for new account approvals. There are three account options: Explore Youth Checking, Replenish, and Bridge.

The Replenish Checking account requires a minimum opening balance of $25, but there’s no monthly service charge. All accounts come with Horizon’s Home Banking mobile app, online statements, and mobile check deposit.

Other helpful tools include MX (an online money management resource), Popmoney, and purchase rewards.

Membership to Horizon is open to anyone who resides, works, or worships within Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, Shoshone, Latah, Nez Perce, or Lewis County of Idaho.

Idaho Central Credit Union

Idaho Central will run a credit check instead of your ChexSystems record.

You can choose from one of five checking accounts available: Free Checking, Go Green Checking, Money Market Checking, Starter Checking, and Classic Checking.

The Free Checking account has no minimum balance or monthly fee. You can get an instant-issue Visa debit card and could even qualify for a Visa credit card if approved.

Other benefits include online and mobile banking, plus the CardControl app that helps you manage your spending.

Idaho Central has branches in the following cities:

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

Latah Federal Credit Union

Latah Federal offers a Second Chance Checking account to help get you back into affordable checking. The monthly fee is $8, but it’s waived completely if you maintain an average daily balance of $100 in your account.

Otherwise, there’s no minimum balance required besides a $25 opening deposit. Along with your debit card comes unlimited transactions. Digital banking is available, but you’ll have to pay $6.45 monthly to take advantage of online bill pay.

If you’re interested in this account and want to become a member of Latah Federal, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Latah, Benewah, Kootenai, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone, Nez Perce or Lewis County.

There are five branches located throughout northern Idaho.

Mountain West Bank

Mountain West Bank does not use ChexSystems, EWS, Telecheck, nor does it pull a credit report when reviewing applications.

To open a checking, you’ll need a minimum opening deposit of $50.

Mountain West Bank offers four types of checking accounts: Totally Free Checking, Easy Interest, 50+ Interest Checking, and Premier Interest Checking.

Each account comes with a host of free features, some of which include:

  • Free online banking
  • Free bill pay
  • Free mobile banking
  • Free remote deposit
  • Free Visa Debit Card
  • Free eStatements

Pioneer Federal Credit Union

Pioneer Federal will likely approve you for an account if you have a minimum credit score of 500. If you don’t have any open collections on your 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.