Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Illinois

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.

Membership is open to individuals living, working, worshiping, or attending school in Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, or Whiteside County.

Checking accounts come with a free Mastercard debit card, unlimited check writing, and 24/7 access to online banking.

Advantage One has one branch in Illinois, located in Morrison.

After making a $25 initial deposit, members can enjoy a checking account with no minimum balance requirement or service fees.

Benefits include unlimited check writing, direct deposit, and savings account overdraft protection.

Membership is available to those living or working in zip codes 60632, 60638, 60629, 60652, and 60501. Additionally, employees of Archer Heights SEG groups or family members of current members are also eligible. Archer Heights Credit Union has two locations in Chicago, Illinois.

With no minimum balance requirement, it provides free access to Banterra Digital Banking services, a Banterra Visa® Debit Card, and unlimited ATM/ITM transactions at Banterra machines, along with unlimited check writing.

Banterra Bank has branches in cities such as Carmi, Carbondale, Carterville, Christopher, Du Quoin, Harrisburg, Herrin, Marion, Mount Vernon, and West Frankfort, with additional branches serving other communities.

After 12 months of maintaining a positive balance, members can switch to a standard checking account.

Catholic and Community Credit Union has three locations in Illinois: two in Belleville and one in Shiloh.

It is also part of the Co-Op Shared Branch network, which allows members to access their accounts fee-free at participating credit unions nationwide.

They offer a range of checking accounts, starting with Totally Free Checking, which requires a $50 minimum deposit.

This account does not have a minimum balance requirement or service fees, and account holders can write unlimited checks and use their debit card for purchases both online and in-store.

Other options include Basic Checking with Interest, which requires a $200 minimum deposit; Super Checking with Interest, which requires $2,500; and Preferred Checking with Interest, which requires $5,000.

Central Federal serves the areas of Cicero, Berwyn, and La Grange Park.

It offers four different checking accounts, with Regular Checking being one of the main options.

This account requires a minimum deposit of $50 to open and must maintain a balance of at least $500 to avoid a $5 monthly fee. However, the fee is waived if the account holder has a savings account with a minimum of $1,000.

Chester National Bank has four locations, serving Chester, Sparta (at West Broadway and Northtown Shopping Center), and Perryville.

With no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, this account provides an opportunity to rebuild your financial standing.

After successfully maintaining the account for 12 months, you can upgrade to either Free Checking or High Yield Checking, allowing for more flexibility.

Additional benefits include a Visa debit card, direct deposit with early pay, mobile banking, and online bill pay. You can also access CU1’s Financial Wellbeing platform, offering personalized financial education and budgeting tools.

Credit Union 1 has branches in several Illinois cities, including Chicago, Evergreen Park, Lombard, Matteson, Northlake, Rantoul, Springfield, and Vernon Hills.

Many accounts may come with service fees, but Momentum Checking is a free option with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement.

It also has features like unlimited check writing and Fifth Third Extra Time for avoiding overdraft fees.

Fifth Third operates 131 branches across Illinois, with locations in major cities like Aurora, Berwyn, Bolingbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Elgin, Evanston, Joliet, Naperville, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Rockford, Schaumburg, Skokie, and Waukegan.

Members receive a free Mastercard debit card, online and mobile banking, phone banking, and unlimited check writing.

Additionally, account holders have access to over 64,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the Allpoint ATM network. There’s no minimum balance requirement, but the account comes with a $9.95 monthly fee.

First American Bank operates over 40 branches in Illinois, including key cities like Aurora, Bolingbrook, Chicago, Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Naperville, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and Skokie.

They offer a few different checking options to their members: Totally Free Checking, Free Checking Plus Interest, Senior Checking, 1st Checking, and E-Account.

Both checking accounts are completely free, don’t require a minimum account balance, and only require a deposit of $10 to open.

Hegewisch has branch locations in Chicago, Calumet City, Frankfort, Homewood, Lansing, Lynwood, Oak Forest, and Tinley Park.

The account requires a $25 minimum deposit and comes with no monthly fees or balance requirements. It includes an instant-issue debit card for immediate access, as well as 24/7 access through mobile and online banking.

After maintaining a positive financial history, members may become eligible for GLCU’s interest-bearing Free Checking.

Great Lakes Credit Union has branch locations in cities such as Antioch, Bolingbrook, Country Club Hills, Crystal Lake, Gurnee, Naperville, North Chicago, Round Lake Beach, Waukegan, Woodstock, and Zion.

It offers several different personal checking options designed to meet your needs.

All accounts include 24/7 mobile and online access, remote deposit, online bill pay, free statements, and phone banking.

Debit cardholders can access over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

GN Bank has two locations on South King Drive in Chicago.

However, there’s no minimum balance requirement and each account comes with a free debit card and free money orders for the first 12 months.

After 12 months, account holders may be eligible to transfer to standard checking if their account always maintains a positive balance.

Marquette Bank has eleven branch locations throughout the southern Chicago area, which include Bridgeview, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, and Orland Park.

If the applicant’s credit report has minimal negative entries, they may be approved.

R.I.A. offers four types of checking accounts: Smart Checking, Basic Checking, Business Checking, and Perks Checking.

Basic Checking allows 40 free checks per month, requires no minimum balance, and comes with a free debit card, as well as online and phone banking at no additional cost.

All accounts require a $25 initial deposit to open. R.I.A. Federal Credit Union has branches located in Rock Island, Moline, Savanna, Milan, and Silvis.

To be considered, the credit report must have minimal negative entries, and the applicant needs a credit score of at least 620 for potential approval.

They offer three checking account options: Beyond Free Checking, Beyond Interest Checking, and I-Check Checking. Beyond Free Checking requires an initial deposit of $200, but has no monthly fees.

All accounts include a free debit card, free online banking, free bill pay, free check printing, and a complimentary safe deposit box, regardless of which option you choose.

It requires a $50 deposit to open and has a $7 monthly service fee.

Members benefit from free online and mobile banking, free bill pay, a free debit card, and access to over 5,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. Overdraft protection is also available.

After maintaining a positive balance for the first year, members may qualify to transfer to a standard checking account. Staley Credit Union has three branches located in Decatur.

Their checking accounts, also known as share accounts, come with various perks, including free bill pay, online and mobile banking, email alerts, and remote deposit.

Members also enjoy unlimited check writing and ATM withdrawals, plus five free withdrawals from non-USECU ATMs. There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

U.S. Employees Credit Union has branches in Hines and two locations in Chicago. Membership is open to employees and retirees of the U.S. Federal Government, as well as their immediate family members.

With 49 branch locations in Illinois, it provides a convenient option for those seeking to get back on track.

The account can be opened with a minimum deposit of $25 and includes a one-time setup fee of $9.

After opening, the account carries a monthly fee of $11.95, which can be reduced to $9.95 by enrolling in direct deposit. Additionally, users can avoid the $3 monthly paper statement fee by opting for e-statements.

In Illinois, Woodforest National Bank has branches in cities such as Aurora, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, and more.