The state of Illinois is best known for the huge metropolis of Chicago, but much of the land beyond the Windy City is rural. And just as the entire state is made of diverse towns and cities, the type of banking services people have access to are equally varied.
The unbanked population of Illinois is at 7.1%, close to the national average. The underbanked, however, is at 14.3%. A large percentage of residents clearly need alternative options when it comes to their banking needs.
For people with negative accounts listed in ChexSystems, it can be difficult to find a bank willing to work with them. However, there are some credit unions and banks in Illinois that don’t use ChexSystems and also some that offer second chance checking.
Non-ChexSystems & Second Chance Banks in Illinois
Here’s a complete listing of banks and credit unions in Illinois with one or more options available to consumers with a less than perfect banking history.
Chime
on Chime's secure website
With Chime, bad banking history is not an issue. They offer an award-winning financial app, a debit card, and a credit-builder Visa credit card, all with no credit check.
The Chime Spending Account is 100% free and has no monthly fees:
- no overdraft fees
- no monthly maintenance fees
- no foreign transaction fees
- no minimum balance fees
They’ll even spot you up to $200 on debit card purchases with no overdraft fees.
You can also start building your credit with the Chime Credit Builder Visa Credit Card. It’s a secured credit card with no annual fees, no credit checks, and no interest charges.
Chime has over 60,000 fee-free MoneyPass® and Visa® Plus Alliance ATMs. Plus, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit. You can also deposit cash for free at over 8,500 Walgreens.
You can see why Chime is our #1 choice.
Current
on Current's secure website
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.
A Current mobile banking account includes fee-free overdraft protection of up to $100. You 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.
Sable
on Sable's secure website
Sable allows you to open a bank account with a debit card and secured credit card in just 5 minutes.
There are no credit checks, no fees, and no minimum deposit required. You can also get an unsecured credit card in about 4 months after using your secured card. That’s 3x faster than what traditional banks offer.
The Sable credit card offers 2% cashback on your favorite brands.
To open a Sable account, you don’t need a social security number or U.S. credit history. You can also send money to 55+ countries and get multilingual customer support.
Advantage One Credit Union
on Advantage One's secure website
Advantage One uses credit reports instead of ChexSystems when screening new applications. Once approved, an initial one-time deposit of $25 is required. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, or Whiteside County.
Each checking account comes with a free Mastercard debit card, unlimited check writing (plus 50 free checks), and 24/7 access to free online banking. Advantage One is located on 204 North Jackson Street in Morrison County.
Archer Heights Credit Union
on Archer Heights CU's secure website
Instead of using a ChexSystems report, Archer Heights uses a credit report to screen new applications. Once a $25 initial deposit is made, the checking account does not have a minimum balance requirement or service fees.
Members can write an unlimited amount of checks, sign up for direct deposit, and use their savings account for overdraft protection.
Archer Heights is located at 6554 West Archer Avenue in Chicago. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in the following zip codes:
- 60632
- 60638
- 60629
- 60652
- 60501
Membership is also available to anyone who is an employee of one of Archer Heights SEG groups, or who has a family member that is already a member.
Catholic and Community Credit Union
on Catholic and Community CU's secure website
Catholic and Community offers a second chance checking account for applicants who need to rebuild and repair their checking history. Called Rebound Checking, it costs $7.50 a month, but members can switch to standard checking after 12 months if their account maintains a positive balance during the trial period.
Catholic and Community have three locations: two in Belleville and one in Shiloh. However, it is a member of the Co-Op Shared Branch network, which means members can access their account with zero fees at any participating credit unions across the nation.
Central Federal Savings and Loan Association
on Central Federal's secure website
Central Federal uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems to screen new applications. They currently offer the following checking accounts:
- Totally Free Checking: $50 minimum deposit
- Basic Checking with Interest: $200 minimum deposit
- Super Checking with Interest: $2,500 minimum deposit
- Preferred Checking with Interest: $5,000 minimum deposit
Totally Free Checking does not have a minimum account balance or service fees. Account holders can write an unlimited amount of checks, use Central Federal ATMs, and use their debit card both online and at stores. Central and Federal have locations in Cicero, Berwyn, and La Grange Park.
Chester National Bank
on Chester National Bank's secure website
Chester National Bank uses Telecheck in lieu of ChexSystems when reviewing new applications. It currently has four locations in the following areas: Chester, Sparta (West Broadway and Northtown Shopping Center) and Perryville.
Chester National has four checking accounts to choose from. Regular Checking requires a minimum of $50 to open the account. The account must maintain a minimum of $500 to avoid any monthly fees. If the account balance falls below the minimum amount, there’s a monthly fee of $5. The fee can also be waived if the account holder maintains a savings account with at least $1,000 in it.
Corporate America Family Federal Credit Union
on Corporate America Family FCU's secure website
Corporate America Family offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking. To open an account, applicants must first become a member. To do this, applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Be employed or retired from a CAFFCU sponsor group
- Be a member of The Hope Group
- Have a direct family member who is already a member
- Live within a 25 mile radius of a CAFCU branch
Additionally, Fresh Start account holders must maintain an account balance of $100 and pay a $10 monthly fee. CAFCU has locations in Mount Carmel, Oak Brook, Rosemont, Streamwood, Warrenville, Burbank, Chicago, Crystal Lake, and Elgin.
Fifth Third Bank
on Fifth Third's secure website
Anyone can open a checking account with Fifth Third Bank as long as they don’t have a history of fraud or owe Fifth Third any money. Fifth Third offers Essential Checking, Enhanced Checking, Preferred Checking, Student Banking, Military Checking, and Express Banking.
Most accounts have a monthly service fee, but Essential Checking has a variety of ways account holders can avoid the $11 monthly charge. These include:
- Maintaining a monthly account balance of $1,500 or more (can include savings)
- Spending at least $500 a month on the Fifth Third credit card
- Having a mortgage, car loan, or credit card with an outstanding balance
Fifth Third Bank currently has 131 branch locations in Illinois alone.
First American Bank
on First American Bank's secure website
First American Bank has a second chance checking option for applicants who need to repair their checking credit history. Called Fresh Start Checking, it requires a minimum deposit of $50 to open the account. With this account, members get a free Mastercard debit card, free online and mobile banking, free phone banking, and free unlimited check writing.
Members also get access to over 64,000, surcharge-free ATMs through the Allpoint ATM network. There is not a minimum account balance requirement, but there is a $9.95 monthly fee. First American Bank has numerous locations throughout Chicago and nearby areas.
First National Bank and Trust Company
on First National's secure website
First National Bank offers a second chance checking account called Renew Checking. Renew Checking is for people who have negative entries on their ChexSystems report, but who want to get back into good standing with the banking system. It requires a minimum deposit of $25 to open and has a one-time set-up fee of $15.
It comes with a free Visa debit card, and account holders can upgrade to standard checking after keeping their Renew account in good standing for 12 months. First National has branch locations in the following areas: Roscoe, Clinton, Winnebago, Rockton, and Forest Park.
First Savings Bank of Hegewisch
on First Savings Bank of Hegewisch's secure website
First Savings Bank of Hegewisch will open an account with anyone as long as there aren’t any reports of fraud on their ChexSystems report or if FSBH isn’t owed any money by the applicant. 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.
GenFed Financial Credit Union
on GenFed's secure website
GenFed offers second chance checking called Clean Start Checking. Designed for people with a ChexSystems record, Clean Start has a low monthly fee of $5.
In order to be eligible, applicants must not have more than three entries on their ChexSystems report, owe more than $500, and have any entries that are less than a year old. As long as they meet these criteria, applicants should be approved for an account.
Unlike other accounts, there is no minimum deposit to open a Clear Start account. Additionally, account holders can still access free online and mobile banking, use bill pay, take advantage of remote deposit, and gain access to a free debit card and 64,000 surcharge-free ATMs. GenFed has locations in Mt. Vernon and Centralia County.
Great Lakes Credit Union
on Great Lakes CU's secure website
After completing a Checking Account Management course online, applicants with a ChexSystems record are eligible to sign up for Great Lakes’ Fresh Start Checking.
Requiring a minimum initial deposit of $50, this second chance account helps members repair their checking history. It requires a monthly direct deposit of at least $250 and has a $10 monthly service fee.
Great Lakes has branch locations throughout Illinois, specifically in Antioch, Bolingbrook, Country Club Hills, Crystal Lake, Gurnee, Naperville, North Chicago, Round Lake Beach, Waukegan, Woodstock, and Zion.
GN Bank
on GN Bank's secure website
GN Bank, previously known as Illinois Service Federal, allows anyone to open an account as long there isn’t a history of fraud reported and they don’t owe any money to GN. GN has four accounts for members: Retail Checking, Renaissance Checking, Absolutely Free Checking, and Advanced Student Checking.
Absolutely Free Checking requires a $100 minimum initial deposit but doesn’t come with a debit card and must be operated entirely online or via the mobile app. Retail Checking also requires a $100 minimum deposit and has a $15 monthly fee if the owner doesn’t maintain a $100 balance.
Each account comes with 24/7 online and mobile access (which includes remote deposit), online bill pay, free-statements, and free phone banking. Additionally, debit cards gain account holders access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs throughout the nation. GN currently has two locations on South King Drive in the city of Chicago.
Marquette Bank
on Marquette Bank's secure website
Marquette Bank has a ReStart Checking account tailored for people who need to repair their ChexSystems history. There’s a $5 monthly fee and a $20 minimum opening deposit to get started. However, there isn’t a 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 Orland Park, Oak Forest, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, and Bridgeview.
MidWest America Federal Credit Union
on MidWest America FCU's secure website
MidWest America uses Telecheck in-lieu of ChexSystems, which is helpful for people turned away from banks because of a bad ChexSystems report. They offer a few different accounts for applicants to choose from Freedom Checking, Reward Checking, and Benefits Plus Checking.
Freedom Checking does not have a monthly fee if the account holder maintains a balance of $500 or more, or has at least five financial transactions a month. MidWest America has two different branch locations to choose from, with locations in Danville and Mattoon.
Prairieland Federal Credit Union
on Prairieland's secure website
Prairieland offers second chance checking for people who need to repair their checking history. It requires an initial deposit of $25. There are no service fees and no minimum account balance. It also comes with a host of benefits, some of which include:
- Free online and mobile banking
- Free online bill pay
- Free Visa debit card
- Surcharge-free ATMs
- Free monthly eStatements
- Free direct-deposit
Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Mclean County. Prairieland has branch locations in Normal and Bloomington.
R.I.A. Federal Credit Union
on R.I.A. FCU's secure website
Instead of running a ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS report, R.I.A. instead runs a credit report. As long as the applicant doesn’t have too many negative entries on his or her credit report, R.I.A. may approve the application.
They offer four types of accounts: Smart Checking, Basic Checking, Business Checking, and Perks Checking. Basic Checking allows account holders to write 40 free checks a month and doesn’t require a minimum balance. It also comes with a free banking card as well as free online and phone banking. An initial deposit of $25 is required for all applicants.
R.I.A. has locations in Rock Island, Moline, Savanna, Milan, and Silvis.
South Central Bank
on South Central Bank's secure website
South Central has five locations in Chicago and doesn’t run a ChexSystems report on applications. Instead, they run a credit report. As long as the report doesn’t have too many negative entries on it, and the applicant’s score is at least a 620, the application may be approved.
South Central offers three types of accounts: Beyond Free Checking, Beyond Interest Checking, and I-Check Checking. Beyond Free Checking requires an initial deposit of $200, but there are no monthly fees. Regardless of which account is chosen, each comes with a free debit card, free online banking, free bill pay, free check printing, and a free safe deposit box.
Staley Credit Union
on Staley's secure website
Staley offers second chance checking for applicants that have a negative banking history, called Renew Checking. There’s a $7 monthly fee and an initial deposit of $50 is required of all applicants. It comes with 24/7 online and mobile access, free bill pay, a free debit card, and access to over 5,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
To open an account with Staley, applicants must live or work in accepted participating counties. Staley currently has three locations in Decatur, Illinois.
Suburban Bank & Trust
on Suburban Bank & Trust's secure website
Suburban Bank & Trust offers Fresh Start checking for applicants that want to repair their relationship with ChexSystems. There’s a $7 monthly fee with Fresh Start, but it comes with a free debit card, free online and telephone banking, and free bill pay.
Members may be allowed to move to a standard banking account after maintaining a positive balance for six months. Suburban Bank & trust has one location in Illinois located on 150 East Butterfield Road in Elmhurst.
U.S. Employees Credit Union
on U.S. Employees CU's secure website
U.S. Employees uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems to screen new applications. A checking account, or share account, with U.S. Employees comes with many perks. Some of them include:
- Free bill-pay
- Free online and mobile banking
- Free email alerts
- Free remote deposit
- Unlimited check writing
- Unlimited ATM withdrawals
- 5 free ATM withdrawals from non-USECU ATMs
There is no monthly fee, nor is there an account minimum.
U.S. Employees CU has a location in Hines and two in Chicago. Membership is open to anyone who works or has retired from the U.S. Federal Government, or who has an immediate family member who is already a member.
Vantage Credit Union
on Vantage's secure website
Vantage has many locations throughout much of Illinois, and instead of using ChexSystems they use Telecheck. Additionally, they also require a credit score of at least 499.
Vantage offers two checking accounts: Vantage Basic Checking and Vantage Save.Think.Live. Checking. Neither requires a minimum deposit nor a minimum account balance.
Additionally, neither has a monthly fee and if the account has insufficient funds there is a $35 charge. But with the Save.Think.Live. Checking account, holders can request a refund on this fee once every six months.