Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Illinois

If you’ve been denied a checking account in Illinois, ChexSystems could be the culprit. This nationwide database tracks your banking missteps and can block you from opening new accounts.

But you’re not stuck. Several second chance banks in Illinois—and a few that skip ChexSystems altogether—can help you get back to managing your money the way you want.

13 Banks in Illinois That Don’t Use ChexSystems

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

Current

Our Top Pick

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.

SoFi

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.80% 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 3.80% 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 $300 when you set up qualifying direct deposits.

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 60,000 fee-free1 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 60,0001 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit7 with the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card—no annual fees, interest charges1, or credit pull required.

Direct deposit users can get paid up to two days early2, and cash deposits are free at over 8,500 Walgreens locations.

Advantage One Credit Union

Advantage One Credit Union uses credit reports instead of ChexSystems when screening new account applications. Once approved, members need to make a one-time deposit of $25.

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.

Archer Heights Credit Union

Archer Heights Credit Union relies on credit reports instead of ChexSystems to screen new applications.

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.

Central Federal Savings and Loan Association

Central Federal uses Telecheck to screen new applications rather than ChexSystems.

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.

Chester National Bank

Chester National Bank uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems to review new applications.

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.

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank offers several checking accounts like Momentum Checking, Preferred Checking, and Express Checking, as well as student and military checking accounts.

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.

First Savings Bank of Hegewisch

You can get a checking account at First Savings Bank of Hegewisch as long as there aren’t any reports of fraud on your ChexSystems report, and you don’t owe them any money.

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.

GN Bank

GN Bank, formerly Illinois Service Federal, allows anyone to open an account if there’s no fraud history and no outstanding debt to GN.

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.

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union uses a credit report for screening new account applications instead of relying on ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS.

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.

South Central Bank

South Central Credit Union has five branches in Chicago and does not use ChexSystems when evaluating new applications. Instead, they review an applicant’s credit report.

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.

U.S. Employees Credit Union

U.S. Employees Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems to review new applications.

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.