Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Illinois

Struggling to open a checking account in Illinois 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 Illinois

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.

U.S. Bank

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Up to $400 bonus
  • Minimum opening deposit of $25
  • Monthly service fee: $0 or $6.95
  • Over 40,000 surcharge-free MoneyPass ATMs

The U.S. Bank Smartly® 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.

SoFi

Our Second Pick

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, and they can earn up to 15% cash back at local businesses when they make transactions with the SoFi debit card.

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.

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.

GO2bank

Features & Benefits

  • No ChexSystems or credit check
  • 4.50% APY on savings
  • Over 19,000 fee-free ATMs
  • $5 monthly fee can be waived

GO2bank is a neobank offered by Green Dot, a well-established financial technology company. Customers can open a checking account featuring subaccounts known as vaults without a minimum balance requirement.

GO2bank provides an attractive 4.50% APY on savings accounts for balances of up to $5,000. Access to funds is made easy through cash deposits at 90,000 retail locations and fee-free ATMs at 19,000 locations.

Additionally, customers can receive their pay up to 2 days in advance and government benefits up to 4 days early via direct deposit.

You can also opt for overdraft protection up to $200 with eligible direct deposits.

GO2bank offers the GO2bank Secured Visa Credit Card, which can assist customers in building their credit over time through responsible use.

The $5 monthly fee is waived when you receive payroll or government benefits through direct deposit.

Chase

Features & Benefits

  • $100 bonus after 10 purchases
  • No credit check or ChexSystems
  • Over 16,000+ fee-free ATMs
  • Over 4,700 branches nationwide
  • $4.95 monthly service fee

Chase offers a checking account called Chase Secure Banking. The account comes with a Chase debit card that gets you access to over 16,000 fee-free ATMs.

Some features of this checking account include free online bill pay, free money orders and cashier’s checks, no overdraft fees, and no minimum opening deposit. However, there is also a monthly service fee of $4.95.

When you open a Chase Secure Banking account and make 10 qualifying purchases within 60 days, you’ll get a $100 cash bonus.

Account approval is immediate, and the debit card typically arrives within days.

Advantage One Credit Union

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.

Archer Heights Credit Union

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

Catholic and Community offers a second chance checking account called Rebound Checking. It costs $7.50 a month. However, 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. It’s 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

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 number 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

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

Members of Corporate America Family Federal can apply for Fresh Start Checking. You’re required to keep $100 in your Regular Share Account and the monthly fee is $10.

You can also sign up to take an online class called Get In Balance. Use it to learn the most effective ways to become a successful account holder.

Fifth Third Bank

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

First American Bank has a second chance checking account 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 no minimum 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

First National Bank offers a second chance checking account called Renew Checking. It’s 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.

The checking account comes with a free Visa debit card. 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

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.

GenFed Financial Credit Union

GenFed Financial offers a second chance checking account called Clean Start Checking.

To be eligible, you can have no more than three records in ChexSystems with an outstanding total of less than $500.

There are no minimum balance requirements, and the monthly fee is $5. If you successfully manage your account for a year, you can bump up to GenFed’s Free Checking or Dividend Checking.

Great Lakes Credit Union

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

GN Bank, formerly 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

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’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 Orland Park, Oak Forest, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, and Bridgeview.

MidWest America Federal Credit Union

Midwest America Federal Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems when screening new applications.

It offers three types of checking accounts: Reward Checking, Benefits Plus Checking, and Freedom Checking.

The Freedom Checking account has no monthly service fee and no minimum balance requirement. It also offers overdraft protection options, and free online and mobile banking.

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union

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

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

Staley Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called Renew Checking. It’s designed for anyone looking to repair their checking history.

Renew Checking requires a $50 deposit to get started and there is a $7 monthly service fee.

Renew Checking comes with free online and mobile banking, free bill pay, a free debit card, and access to over 5,000 free nationwide ATMs. Overdraft protection options are also available to members.

Transferring to a standard checking account is possible if you maintain a positive balance in the account during the first year.

U.S. Employees Credit Union

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

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.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Chime generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

7. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.