Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Iowa

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 lets you open a mobile bank account without ChexSystems checks or credit pulls. It’s built for speed, flexibility, and getting your finances back on track.

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.

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.

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 overdraft 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 4.02% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

You’ll get access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint network, including Walgreens and CVS locations. Plus, checking account customers can qualify for up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

The minimum balance for an account is $5 and comes with online and mobile banking. To apply for an account, you must first be a member.

There are a couple of different ways to qualify for membership. The first is to live or work in Polk, Boone, Story, Marshall, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Warren, Marion, Adams, Union, Page, Taylor, and Ringgold counties.

Alternatively, you can be an employee of one of their Select Employee Groups. Affinity has two branches in Des Moines, Iowa.

After maintaining the account in good standing for 12 months, you become eligible to transfer to a standard checking account.

The Take2 account comes with essential modern banking features like free mobile banking and remote mobile deposit.

Membership is available to those who work or live in specific Iowa counties, or have a family member already enrolled. You can also qualify if you are employed by a select employee group.

CCCU operates branches in several Iowa cities, including Cedar Rapids, Johnston, Asbury, Clive, Dubuque, Des Moines, North Liberty, Marion, Iowa City, and Cedar Falls.

The bank offers five different types of checking accounts: Totally Free Checking, Incentive Checking, High Interest Checking, 50+ Checking, and Interest Checking.

Totally Free Checking requires just a $25 deposit to open and has no monthly fees or balance requirements.

All accounts come with various perks, including a free box of checks, a debit card, online and mobile banking, bill pay, eStatements, and a complimentary “Thank You” gift.

Dewitt Bank and Trust has locations in DeWitt and Wilton, Iowa.

Cash Rewards Checking, Free Checking with eStatements, Signature Series Checking, and Money Manager 5000.

The Free Checking account only requires a $25 opening deposit and has no monthly fees if you opt for eStatements instead of paper statements.

Dubuque Bank & Trust has multiple locations, including in Dubuque, Clive, and Farley, Iowa.

They offer a range of accounts, including checking, savings, and money market accounts. The free checking account requires an initial deposit of $50, with no monthly fees or limitations on check writing.

Additionally, Dupaco is part of the Co-Op Shared Branch network, giving members access to over 5,000 locations nationwide for free account access.

Dupaco operates 16 locations throughout Iowa, including branches in Asbury, Carroll, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Dyersville, Manchester, Marion, Peosta, and Waterloo.

The bank offers various checking account options with features like free eStatements, check images, and online/mobile access.

The Express Checking account requires a $100 opening deposit, with a $5 monthly fee that is waived if the account balance remains at or above $100. Unlimited debit card transactions are allowed, with a small $1 monthly fee.

Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank has branches in Iowa City, Lone Tree, Nichols, and Riverside, Iowa.

If the credit report has limited negative entries, you are likely to be approved for an account.

The bank offers three types of checking accounts: Everyday, Campus, and Investor. The Everyday Checking account requires a $100 opening deposit and a minimum balance of $750 to avoid a $4 monthly fee if the balance falls below that amount.

Farmers Bank is located in Spencer, Iowa.

The bank offers three types of checking accounts: Ultimate Checking, Green Checking, and Loyalty Checking.

The Ultimate Checking account has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service fee. It also includes free eStatements and free online access.

Farmers State Bank has locations in Cedar Falls, Dunkerton, Gilbertville, Independence, Jesup, La Porte City, Waterloo, and Waverly, Iowa.

Instead, they run a credit report check on all new accounts.

If the credit score is too low, you can open a Fresh Start Checking account, which is a type of second chance checking account. It comes with a $250 opening deposit requirement as well as a $6 monthly service fee.

Federation Bank has locations in Washington, Brighton, Richland, and Wellman.

Once approved, you can select from several checking account options.

Their free checking account does not have a monthly fee or minimum balance requirement, and it includes unlimited check writing. The only requirement is a $100 opening deposit.

First Trust and Savings Bank has locations in Oxford and Coralville, Iowa.

This account has no opening deposit requirement and includes a $5 monthly fee.

Membership is available to individuals who live or work in one of the 33 counties within the field of membership.

Immediate family members of current members and employees of participating employer groups are also eligible for membership.

You can find Greater Iowa Credit Union branches in cities such as Ames, Des Moines, Denison, Indianola, and Waukee.

Instead, they run a credit report, with a minimum credit score requirement of 580 for approval.

The bank offers eight unique checking accounts, including a free checking option that doesn’t require an opening deposit, has no monthly fees, and allows unlimited debit card transactions. This account also includes access to online and mobile banking.

Hills Bank and Trust Company has branches located in Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa.

Instead, it pulls a standard credit report during the approval process. If you’re only opening a savings account, no screening is required.

The bank offers several checking account options, many of which come with no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements. All accounts include free online and mobile banking, bill pay, and eStatements.

Home State Bank is based in Jefferson, Iowa, and serves the local community with a full range of personal and business banking services.

However, they do conduct a credit check and require two forms of ID, one of which must be government-issued.

The bank offers four types of checking accounts—Premier, Value, Rewards, and To Go Checking.

The Rewards Checking account has no minimum balance requirement and includes free online bill pay and eStatements. However, a $5 monthly fee applies if the debit card isn’t used at least 10 times per month.

Iowa Falls State Bank serves its customers through branches located in Iowa Falls and Williams.

They offer a range of checking accounts, including Free Kasasa Cash Back, Free Kasasa Cash, Silver Advantage Account, ISB Interest Bearing Account, Regular Checking, and Free Checking.

Both Free and Regular Checking accounts require a $100 opening deposit. Free Checking has no monthly fees, while Regular Checking charges a $1 monthly fee and $0.10 per debit card use.

Iowa State Bank and Trust operates in Fairfield, Iowa, with two branch locations and four ATMs.

The bank offers various checking accounts for its customers, but their most popular checking account is Economy Checking.

The account only requires an opening deposit of $100, but doesn’t come with a minimum balance requirement. If you want paper statements, there’s a $3.00 monthly charge, but other than this charge (which is easy to avoid), there aren’t any monthly service fees.

You’ll find locations in Center Point, Keystone, Marengo, Pleasant Hill, and Victor.

The account includes features like free overdraft protection, no monthly fees, and access to over 70,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

Members also enjoy online and mobile banking, a debit card for easy access to funds, and the convenience of direct deposit.

Marine Credit Union has branch locations in Davenport, Decorah, and West Des Moines.

They offer four types of checking accounts: GoPlus Checking, Go Checking, GoEasy Checking, and GoSmart Checking.

GoEasy Checking requires an opening deposit of $100, but doesn’t have any monthly service fees or balance requirements.

It comes with free online and mobile banking, remote mobile deposit, bill pay, as well as a debit card.

MBT Bank has locations in Clear Lake, Crystal Lake, Forest City, and Lake Mills.

Checking accounts with Midland are free, and you can earn monthly dividends on balances greater than $500.

To join you must either live or work in Story, Jasper, Marion, Warren, Madison, Dallas, or Boone County.

You may also join if you have an immediate family member who is already a member, or if you work with a participating employer group.

You can find Midland locations in Urbandale and Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

They provide various checking account options, such as the Share Draft account, which has no balance requirement but includes a $3.21 monthly service fee.

For those seeking a fee-free option, the Minimum Balance Share Draft account is available, though it requires maintaining a $300 balance.

To become a member, you must live or work in one of the eligible counties, which include Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickenson, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sac, Sioux, or Woodbury.

North Star Community Credit Union operates in Cherokee, Ida Grove, and Sheldon, Iowa.

The bank offers various checking account options, including Rewards Checking, which has a $5 monthly fee but no minimum balance requirement.

This account provides online and mobile banking, free bill pay, and free eStatements. Additionally, it includes identity protection, discounts at local retailers, roadside assistance, and cell phone protection.

Peoples Trust and Savings Bank has branches in Adel, Clive, Grand Junction, Guthrie Center, Jefferson, Ogden, Rippey, Scranton, and Waukee.

The credit union offers various checking account options, including Smart Checking, which has no monthly service fees or balance requirements and comes with modern banking tools such as online banking, bill pay, and mobile deposit.

Membership is open to immediate family members of current members and individuals who live or work within 30 miles of a branch location.

R.I.A. Federal has branch locations in Bettendorf, Davenport, and Wilton, Iowa, as well as other areas in Illinois and Wisconsin, including Rock Island, Moline, Milan, and Silvis.

While they run credit reports for standard checking accounts, no screening is done if you are only interested in opening a savings account.

The credit union offers one personal checking account, known as a Share Draft account, which features no monthly fees or balance requirements. Additionally, it includes a free debit card for convenient access.

River Community is located in Ottumwa, Iowa.