Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Iowa

Opening a checking account in Iowa isn’t always easy if ChexSystems has you flagged. Most traditional banks still use it to screen applicants for past banking trouble.

But not all do. There are second chance banks in Iowa that give you another shot, plus a few that skip ChexSystems entirely—so you can get back to everyday banking without the stress.

22 Banks in Iowa That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Iowa 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.

Dewitt Bank and Trust

Dewitt Bank and Trust screens new applicants by running a credit report instead of using ChexSystems.

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.

Dubuque Bank & Trust

Dubuque Bank & Trust does not use ChexSystems and offers four types of personal checking accounts:

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.

Dupaco Credit Union

Dupaco Credit Union does not use ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS, but it does check credit reports if you want to obtain an ATM or debit card.

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.

Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank

Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank is a non-ChexSystems bank. Instead of using ChexSystems, it requires two forms of identification and runs a credit report to approve new applicants.

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.

Farmers Bank

Farmers Bank does not rely on ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS to screen new applications. Instead, they only require two forms of ID and conduct a credit report check.

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.

Farmers State Bank

Farmers State Bank uses an Equifax credit report instead of ChexSystems for new applications, requiring a credit score of at least 600 for approval.

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.

Federation Bank

Federation Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems when screening new applications.

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.

First Trust and Savings Bank

First Trust and Savings Bank conducts a credit report check for new account applications rather than using ChexSystems.

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.

Hills Bank and Trust Company

Hills Bank and Trust Company does not use ChexSystems to review new applications.

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.

Home State Bank

Home State Bank does not use ChexSystems to review new account applications.

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.

Iowa Falls State Bank

Iowa Falls State Bank doesn’t rely on ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS when evaluating new account applications.

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.

Iowa State Bank

Iowa State Bank and Trust runs a credit report check when opening checking or savings accounts, but does not use ChexSystems at any point during the application process.

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.

Keystone Savings Bank

Keystone Savings Bank is a non-ChexSystems bank. To screen new applications, it uses Telecheck instead, and if you want a debit card they’ll also run a credit report.

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.

MBT Bank

MBT Bank runs an Equifax credit report on new applications in lieu of ChexSystems.

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.

Midland Credit Union

Midland Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems when screening new applications. Instead, they run a credit report. As long as the report doesn’t show too many negative entries, you should be able to open an account.

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.

North Star Community Credit Union

North Star Community Credit Union does not use ChexSystems for screening new applicants.

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.

Peoples Trust and Savings Bank

Peoples Trust and Savings Bank does not use ChexSystems to screen new applications, relying solely on credit reports instead.

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.

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS but does run credit reports for new applications.

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.

River Community Credit Union

River Community Credit Union does not use ChexSystems to screen new applications.

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.