Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Kentucky

In Kentucky, having a negative ChexSystems report can put the brakes on your ability to open a new bank account. Even a small issue from years ago can cause a denial.

But don’t give up—there are second chance banks in Kentucky and a handful of options that don’t use ChexSystems at all. These accounts can help you manage your money without the usual roadblocks.

12 Banks in Kentucky That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Kentucky 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.

Bank of Clarkson

Bank of Clarkson skips the typical ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS reports for new applicants and instead relies on a credit report.

They provide four different checking options: Better Than Free Checking, Regular Checking, Now Account, and VIP Club Checking.

With the Better Than Free account, a $50 minimum deposit is required, but there are no ongoing balance requirements or monthly fees.

Customers enjoy unlimited free check writing and can easily manage their accounts online or over the phone at no additional cost. Bank of Clarkson operates branches in Clarkson and Leitchfield.

Citizens Bank and Trust of Jackson

Citizens Bank and Trust of Jackson screens new applications using Telecheck instead of ChexSystems.

They offer various checking accounts, including Student, Elite, Regular, 55 Plus, Business, Nonprofit, and Now accounts.

The Regular Checking account includes free online banking and eStatements, with a $100 minimum opening deposit.

There’s a $7 monthly service fee, but it can be waived if your balance stays above $700 throughout the statement cycle.

Citizens Bank has two locations in Jackson and one in Beattyville, along with three ATM locations spread across both towns.

Community Trust Bank

Community Trust Bank screens new applications using Early Warning Systems (EWS) instead of ChexSystems.

They offer two checking accounts: Basic Checking with no monthly fee, and Advantage Checking, which has a $7 fee that can be waived with a $500 daily balance or $10,000 combined balance.

Both require a $100 deposit to open and offer unlimited transactions and access to a CTB ATM/Debit card.

Community Trust Bank has branches in several cities across Kentucky, including Ashland, Berea, Corbin, Danville, Elizabethtown, Florence, Frankfort, Georgetown, London, Richmond, Winchester, and Williamsburg.

First & People’s Bank and Trust Company

First & People’s Bank and Trust Company does not use ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS for screening. Instead, they rely on a credit report to evaluate new applications.

Customers can choose from three checking accounts: Hometown Living Checking, Hometown Loyalty Checking, and Hometown Legacy Checking.

The Hometown Living account has no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements. Customers can write three free checks per cycle, with a $1 fee for each additional check. Debit cards are available upon request, and eStatements are free, while paper statements cost $2 monthly.

First & People’s Bank and Trust has branches in Russell, Flatwoods, Greenup, and South Shore, Kentucky.

First State Bank

First State Bank uses a credit report to screen new applications instead of ChexSystems.

As long as the report doesn’t contain excessive negative entries, applicants may be approved for an account.

The bank offers five checking accounts. The Free n’ Easy account is free with debit card activity and eStatements, requiring just a $50 deposit to open. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance, and comes with free online and phone banking, plus a debit card.

First State Bank has branches in Hardinsburg, Irvington, and McDaniels, Kentucky.

First Southern National Bank

First Southern National Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS to screen new applications.

They simply require two forms of ID, one of which must be government-issued.

As long as applicants don’t owe money to First Southern, they may qualify for an account. Applications can be submitted online or at a local branch.

First Southern has branches across Kentucky in cities like Somerset, Nicholasville, Bethel, Bowling Green, Richmond, Stanford, Princeton, Wilmore, Russellville, Lancaster, Monticello, Central City, Lexington, Greenville, Bremen, and Wickliffe.

Forcht Bank

Forcht Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or even run a credit check for new applications.

As long as you don’t owe Forcht Bank and can provide two forms of ID, you may be eligible to open a checking account.

Their Easy Checking account requires a $50 deposit to open and a $100 minimum balance.

If the balance falls below $100, there’s a $6 monthly fee. Account holders receive free eStatements, as well as access to online and mobile banking.

Forcht Bank has branches in Barbourville, Burlington, Campbellsville, Corbin, Crittenden, Dry Ridge, Greensburg, Lexington, London, Louisville, Richmond, Somerset, and Williamsburg, Kentucky.

Republic Bank

Republic Bank offers Simple Access Checking, an affordable option with no overdraft fees.

It has no minimum balance, and any overdraft beyond the $100 protection limit is simply declined without fees.

The account also provides early access to direct deposits and federal tax refunds. The $4.95 monthly fee can be waived with a direct deposit, debit card transaction, or online bill pay each cycle.

With free online and mobile banking, Simple Access Checking also gives fee-free ATM access at over 90,000 ATMs via Republic Bank, Presto, SUM, MoneyPass, and Allpoint networks.

Republic Bank has branch locations in Louisville, Lexington, Shepherdsville, and Shelbyville.

Wilson and Muir Bank and Trust

Wilson and Muir Bank and Trust screens new applications with a credit report instead of ChexSystems. As long as the report shows minimal negative entries, applicants may be approved.

Their checking accounts come with free online banking, a Visa card, email statements, and online bill pay, with overdraft protection also available.

The Free & Easy Checking account requires a $100 opening deposit but has no monthly fees.

Wilson and Muir have branches in Bardstown, Bloomfield, Vine Grove, Elizabethtown, Leitchfield, Big Clifty, and Louisville.