Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Maine

Struggling to open a checking account in Maine 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 Maine

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

Upgrade

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Up to 4.14% APY on savings
  • Up to 2% cash back
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • No monthly fees or overdraft fees

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 ATM 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 4.14% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

Upgrade is partnered with Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and your funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. With an Upgrade checking account, you can also get up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

SoFi

Our Second Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 4.00% 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 can earn up to 4.00% 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

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.

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.

First Tech Federal Credit Union

Features & Benefits

  • Up to $300 sign-up bonus with direct deposit
  • Earn up to 3.50% APY
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • Over 30,000 fee-free ATMs

First Tech Federal Credit Union offers an attractive banking solution that goes beyond traditional constraints, providing members with a combination of high-yield interest and multiple financial incentives across its platforms.

With the First Tech Rewards Checking & Savings accounts, there are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees.

These accounts offer competitive interest rates, with the potential to earn up to 3.50% APY on both checking and savings accounts, depending on the balance—significantly higher than many conventional banks.

Additionally, First Tech offers extensive accessibility with over 30,000 CO-OP network ATMs nationwide for fee-free withdrawals.

The credit union also ensures enhanced financial security and flexibility with features like real-time fraud monitoring and free overdraft transfers.

Cumberland County Federal Credit Union

Cumberland County Federal Credit Union (CCFCU) offers the Fresh Start Checking account, designed to help individuals rebuild their financial records.

If you’ve had an overdrawn account closed and appear on national lists that other institutions use, this account provides a second chance. The account has a low monthly fee of $5.

CCFCU has locations in several Maine cities, including Gray, Portland, Westbrook, Windham, Yarmouth, and Falmouth.

Eastmill Federal Credit Union

Eastmill Federal doesn’t use ChexSystems and only requires valid ID to open an account. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly service fees.

Members can link their savings to their checking account for optional overdraft protection.

To be eligible, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Penobscot County or Southern and Central Aroostook County. Relatives of current members can also join. A $25 deposit into a share savings account is required for all new members.

Eastmill Federal has branch offices in East Millinocket and Patten, Maine.

Five County Credit Union

You may qualify for Second Chance Checking at Five County Credit Union if your past banking issues are minor. This account has a $5 monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.

With the account, you’ll receive a free Visa debit card with a daily limit of $2,500. Bill pay requires a small fee, and this account is not eligible for shared branching.

Membership is available to those who live, work, or worship in Maine’s Androscoggin, Cumberland, Lincoln, Kennebec, Knox, Sagadahoc, Somerset, or Waldo Counties, or those employed by Bath Iron Works. Relatives of current members can also apply.

Five County has branches in Auburn, Augusta, Bath, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Lewiston, Lisbon, Portland, Rockland, Scarborough, Skowhegan, Topsham, Waterville, Windham, and Yarmouth.

Midcoast Federal Credit Union

Midcoast Federal offers Compass Checking for individuals looking to regain control of their finances. This account includes tools for money management, budgeting guides, and e-alerts to help keep you on track.

Compass Checking requires no minimum deposits, balance requirements, or monthly fees. You’ll also receive a free debit card and access to Midcoast Federal’s e-services.

To open an account, you must become a member by providing a government-issued ID and a Social Security number or individual tax identification number.

Membership is available to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Sagadahoc, Lincoln, and Knox Counties, as well as select communities within Androscoggin and Cumberland Counties.

Midcoast Federal has branches in Bath, Brunswick, Edgecomb, Freeport, and Thomaston, Maine.

New Dimension Federal Credit Union

New Dimension Federal Credit Union may approve you for a checking account if your ChexSystems record shows only minor issues.

Their Regular Checking account is free, with no minimum balance requirement or per-check fees. Members receive a free Visa debit card and have access to online and mobile banking.

To join New Dimension Federal Credit Union, you must have a connection to either Kennebec or Somerset County. To get started, you’ll need to open a savings account with a $25 deposit.

New Dimension Federal has locations in Waterville, Winslow, and Skowhegan, Maine.

Saco Valley Credit Union

Saco Valley Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems. They approve checking accounts with just a valid photo ID.

Their checking account has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service fee. Members receive a debit card, unlimited check writing, and access to mobile and online banking.

To become a member, you must live, work, attend school, or worship in Cumberland or York County, Maine. You can apply in person at their branches in Saco and Waterboro.

TD Bank

TD Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems, making it a viable option for those with a troubled banking history.

They offer several checking account options in Maine, such as TD Complete Checking, TD Beyond Checking, and TD Essential Banking.

  • TD Complete Checking has a $15 monthly fee that can be waived through direct deposits or other qualifying activities.
  • TD Beyond Checking provides interest and no ATM fees with a $25 monthly fee, which can also be waived by maintaining a daily balance.
  • TD Essential Banking, a checkless account, comes with a $4.95 monthly fee and no minimum balance, perfect for straightforward banking needs.

TD Bank has branch locations in several cities in Maine, including Auburn, Bangor, Brunswick, Lewiston, Portland, Rockland, Saco, Sanford, South Portland, and Waterville, among others.

Town & Country Federal Credit Union

Town & Country Federal Credit Union checks your credit instead of using ChexSystems.

They offer several checking account options, with Better Checking being the most basic. This account has no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no specific deposit amount needed to open.

Before opening an account, you’ll need to become a member, which is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Cumberland or York County, Maine.

Town & Country has branches in Portland, Saco, Scarborough, and South Portland.