Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Maryland

Struggling to open a checking account in Maryland 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 Maryland

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

SoFi

Our Top 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

Our Second Pick

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.

Central Credit Union of Maryland

CCU of Maryland offers members Renew Checking, which is specifically designed for those who have had already had trouble opening a checking account. You could potentially qualify for the account even if you have a ChexSystems record.

To open the account, you must sign up for direct deposit and there’s a monthly fee. After you’ve responsibly managed your account for 12 months, you can upgrade to free Central Checking.

To qualify for membership, you must be an employee of an affiliated business. There are two branch locations, one in Baltimore and one in Perry Point.

Clear Mountain Bank

StartFresh Banking from Clear Mountain Bank is another way to get a checking account despite your financial past. There are two options to choose from: StartFresh First Step and StartFresh Checking.

First Step doesn’t allow check writing, but it does come with a debit card. There’s a $9.95 monthly fee, which is reduced to $6.95 if you sign up for direct deposit.

The minimum opening deposit is $50. There is no minimum balance requirement. After 12 months in good standing, you can apply for StartFresh Checking.

This account is similar to First Step, but you also get unlimited check writing. After 18 months of successfully managing this account, you can apply for a traditional account. The bank is headquartered in West Virginia, but has a Maryland branch in Oakland.

Greenbelt Federal Credit Union

Greenbelt Federal is a non-ChexSystems Bank that instead uses Telecheck. They’re located in Greenbelt, Maryland and to qualify for membership you must live, work, worship, or attend school there.

For checking, Greenbelt FCU offers a convenience share draft checking account that doesn’t require a minimum balance. You’ll also need a share savings account, which does come with a minimum balance requirement of $25.

Security Plus Federal Credit Union

Security Plus Federal offers second chance checking called Revive Checking. The monthly fee is $5, but that can be waived entirely as long as you receive at least one electronic ACH deposit into the account each month.

To open the account, you’ll need to make a deposit of at least $25. You’ll receive a Visa debit card 30 days after you open your account, plus you’ll get your first order of checks for free. Revive Checking comes with online and mobile banking features.

Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the city of Baltimore. You can also be an employee of a select employer or be a family member of an existing SPFCU member. Branches are located in Baltimore and Owings Mill.

Tower Federal Credit Union

Tower Federal Credit Union is the largest federal credit union in Maryland. They serve DOD employees, contractors, and their families.

TFCU offers a free checking account with no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement. Plus, account holders can use up to 30,000+ unlimited fee-free ATMs.

TFCU has locations in Annapolis, Annapolis Junction, Columbia, Ellicott City, Gambrills, Hanover, Laurel, Millersville, Owing Mills, and Pasadena.

United Bank

United Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems or a credit report to approve applicants. They offer three different checking accounts: United Free Checking, Platinum Checking, or United Rewards Checking.

United Free Checking has no minimum balance requirement and doesn’t charge a monthly fee. You will need a $50 deposit to open your account.

Woodforest National Bank

Woodforest offers a second chance bank account to members at over 700 branches in 17 states.

The minimum opening deposit is just $25 and you’ll also have to pay a one-time setup fee of $9.

It also comes with a monthly fee of $11.95. You can get it reduced to $9.95 by enrolling in direct deposit. Another small fee is a paper statement fee of $3 per month. It can be waived completely by signing up for e-statements.

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.