Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Massachusetts

Have you tried to open a checking account in Massachusetts, but can’t get approved? It’s probably because you have a negative listing in ChexSystems. Most banks in Massachusetts use ChexSystems to review your banking history.

Fortunately, you still have options. There are several banks that don’t use ChexSystems during the application process, and others that offer second chance checking.

Non-ChexSystems & Second Chance Banks in Massachusetts

Take a look at this comprehensive list of banks and credit unions in Massachusetts that either don’t use ChexSystems, or offer second chance checking accounts.

Chase

Our Top Pick

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.

Axos Bank

Features & Benefits

  • $100 sign-up bonus
  • Earn up to 3.30% APY
  • No monthly maintenance fees or overdraft fees
  • Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
  • Get early direct deposits and tax refunds up to 2 days early

The Rewards Checking account from Axos Bank is an excellent choice for those looking for a bank account with no monthly maintenance fees, unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements, and cash back rewards.

With this account, you can earn up to 3.30% APY and enjoy up to a $100 welcome bonus. Additionally, you’ll have access to unlimited free mobile deposits and your funds will be FDIC insured up to $250,000.

There are no overdraft fees or non-sufficient fund fees to worry about, and no minimum balance requirements.

All you need is a $50 deposit to open the account, and Axos Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems or pull your credit report to open your account.

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 debit card, and a credit builder Visa® credit card, all with no credit check.

The Chime Checking Account has no monthly fees:

  • no monthly maintenance fees
  • no foreign transaction fees
  • no 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

  • No minimum balance or monthly fees
  • Fee-free overdraft up to $200 with Overdrive
  • 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.

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.

Alden Credit Union

No Boundaries Checking is a second chance checking account from Alden for people who want to rebuild their financial history. There are some restrictions, presumably with the type of record you have with ChexSystems.

If you’re approved, however, you’ll get an ATM card along with 50 free personalized checks. You can also use Alden’s online banking, bill pay, and notary service. It takes $10 to open your account and $7.50 for a monthly service fee.

There are two branch locations you can go to, one in Chicopee and one in Belchertown, Massachusetts.

To become a member, you simply need to live, work, worship, or attend school in Hampden and Hampshire Counties in Massachusetts. Alternatively, you can also qualify if a family member is a current member.

Athol Credit Union

For a simple checking account regardless of your past issues with insufficient funds at other financial institutions, try Athol’s Fresh Start Checking.

To get started, you’ll first need to become a member and deposit $25 into a savings account. You’ll also need to pay off any charged off accounts at other financial institutions.

Once you’ve completed these two steps, you can make your opening deposit of $25. The monthly fee is $9.95, which will be reduced to $7.95 if you sign up for direct deposit.

Membership to Athol CU is open to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Worcester County, Franklin County, or Hampshire County in Massachusetts.

Greylock Federal Credit Union

While Greylock Federal may utilize ChexSystems, they won’t pull a credit report unless you’re applying for a loan. The Free Checking option requires just $15 to open, then there’s no monthly fee.

There’s also no minimum balance necessary to maintain. You get a free Visa debit card, online and mobile banking, and remote deposit capture.

Greylock FCU has branch locations in Western Massachusetts. To join, you need to have some kind of connection. You must live or work in Berkshire County, Westfield, Southwick, Granville, Montgomery, or Russell Massachusetts; Columbia County, New York; Bennington County, Vermont.

North Easton Savings Bank

North Easton doesn’t use ChexSystems to screen applications so you have a better chance of qualifying. Check out the Totally FREE Checking, branded as a free account for everyone.

The opening deposit is a little above average at $50, but you don’t have to worry about any monthly fees. Plus, you get free access to the usual banking services, like direct deposit, bill pay, and mobile banking.

If you’re located in Southeastern Massachusetts, it’s definitely worth giving it a try.

Rollstone Bank and Trust

There’s no ChexSystems check or credit report check when you apply for an account with Rollstone Bank and Trust.

The Free Checking account comes with basic services with no monthly fee or monthly balance requirement. You do, however, have to add on extra services such as online banking, bill pay, and a debit card.

Rollstone Bank and Trust has several branch and mortgage center locations throughout North Central Massachusetts.

Washington Savings Bank

Washington Savings Bank offers the Online Rewards Checking account, which has less strict requirements for ChexSystems and no credit requirements whatsoever.

You can’t have any fraud or criminal activity in your banking history and former account charge-offs must be less than $2,000. You’re also required to have a direct deposit either from a payroll or government source.

The monthly fee for Online Rewards Checking is $9.95 and you can upgrade to a free checking account after a year of responsible account management.

Washington Savings Bank has branch locations in Dracut and Lowell, Massachusetts.

Webster Bank

Consider Opportunity Checking from Webster Bank for a second chance checking account in Massachusetts. The minimum opening deposit is $50 and the monthly fee is $16.95.

The fee can be reduced to $11.95 per month if you enroll in direct deposit. You’ll get a Visa debit card and no per check charge. Webster Bank also provides free online and mobile banking, plus balance alerts.

Webster Bank has locations around the Boston area, as well as Cambridge, Wellesley, Attleboro, Brockton, Lexington, Needham, Seekonk, New Bedford, Brookline, Taunton, Fall River, Mattapoisett, Somerset, Quincy, Stoughton, South Dartmouth, and Newton.

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. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.