Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Minnesota

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 is 100% free and has no monthly fees:

• no monthly maintenance fees
• no foreign transaction fees
• no minimum balance fees

You can also start building your credit with the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. It’s a secured credit card with no annual fees, no credit checks, and no interest charges.

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.

You can see why Chime is our #1 choice.

Features & Benefits

• No credit check or ChexSystems
• No minimum balance or hidden 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

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.

Features & Benefits

• No minimum balance requirement
• No monthly fees
• No overdraft fees
• Visa debit card, iOS and Android mobile app
• Up to 2% cash back

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 up to 2% cash back on everyday debit card purchases.

Upgrade reimburses up to five out-of-network ATM fees per month if you meet certain conditions.

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.

You may be able to get a checking account with American Federal Bank because they reportedly run a credit check rather than a ChexSystems review.

Their American Free account is truly free with no monthly service fee or minimum balance requirement. However, you’ll need to make a relatively steep opening deposit of $100. Unlimited check writing comes with this account, as does either a cash card or ATM card.

American Federal Bank has locations in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Their Minnesota branch and ATM locations include Ada, Crookston, East Grand Forks, Fergus Falls, Fosston, Hallock, Moorhead, and Warren.

Aspiration’s Spend & Save Account is a hybrid checking and savings account that is entirely online. There’s a $10 minimum opening deposit to get started.

With an Aspiration debit card, you get unlimited fee-free withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs and one out-of-network ATM reimbursement per month. You can also get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

You can earn up to 5.00% APY when you spend $1,000/month and deposits are FDIC insured.

Axos Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems or pull your credit report.

The Rewards Checking account from Axos Bank has no monthly maintenance fees, unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements, and it comes with cash back rewards.

You get unlimited free mobile deposits and your funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000. Plus, there are no overdraft fees or non-sufficient fund fees.

There are no minimum balance requirements, and you’ll only need a $50 deposit to open the account.

Instead of ChexSystems, Gate City Bank uses Choice Point to verify your identity. Checking account options include Totally FREE Checking, Benefit Interest Checking, 50+ FREE Checking, VIP FREE Interest Checking, and Premium Interest Checking.

Totally FREE Checking is the easiest to qualify for, regardless of age. As its name implies, this account has no monthly fee or balance requirement. However, you do need to open the account with $50 or more.

You’ll instantly receive your free ATM and check card, plus you get free access to online and mobile banking, include remote check deposit. There’s also a free money management tool you can use.

A final perk is that you’ll receive a “Thank You” gift for opening a new account, and also up to $25 when you bring in your check cards and unused checks from another bank or credit union. Gate City Bank has locations throughout West Central Minnesota.

The Credit Builder Checking account from Marine is a flexible second chance account in Minnesota. The monthly fee is a mere $5 and there’s no minimum balance needed.

To open the account, you must first become a member of the credit union and deposit $5 into your Regular Savings account. Then you must deposit $50 into your Credit Builder Checking account and sign up for direct deposit.

You can upgrade to a different account after keeping your account in good standing for 12 months.

With the Credit Builder Checking account, you get a free debit card plus your first box of checks for free. There’s no per check fee and you also get the usual benefits like online banking, e-alerts, and bill pay.

Minnesota branches are located in Rushford and Winona.

You can get a Second Chance Checking account directly through Minnesota Valley Federal. You do need to maintain a minimum balance of $100; otherwise, you’ll be charged a $2 monthly fee.

You can also get overdraft protection from your savings account. Other than those requirements, you get the same perks as any other checking account at Minnesota Valley FCU.

To become a member, you must live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in Blue Earth, Nicollet, or Le Sueur counties. There are two branches located in Mankato, one uptown and one downtown office.

United Savings reportedly uses a credit check instead of ChexSystems. In addition to their Basic Checking account, there’s also Advantage Checking, and Cha Ching Checking (which is interest-bearing).

Both Basic and Advantage Checking include no required minimum balance and unlimited check writing. The only difference is that Advantage Checking includes identity theft protection services.

To become a member of United Savings, you must live within a 75-mile radius of their home office in Fargo, North Dakota. They have a Minnesota location in Dilworth.

Despite the name, Westconsin services the following Minnesota counties: Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Isanti, Ramsey, Wabasha, and Washington.

Apply for their Foundations Checking account, which is more lenient for approvals but does come with some restrictions.

There’s an $8 monthly fee and you get a debit card, but no checks issued with the account. On the plus side, there’s no required minimum balance and no per item charges.

To find a Westconsin branch, you will have to cross the border into Wisconsin if you ever need in-person assistance.