Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Minnesota

Features & Benefits

• Up to $450 bonus
• Minimum opening deposit of $25
• Monthly service fee: $0 or $6.95
• Over 40,000 surcharge-free MoneyPass ATMs

Features & Benefits

• Up to 5.21% APY on savings
• Up to 2% cash back
• No minimum balance requirement
• No monthly fees or overdraft fees

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

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

Features & Benefits

• Over 14.5 million downloads
• No credit check or ChexSystems
• No minimum opening deposit
• Over 60,000 fee-free¹ ATMs

Features & Benefits

• Up to $300 sign-up bonus with direct deposit
• No minimum balance requirements
• Earn up to 5.00% APY
• Over 30,000 fee-free ATMs

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.

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, including 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.

In Minnesota, branches are located in Rushford and Winona.

You can get a Second Chance Checking account directly through Minnesota Valley Federal. There’s a minimum balance requirement 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.