Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Minnesota

Struggling to open a checking account in Minnesota 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 Minnesota

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

U.S. Bank

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

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

The U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account comes with a free debit card and the option to lock or unlock the card if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs or surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass Network ATMs.

U.S. Bank uses ChexSystems, but it has a history of being more lenient with records than most banks.

As long as you don’t have a history of fraud, or you don’t owe any money to U.S. Bank, you may be able to open a checking account with them.

The minimum opening deposit for this account is just $25, and the monthly service fee is $6.95. However, you can avoid the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum balance of $1,500 or by having a minimum monthly direct deposit of $1,000.

SoFi

Our Second 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

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.

American Federal Bank

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.

Gate City Bank

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.

Marine Credit Union

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.

Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union

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 Credit Union

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.

Westconsin Credit Union

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.

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.