Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Montana

If you’ve been denied a bank account in Montana, ChexSystems may be to blame. This banking database tracks past mistakes—and many banks use it to screen new customers.

But not all banks do. Some in Montana skip ChexSystems altogether, while others offer second chance accounts with fewer requirements and more flexibility.

9 Banks in Montana That Don’t Use ChexSystems

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

Current

Our Top Pick

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

Current doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so approval is easy—even with a rough banking history.

There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and you get access to 40,000 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit by using your debit card—no loans, credit pulls, or interest charges.

Current includes fee-free overdraft protection up to $200 and lets you get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Optional Savings Pods earn up to 4.00% APY.

SoFi

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.80% APY on savings
  • Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs

SoFi doesn’t use ChexSystems and offers a no-fee checking and savings account with solid perks.

You can earn up to 3.80% APY on savings, access over 55,000 fee-free ATMs, and get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

There are no overdraft fees, balance requirements, or monthly charges. You can also earn a sign-up bonus of up to $300 when you set up qualifying direct deposits.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Credit Builder Card with no interest, fees, or credit pull
  • Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
  • Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs

Chime doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so anyone can open an account.

There’s no monthly fee, no minimum opening deposit, and access to over 60,0001 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit7 with the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card—no annual fees, interest charges1, or credit pull required.

Direct deposit users can get paid up to two days early2, and cash deposits are free at over 8,500 Walgreens locations.

Clearwater Credit Union

Clearwater Credit Union offers the SmartSpend Checking account, which is designed for individuals who have struggled to qualify for traditional accounts.

This account eliminates the risk of overdraft fees, works like a debit card, and provides an affordable way for previously unbanked people to access essential banking services.

To open a SmartSpend account, all you need is a $50 deposit. The account provides access to features like online banking, mobile banking, and bill pay at about one-third of the cost of other alternatives.

Clearwater Credit Union has branches in several Montana cities, including Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Missoula, and Stevensville.

First Security Bank

First Security Bank in Montana doesn’t use ChexSystems for new account applications. All you need to provide is two forms of identification, with one being government-issued.

They offer four types of checking accounts: Totally Free Checking, Easy Interest Checking, 50+ Interest Checking, and Premier Interest Checking.

Totally Free Checking is a popular option with no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and only requires a $50 opening deposit. It also includes a free Visa debit card, online banking, mobile banking, and bill pay.

First Security Bank has branches in several Montana cities, including Belgrade, Big Sky, Bozeman, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone.

Garfield County Bank

Garfield County Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems for new accounts. To open one, all you need is two forms of identification, including a government-issued ID and your Social Security card for identity verification.

They offer three types of checking accounts: Standard Checking, Payless Checking, and Money Market Checking. Payless Checking gives you two options.

The first has no monthly fee but doesn’t include check images with your statements. The second option costs $6.75 per month and provides check images in your statement. Neither option requires a minimum balance.

Garfield County Bank is located in Jordan, Montana.

Valley Bank of Helena

Valley Bank of Helena doesn’t use ChexSystems, EWS, or Telecheck for account applications, and they also don’t check your credit report.

They offer four checking accounts: Totally Free Checking, Easy Interest, 50+ Checking, and Premier Interest Checking.

Totally Free Checking is a great option if you’re looking for no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, with only a $50 opening deposit needed.

You’ll also get services like a Visa debit card, check images with eStatements, mobile and online banking, remote deposits, and bill pay at no extra cost.

Valley Bank of Helena has branches in several Montana cities, including Anaconda, Butte, East Helena, Helena, and Whitehall.

Valley Credit Union

Valley Credit Union is a ChexSystems bank, but they offer a second chance account called Opportunity Checking. This account is designed to help you rebuild your banking history.

You can open the account with a $50 deposit. The monthly fee is $7.50, but if you set up direct deposit, it drops to $5.

The account comes with essential modern banking tools like free online and mobile access, e-statements, and bill pay.

To become a member, you’ll need to deposit $25 into a savings account. Eligibility is based on living, working, worshiping, or attending school in Carbon, Big Horn, Golden Valley, Gallatin, Park, Musselshell, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Treasure, or Yellowstone County, or having a family member who is already a member.

Valley Federal has branches in several cities, including Billings, Bozeman, Columbus, Miles City, and Roundup.

Wells Fargo

If you’re unable to qualify for a standard checking account with Wells Fargo, their Clear Access Banking account might be a good alternative.

This second chance account is specifically designed for those who have faced financial challenges in the past.

Clear Access Banking has a monthly fee of $5, which is waived if the primary account holder is between 13 and 24 years old.

The account requires a $25 minimum deposit to open and comes with features like online bill pay and mobile banking.

You’ll have access to over 13,000 Wells Fargo ATMs for free, making it convenient to manage your money while rebuilding your banking record.

Wells Fargo has branches in several Montana cities, including Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Glasgow, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, and Sidney.