Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in New Jersey

In New Jersey, a ChexSystems record can get in the way of basic banking. One closed account or unpaid fee in your past could be all it takes to get denied.

The upside? New Jersey has second chance banks and some that don’t use ChexSystems at all, giving you real options to open a checking account—even with a less-than-perfect record.

13 Banks in New Jersey That Don’t Use ChexSystems

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

SoFi

Our Top Pick

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.

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

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.

Stash

Features & Benefits

  • No hidden fees
  • Earn stock as you spend with Stock-Back® rewards
  • Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit
  • 55,000+ fee-free ATMs through Allpoint®

Stash offers a checking account that doesn’t require a credit check or ChexSystems approval, making it accessible if you’ve faced banking challenges in the past.

Each time you use your Stash debit card, you earn Stock-Back® rewards—fractional shares of stock in the companies where you shop.

You can also receive your paycheck sooner with early direct deposit, and there are no overdraft fees to worry about.

The account includes access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs and is managed through the Stash app, which also features investing and money management tools.

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.

Affinity Federal Credit Union

Affinity Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or pull a credit report when reviewing new account applications.

Affinity FCU offers two checking options: MoreChecking and Affinity Checking. The Affinity Checking account is a great option with no minimum deposit, no minimum balance requirement, and no monthly fees.

It also includes free online bill pay, eBanking, and access to over 30,000 ATMs nationwide with a debit card.

Affinity Federal Credit Union has branches in several New Jersey cities, including Denville, Edison, Hillsborough, Lawrence Township, Madison, Middletown, Morristown, New Brunswick, New Providence, and Piscataway.

Century Savings Bank

Century Savings Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS to screen new applications.

Instead, you only need to provide two forms of ID—one of which must be a government-issued ID, while the other can be a secondary form of identification.

Century Savings Bank offers several checking options, and all accounts come with free eBanking, free bill pay, free eStatements, and a free MasterCard debit card.

Century Savings Bank has locations in Bridgeton, Elmer, Gibbstown, Mullica Hill, and Vineland.

Credit Union of New Jersey

Credit Union of New Jersey uses ChexSystems but offers a second chance account called Right Turn Checking.

It requires a $100 minimum opening deposit, but has no minimum balance requirement.

The account comes with a $10 monthly fee, but if you maintain it in good standing for 12 months, you may be eligible to transfer to one of the standard checking accounts.

Right Turn Checking includes a free MasterCard debit card and supports Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. You’ll also get access to modern banking features like mobile and online banking, bill pay, eStatements, remote deposit, and identity theft protection.

Credit Union of New Jersey has locations in Ewing, Trenton, and Hamilton.

First Atlantic Federal Credit Union

First Atlantic Federal Credit Union does not use ChexSystems, making it an option for those who may have been turned away by other banks due to their checking history.

They offer two checking account options: the One Account and the Elite Account. The One Account provides access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

It also comes with several free features, including online banking, mobile banking, a debit card, unlimited check writing, and eStatements. Additionally, there are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly service fees.

First Atlantic FCU has locations in Eatontown, Neptune, Oceanport, and Toms River.

Garden State Federal Credit Union

Garden State Federal Credit Union does not use ChexSystems to screen new applicants.

They offer several checking options, with their primary checking account being free and requiring no minimum balance. It also comes with modern banking features like online and mobile banking.

To join Garden State FCU, you must live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in one of nine select cities in New Jersey, or be part of a participating employer group.

Garden State is located in Moorestown and is part of the Co-Op Shared Branch Network, providing access to thousands of branches nationwide.

IRCO Community Federal Credit Union

IRCO Community Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS to screen new applicants. Instead, they require two forms of identification to open an account.

A checking account with IRCO includes free overdraft protection, a free VISA debit card, unlimited check writing, and free online banking. While there is a $10 monthly fee, it can be waived if you maintain a $250 daily balance.

To join, you must live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Phillipsburg, Alpha, or the townships of Franklin, Greenwich, Harmony, Lopatcong, or Pohatcong.

IRCO has a location in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and another just across the border in Pennsylvania.

Newfield National Bank

NewField National Bank uses EWS instead of ChexSystems to screen new account applications.

To open an account, a minimum deposit of $50 is required, but there’s no monthly service fee or minimum balance requirement for most accounts.

Members can choose from several types of checking accounts. The New Jersey Consumer Checking account offers direct deposit options, a debit card, eStatements, and free check writing.

To avoid a $3 monthly service fee, you need to maintain a daily balance of at least $1.00.

NewField National Bank has branches in Bridgeton, Franklinville, Malaga, Newfield, Pitman, Sewell, Vineland, and Williamstown.

OceanFirst Bank

OceanFirst Bank is a non-ChexSystems bank, which means applicants don’t need to worry about a ChexSystems report when opening an account.

To open an account, you’ll need to provide two forms of ID — one must be a government-issued ID, and the second can be a secondary form of ID.

OceanFirst offers several checking options. The Totally Free Checking account doesn’t require a minimum balance or have a monthly service fee.

All you need is a $50 minimum opening deposit, and you’ll also get a free Visa debit card and access to free eBanking.

OceanFirst Bank has branches in several New Jersey cities, including Atlantic City, Brick, Egg Harbor Township, Freehold, Hamilton, Middletown, Millville, New Brunswick, Toms River, and Vineland

Pennsville National Bank

Pennsville National Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or require a credit report to screen new applications.

They offer several checking account options, including the Freedom Account, which provides unlimited checking.

There’s no monthly service fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $300.

Pennsville National Bank has branches in Carneys Point, Elmer, Pedricktown, Pennsville, and Woodstown.