Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in New Jersey

Struggling to open a checking account in New Jersey 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 New Jersey

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 3.80.00% 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 can earn up to 3.80.00% APY on their savings and 0.50% APY on checking accounts.

Direct deposit users also get the added benefit of early access to their paychecks – up to 2 days ahead.

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 lets you open a mobile bank account without ChexSystems checks or credit pulls. It’s built for speed, flexibility, and getting your finances back on track.

You can build credit just by using your Current debit card—no loans, credit checks, or interest charges involved. There are no monthly or annual fees for this feature.

Current also offers fee-free overdraft protection up to $200, access to over 40,000 Allpoint ATMs, and no minimum balance requirements.

With a Premium account, you can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Current also offers up to 4.00% APY through its Savings Pods, which lets you earn interest while keeping your money accessible.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • Over 22 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.

Upgrade

Features & Benefits

  • Up to 4.02% APY on savings
  • Up to 2% cash back
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • No monthly fees or overdraft fees

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 overdraft fees. You’ll also get a free Visa debit card, and up to 2% cash back on everyday debit card purchases.

The Upgrade Premier Savings account delivers an impressive 4.02% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

You’ll get access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint network, including Walgreens and CVS locations. Plus, checking account customers can qualify for up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

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.

Atlantic Federal Credit Union

Atlantic Federal Credit Union offers a second chance account called Take 2 Checking, which comes with a $10 monthly service charge.

After keeping the account in good standing for six months, you can transfer to one of Atlantic’s standard checking accounts.

Despite being a second chance account, Take 2 Checking includes modern banking features like a free Visa debit card, online banking, mobile banking, and bill pay.

To join, you must live, work, worship, do business, or attend school in Union or Essex County. Membership is also available to the immediate family of current members.

Atlantic Federal has locations in Kenilworth, Newark, and West Orange.

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.

First Harvest Credit Union

First Harvest Credit Union offers the First Step Checking account, a second chance option for those looking to rebuild their banking history.

This account provides simple, straightforward terms while offering convenient features typically found in traditional checking accounts.

It includes no minimum balance fee, digital banking access, and a Mastercard debit card. Over time, members can request to transition into a First Harvest Free1 Checking account by building a positive transaction history.

First Harvest Credit Union has branches in multiple New Jersey cities, including Camden, Deptford, Glassboro, Mt. Laurel, Pleasantville, Vineland, and Voorhees.

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.

Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union

Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking, which requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $15 monthly service fee.

Fresh Start Checking account holders must complete a checking management program and may need to enroll in direct deposit.

Despite being a second chance account, it comes with surcharge-free ATMs, unlimited check writing, free online and mobile banking, bill pay, remote deposit, and overdraft protection options.

Membership is available to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, or attend school in Atlantic or Cape May County. Jersey Shore has branches in Atlantic City, Galloway, Hammonton, and Northfield.

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.

United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Union

United Teletech offers a second chance account called Fresh Start Checking, designed for individuals with a negative ChexSystems record who want to repair their banking history.

If the account is kept in good standing for 12 months, you may be eligible to transfer to a standard checking account.

Fresh Start Checking includes a free debit card, online banking, mobile banking, bill pay, and unlimited check writing.

Membership is open to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, or attend school in Monmouth County, Ocean County, and parts of central Middlesex County. It’s also available to anyone related to a current member.

United Teletech has branches in Hazlet, Middletown, Morganville, Neptune, North Brunswick, and Tinton Falls.