Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in New Jersey

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 ATM 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 4.69% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

Upgrade is partnered with Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and your funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. With an Upgrade checking account, you can also get up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

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 4.30% 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.

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.

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.

First Tech Federal Credit Union offers an attractive banking solution that goes beyond traditional constraints, providing members with a combination of high-yield interest and multiple financial incentives across its platforms.

With the First Tech Rewards Checking & Savings accounts, there are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees.

These accounts offer competitive interest rates, with the potential to earn up to 4.00% APY on both checking and savings accounts, depending on the balance—significantly higher than many conventional banks.

Additionally, First Tech offers extensive accessibility with over 30,000 CO-OP network ATMs nationwide for fee-free withdrawals.

The credit union also ensures enhanced financial security and flexibility with features like real-time fraud monitoring and free overdraft transfers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 provides access to many standard banking features, including 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.

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

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.