Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in New York

Struggling to open a checking account in New York 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 York

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of New York 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 is a financial technology company that offers mobile banking without ChexSystems checks or credit pulls. It’s a flexible option for anyone looking to rebuild or simplify their finances.

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.

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 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 4.02% 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.

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.

ACCESS Federal Credit Union

ACCESS Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems for screening new applicants.

They offer three checking account options, including Regular Checking, which is free with no monthly fees or minimum opening deposit.

It comes with standard features like online and mobile banking, along with free bank-to-bank transfers and PopMoney.

To qualify for checking at ACCESS Federal, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Oneida County or the City of Oneida.

ACCESS Federal Credit Union has locations in Camden, Clinton, Oneida, Rome, and Sherrill.

Affinity Federal Credit Union

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

They offer two checking options: MoreChecking and Affinity Checking. The Affinity Checking account doesn’t require a minimum deposit or minimum balance and has no monthly fees.

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

Affinity Federal Credit Union has locations in Bardonia, Greenburgh, and Stony Point, New York.

Alternatives Federal Credit Union

Alternatives Federal Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking, a free account designed to help you rebuild your financial history.

The account comes with unlimited check writing, and after three months of positive activity, you can receive a Visa debit card. There’s no minimum balance or deposit required.

Alternatives FCU has branches in Ithaca and Rochester, New York.

Bank United

Bank United is a ChexSystems bank, but is more lenient with negative reports than many other banks.

As long as there’s no history of bank fraud and all accounts have been settled, Bank United will likely approve your application.

Currently, Bank United offers four account options, with Value Checking being the most affordable. It has a low monthly service fee of $7 and requires an initial deposit of just $50.

Each account comes with a free debit card, free mobile and online banking, and free direct deposit.

Bank United has locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Melville.

Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union

Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems.

Membership is open to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, or attend school in specific Brooklyn and Queens districts.

These areas include Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, East New York, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, and more in Brooklyn, as well as Queens neighborhoods like Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, and Ridgewood.

To become a member, you need to open a savings account with a $25 deposit, which includes a $5 one-time fee.

The remaining $20 goes into your savings account. There are no monthly fees unless your balance drops below $1,200, in which case a $6 monthly fee applies.

All accounts come with free online bill pay, unlimited debit transactions, and four free ATM withdrawals per month.

Compass Federal Credit Union

Compass Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems.

To become a member, applicants must provide a valid ID to confirm they live, work, volunteer, worship, or attend school in Oswego County.

A $5 initial deposit is required to open a savings account. Compass offers various checking and savings accounts with no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees. New account holders also receive their first box of checks for free.

Compass Federal Credit Union has branches in Oswego and Fulton, New York.

Financial Trust Federal Credit Union

Financial Trust Federal Credit Union offers 2nd Chance Checking for individuals working to rebuild their banking history.

The account has a $10 monthly maintenance fee and includes standard features with no transaction limits.

Account holders get free bill pay, a Visa check card, direct deposit access, and unlimited check writing.

Branches are located in Blasdell, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Grand Island, Hanover, Orchard Park, and West Seneca, New York.

Fulton Savings Bank

Fulton Savings Bank offers a second chance checking account called New Opportunity for those with previous banking issues.

The account comes with several benefits, including unlimited check writing, direct deposit, a free debit card, and free phone, mobile, and online banking.

The monthly service fee is $9.95, but if you enroll in direct deposit, it’s reduced to $7.95.

Fulton Savings Bank has branches located in Baldwinsville, Brewerton, Central Square, Constantia, Fulton, and Phoenix.

Genesee Valley Federal Credit Union

Genesee Valley Federal Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking for those with previous banking challenges.

After six months of maintaining the account in good standing—meaning no overdrafts or insufficient funds—you can request an upgrade to a standard account.

There’s no minimum balance requirement, but a small monthly service fee applies.

To get started, applicants need to make a $5 deposit into a savings account and provide a social security number, phone number, and valid New York State ID or passport.

Genesee Valley FCU has locations in Geneseo, Dansville, and Warsaw.

Meridia Community Credit Union

Meridia Community Credit Union uses credit reports instead of ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS to review new applications.

If your credit report has limited negative entries, you may still qualify for an account.

Meridia offers fee-free accounts with benefits like overdraft protection, free online and mobile banking, and unlimited check writing.

You’ll also have access to free ATMs at Meridia branches and through the CU24 network. There’s no minimum deposit required to open an account, and no minimum balance is needed.

Meridia currently has two locations in Hamburg and one in Eden.

Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union

Neighborhood Trust FCU doesn’t use ChexSystems when reviewing new applications.

To become a member, applicants need to complete a membership form, provide a valid government-issued ID, and show proof of address.

They offer unlimited check writing and overdraft protection, with a minimum balance requirement of $500.

If your combined checking and savings balance falls below $550, a $6.50 fee applies. A minimum deposit of $25 is required to open an account.

Neighborhood Trust currently operates from a single location on Nicholas Avenue in New York City.

People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union

People’s Alliance FCU doesn’t use ChexSystems and allows new applicants to join if they meet specific eligibility requirements.

Most residents of New York City live within the geographical area, and individuals working for select employers in the People’s Alliance network are also eligible.

They offer four checking options. The Standard Checking account has no minimum balance requirement or monthly service fee. All accounts come with starter checks, direct deposit, and overdraft protection.

People’s Alliance FCU has locations in Brooklyn, Hauppauge, Jamaica, JFK Airport, Ronkonkoma, Westbury, and Yonkers.

RT Federal Credit Union

RT Federal Credit Union uses credit reports instead of ChexSystems when evaluating applications for new members.

As long as the credit report is average and doesn’t contain too many negative entries, RT is likely to approve the application.

Membership is also open to students, employees, and retirees from select schools and libraries within New York.

An account with RT Federal CU includes online banking, direct deposit, a free Visa debit card, and a streamlined application process for select personal loans.

RT Federal has branches in Camden, Lyons Falls, and Rome.

Sidney Federal Credit Union

Sidney Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems and offers membership to applicants who live, work, or attend school in Oneonta, Sidney, and surrounding areas.

Checking with SFCU includes 24/7 ATM access and free online and mobile banking. There is no minimum balance requirement, and no monthly service charges.

If you sign up for direct deposit, you’ll receive a box of free checks, and each account comes with free overdraft protection.

Sidney Federal Credit Union has branches in Bainbridge, Cicero, Delhi, Greene, Hancock, Norwich, Oneonta, Sidney, and Walton.

UFirst Federal Credit Union

UFirst Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems.

Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Clinton County.

UFirst offers two savings account options and two checking account options. Share Draft Checking includes a free Visa debit card, 10 debit card uses per day, 50 free checks, and a $500 daily ATM cash withdrawal limit.

UFirst Federal Credit Union has branch locations in Plattsburgh and Rouses Point.

US Alliance Financial

US Alliance Financial, also known as USAlliance Federal Credit Union, is a non-ChexSystems bank with multiple locations throughout New York City and nearby areas.

Checking accounts at US Alliance come with no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements.

Account holders enjoy free online and mobile banking, free bill pay, a free debit card, and free monthly credit score updates.

US Alliance Financial has New York branch locations in Bronx, Napanoch, Port Chester, Purchase, and Woodbourne.

Van Cortlandt Cooperative Federal Credit Union

Van Cortlandt Federal Credit Union is a non-ChexSystems institution that offers membership to those who meet specific eligibility requirements.

Van Cortlandt offers both checking and savings accounts.

Their Free Share Draft Checking account comes with no minimum balance requirement, no fees for written checks, and includes free online banking and bill pay.

The credit union is located on Hillman Avenue in the Bronx.

Webster Bank

Webster Bank offers a second chance checking option called Opportunity Checking.

It requires a $50 initial deposit and comes with a $16.95 monthly service fee, which can be reduced to $11.95 with direct deposit.

Opportunity Checking includes free mobile banking, access to over 300 surcharge-free ATMs, a free debit card, online banking, bill pay, and balance alerts.

You can find Webster Bank branches in Astoria, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Flushing, Jamaica, Manhattan, Queens, Rego Park, Valley Stream, Yonkers, and many more cities in New York.

Westside Community Federal Credit Union

Westside Community FCU doesn’t use ChexSystems. They allow anyone within its field of membership to join, including those who live or work in Chili, Churchville, Ogden, Riga, and Sweden.

To begin membership, a $5 deposit into a savings account is required.

Westside Community offers multiple savings account options and a completely free share draft account.

The checking share draft account comes with no monthly service fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no fees for written checks.

The credit union is located in Churchville.