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 4.60% 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 are entitled to an annual percentage yield (APY) of 4.60% 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, and they can earn up to 15% cash back at local businesses when they make transactions with the SoFi debit card.

Chime®

Our Second Pick

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.

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
  • No credit check or ChexSystems

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.

GO2bank

Features & Benefits

  • No ChexSystems or credit check
  • 4.50% APY on savings
  • Over 19,000 fee-free ATMs
  • $5 monthly fee can be waived

GO2bank is a neobank offered by Green Dot, a well-established financial technology company. Customers can open a checking account featuring subaccounts known as vaults without a minimum balance requirement.

GO2bank provides an attractive 4.50% APY on savings accounts for balances of up to $5,000. Access to funds is made easy through cash deposits at 90,000 retail locations and fee-free ATMs at 19,000 locations.

Additionally, customers can receive their pay up to 2 days in advance and government benefits up to 4 days early via direct deposit.

You can also opt for overdraft protection up to $200 with eligible direct deposits.

GO2bank offers the GO2bank Secured Visa Credit Card, which can assist customers in building their credit over time through responsible use.

The $5 monthly fee is waived when you receive payroll or government benefits through direct deposit.

Chase

Features & Benefits

  • $100 bonus after 10 purchases
  • No credit check or ChexSystems
  • Over 16,000+ fee-free ATMs
  • Over 4,700 branches nationwide
  • $4.95 monthly service fee

Chase offers a checking account called Chase Secure Banking. The account comes with a Chase debit card that gets you access to over 16,000 fee-free ATMs.

Some features of this checking account include free online bill pay, free money orders and cashier’s checks, no overdraft fees, and no minimum opening deposit. However, there is also a monthly service fee of $4.95.

When you open a Chase Secure Banking account and make 10 qualifying purchases within 60 days, you’ll get a $100 cash bonus.

Account approval is immediate, and the debit card typically arrives within days.

ACCESS Federal Credit Union

To qualify for checking at ACCESS Federal, you need to live, work, worship, or go to school anywhere in Oneida County or the City of Oneida.

There are three checking options available at ACCESS FCU. The free option is called Regular Checking. In addition to no monthly fee, there’s also no minimum opening deposit.

It has the usual features like online and mobile bank, plus free access to bank-to-bank transfers and PopMoney.

Affinity Federal Credit Union

Affinity Federal Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or pull a credit report.

Affinity FCU offers two types of checking accounts, MoreChecking and Affinity Checking. The Affinity Checking option doesn’t require a minimum deposit or have a minimum balance requirement. There’s also no monthly fee.

The checking account comes with free online bill pay, free eBanking, and a debit card with access to over 30,000 nationwide ATMs.

Alternatives Federal Credit Union

Alternatives FCU offers Fresh Start Checking, a free account that helps you rebuild your financial history. You get unlimited check writing and after three months of positive activity, you can get a Visa debit card. There’s no minimum balance or minimum deposit required.

They’re based in Ithaca, with a branch and multiple ATMs located throughout that city, as well as Dryden and Trumansburg.

Bank OZK

Bank OZK offers a second chance checking account called Pathway Checking. There’s a $50 minimum opening deposit, but no minimum balance requirement.

The monthly service fee is $10 and you won’t earn interest like some of Bank OZK’s other checking accounts.

Pathway Checking comes with a Visa debit card, plus unlimited check writing, online banking, and mobile banking. You also get bill pay, with 15 free payments a month and each one costing $0.50 after that. 

Bank United

Bank United has eight locations in the New York City area. It’s a ChexSystems bank, but it’s more lenient with negative reports than other banks.

As long as there’s no issue with bank fraud, and all accounts have been settled and paid, Bank United will likely open an account with you.

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

Currently, Bank United offers four options for you to choose from including Vertical Rewards Elite Checking, Relationship Checking, Value Checking, and a Health Savings Account.

Value Checking has a low monthly service fee of $7 and requires an initial deposit of only $50.

Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union

Brooklyn Cooperative has two branch locations in Brooklyn and opens membership to anyone who lives, works, volunteers, worships, or attends school in designated Brooklyn and Queen districts.

The following Brooklyn localities are accepted: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, East New York, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Weeksville, Wingate, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Ocean Hill, and Brownsville. Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, and Ridgewood of Queens are also accepted.

To join, you must open up a savings account and deposit $25. $5 of that $25 is a one-time fee, but the rest is directly deposited into the savings account. There are no monthly fees.

However, if your account falls below $1,200, there is a monthly fee of $6. All accounts come with free online bill pay, unlimited debit transactions, and four free ATM withdrawals a month.

Compass Credit Union

Compass requires new applicants to provide proper identification prior to membership. This is done to help guarantee that the applicant lives works, volunteers, worships or attends school in Oswego County.

An initial deposit of $5 is also required to open a savings account. Currently, they have seven locations throughout Oswego County.

There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees. New account holders also get their first box of checks for free. Compass CU offers a variety of checking and savings accounts to meet each member’s individual needs.

Fulton Savings Bank

Located at 75 South First Street in Fulton, NY, Fulton Savings offers second chance checking for applicants who have had banking troubles in the past. The second chance bank accounts come with a variety of perks. Members enjoy:

  • Unlimited check writing
  • Direct deposit
  • Free debit card
  • Free phone banking
  • Free mobile banking
  • Free online banking

The monthly service fee is only $9.95 a month, but if you sign up for direct deposit it’s only $7.95 a month.

Genesee Valley Federal Credit Union

Genesee Valley FCU offers Fresh Start Checking for applicants who have had banking troubles in the past. At the member’s request, he or she can upgrade to a standard account after only six months.

The account must be kept in good standing for the entire six months, meaning no overdrafts or records of non-sufficient funds. It doesn’t require a monthly minimum balance, but it does have a low monthly service fee.

Genesee has locations in Geneseo, Dansville, and Warsaw. Applicants must make an initial deposit of $5 into a savings account, and be able to provide a social security number, phone number, and a valid New York State license or passport.

Meridia Community Credit Union

Meridia Community uses credit reports in lieu of ChexSystems, Telecheck, and EWS when screening new applications. As long as your credit report doesn’t have too many negative entries on it, you may be eligible to open a new account with Meridia.

Meridia doesn’t charge any fees. They offer overdraft protection, free online and mobile banking, and free unlimited check writing. Plus, you getfree ATM access at the Meridia branches or the CU24 ATM network.

They don’t require a minimum deposit to open an account or require a minimum balance.

Currently, there are two locations in Hamburg and one in Eden.

Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union

To become a member of Neighborhood Trust, applicants must complete a membership application form, provide a valid government-issued ID and a proof of address.

Neighborhood Trust currently only has one location at 1112 St. Nicholas Avenue in New York City.

Neighborhood Trust FCU offers unlimited check writing and overdraft protection. The minimum balance required is $500.

There is a $6.50 fee if your checking and savings account falls below $550. To open an account, you must make a minimum deposit of $25.

People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union

People’s Alliance FCU allows new applicants to join if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Most residents of New York City live within the geographical parameters.

Individuals who work with select employers within the People’s Alliance network are also eligible. They have locations in Jamaica, Brooklyn, Westbury, Ronkonkoma, Yonkers, Hauppauge, and JFK Airport.

People’s Alliance offers four options for checking: PAFCU Standard Checking, Golden Checking, Business Checking, and Checking Plus.

Standard Checking doesn’t require a minimum balance nor does it charge a monthly service fee. No matter which account you choose, each account comes with a set of starter checks, direct deposit, and overdraft protection.

RT Federal Credit Union

RT Federal uses credit reports when evaluating applications for new members. As long as the credit report is average and doesn’t have too many negative entries on it, RT will likely accept the application.

Membership is also contingent upon whether the applicant is a student employee or retiree from select school and libraries within New York.

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

Sidney Federal Credit Union

Sidney Federal offers membership to applicants who live, work, or attend school in Oneonta, Sidney, and surrounding areas.

Sidney Federal has nine branch locations in Sidney, Bainbridge, Delhi, Greene, Hancock, Norwich, Oneonta, and Walton. Additionally, each member can access his or her account through numerous shared service centers.

Checking with SFCU comes with 24/7 ATM access and free online and mobile banking. There is no minimum balance requirement, and you don’t have to worry about any monthly service charges.

If you sign up for direct deposit, you get a box of free checks, plus each account comes with free overdraft protection.

UFirst Federal Credit Union

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

UFirst currently has four branch locations in Plattsburgh and Rouses Point.

UFirst has two savings account options and two checking account options for new members: Share Savings Account, Share Draft Checking, Lucky Savers, and Youth and Student Checking.

Share Draft Checking comes with a free Visa debit card, 10 debit card uses a day, 50 free checks, and a $500 a day ATM cash withdrawal limit.

US Alliance Financial

US Alliance Financial has multiple locations throughout New York City and nearby areas. Currently, the other branches are located in White Plains, Purchase, Port Chester, Bronx, New York, Wayne, Hopewell Junction, and Wallkill. They also have two locations in West Haven, Connecticut.

A checking account with US Alliance doesn’t have any monthly service fees, nor does it require a minimum balance.

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

Van Cortlandt Cooperative Federal Credit Union

Van Cortlandt is located on Hillman Avenue in the Bronx. To become a member, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements. However, there are a few options for this:

  • Be a resident of Amalgamated, Park Reservoir, Mutual, Orloff Towers, or Cannon Heights Cooperatives
  • Be employed or go to school at Amalgamated Housing Corp, Amalgamated Nursery school or Ampark Neighborhood school
  • Have an immediate family who is already a member

Van Cortlandt has both checking and savings account options for its members. Their Free Share Draft Checking doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement or charge any fees for written checks. It comes with free online banking and free bill pay.

Webster Bank

Webster Bank offers second chance checking called Opportunity Checking. It requires an initial deposit of $50 and has a monthly service fee of $16.95. This amount can be lowered to $11.95 if you sign up for direct deposit.

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

Webster Bank has locations in Yonkers, New Rochelle, Larchmont, White Plains, Scarsdale, Rye, Greenwich, as well as multiple locations in Connecticut.

Westside Community Federal Credit Union

Westside Community FCU is located in Churchville and allows anyone within its field of membership to join. Anyone who lives or works in Chili, Churchville, Ogden, Riga, and Sweden is allowed to join.

To begin membership, you must deposit $5 into a savings account. Westside Community offers multiple savings account options, but also has a completely free share draft account option.

Its checking share draft account doesn’t have a monthly service fee or a minimum balance requirement, and also doesn’t charge any fees for written checks.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Chime generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

7. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.