Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in North Carolina

U.S. Bank is now inviting new customers to take advantage of a special online promotion:

• Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
• Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through May 6, 2025. Member FDIC.
• Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.

The checking account comes with a free debit card and the option to lock or unlock the card if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs or surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass Network ATMs.

U.S. Bank uses ChexSystems, but it has a history of being more lenient with records than most banks.

As long as you don’t have a history of fraud, or you don’t owe any money to U.S. Bank, you may be able to open a checking account with them.

The minimum opening deposit for this account is just $25, and the monthly service fee is $6.95. However, you can avoid the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum balance of $1,500 or by having a minimum monthly direct deposit of $1,000.

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 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.

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 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.

The single checking option available has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.

Additionally, you can earn rewards and interest by making 12 debit purchases monthly, signing up for direct deposit or bill pay, and opting for e-statements.

To qualify for membership, you or a family member must work in the telecommunications industry in North or South Carolina, including self-employed or independent contractors.

Carolinas Telco Federal has branches in Charlotte, Cornelius, Gastonia, and Raleigh.

Instead, it relies on a standard credit check, which may make it easier to qualify if you’ve had issues with past banking accounts.

The Lifetime Free Checking account has no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and unlimited check writing. It also includes a MasterCard debit card and access to online and mobile banking.

Carter Bank & Trust has branch locations across North Carolina, including Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Mooresville, Reidsville, Roxboro, Sanford, Shelby, Wilkesboro, Wilson, and other cities throughout the state.

The Free Checking option includes a Visa debit card with no monthly fees or minimum balance, as well as online banking with bill pay and mobile banking.

To qualify for membership, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson, Graham, Swain, Jackson, Madison, Macon, or Transylvania Counties.

You’ll also need to maintain at least $5 in a savings account.

Champion Credit Union has branches in Asheville, Arden, Canton, Hendersonville, Mills River, and Waynesville.

They offer five checking options, with Simply Yours being the most basic.

You can open the account with a $50 deposit, and the $3 monthly fee can be waived by opting for e-statements. The account also includes a debit card, online banking, mobile banking, and text alerts.

F&M Bank has branches in China Grove, Concord, Faith, Granite Quarry, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Rockwell, and Salisbury.

They offer various checking options: Advanced Checking comes with a $10.95 monthly fee, while Career Checking and 50+ Checking are free with a direct deposit. Basic Checking has a $6.50 fee if the balance falls below $100.

All accounts include a Visa check card, free online and text banking with bill pay, and the possibility of earning interest, depending on your balance.

Customers also enjoy fee-free ATM transactions at FSNB locations, mobile banking, free e-statements, and no charge for cashier checks or money orders. Additionally, one free box of standard checks is provided every quarter.

FSNB branches are located in Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Rockingham, Spring Lake, Wake Forest, and Wilmington.

They offer a single checking account with essential features like a free Visa debit card, direct deposit, online and mobile banking, and online bill pay.

You also get unlimited check writing and the option for overdraft protection. However, a low balance fee is charged if your account balance is below $25 by the last day of the month.

Membership is available to those who work for a sponsor company or live, work, worship, or attend school in or around Hopes Mill, or in Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin, Sampson, or Duplin counties.

Members Credit Union has branches in Elkin, High Point, Thomasville, and Winston-Salem.

With a $10 monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement, FreshStart Checking provides a clean slate for members to rebuild their financial history.

Benefits include a free Visa debit card, e-statements, bill pay, and no check cashing or check writing fees.

To qualify, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Wayne County, NC. Alternatively, a $5 donation to Your Community Foundation grants eligibility for those residing within North Carolina.

NCCFCU has two locations in Goldsboro.

The account includes overdraft protection and a free Visa debit card, with no minimum balance requirement.

To qualify for membership, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, or Union Counties.

You can find branches in Asheville, Belmont, Charlotte, Greensboro, Harrisburg, Huntersville, Kings Mountain, Matthews, Salisbury, and Spindale.