Being denied a checking account because of your ChexSystems history doesn’t have to be the end of your banking journey. You might think that just because your record in ChexSystems has negative entries like excessive overdrafts or bounced checks, you can’t get approved for another account. Luckily, that’s simply not true.
Non-ChexSystems & Second Chance Banks in North Carolina
Below you will find a list of banks in North Carolina that don’t use ChexSystems. We’ve also included some ChexSystems banks that offer second chance banking and some great online banks. All of these options can provide you with the convenience of hassle-free modern banking.
Chime
on Chime's secure website
With Chime, bad banking history is not an issue. They offer an award-winning financial app, a debit card, and a credit-builder Visa credit card, all with no credit check.
The Chime Spending Account is 100% free and has no monthly fees:
- no overdraft fees
- no monthly maintenance fees
- no foreign transaction fees
- no minimum balance fees
They’ll even spot you up to $200 on debit card purchases with no overdraft fees.
You can also start building your credit with the Chime Credit Builder Visa Credit Card. It’s a secured credit card with no annual fees, no credit checks, and no interest charges.
Chime has over 60,000 fee-free MoneyPass® and Visa® Plus Alliance ATMs. Plus, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit. You can also deposit cash for free at over 8,500 Walgreens.
You can see why Chime is our #1 choice.
Current
on Current's secure website
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.
A Current mobile banking account includes fee-free overdraft protection of up to $100. You 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.
Sable
on Sable's secure website
Sable allows you to open a bank account with a debit card and secured credit card in just 5 minutes.
There are no credit checks, no fees, and no minimum deposit required. You can also get an unsecured credit card in about 4 months after using your secured card. That’s 3x faster than what traditional banks offer.
The Sable credit card offers 2% cashback on your favorite brands.
To open a Sable account, you don’t need a social security number or U.S. credit history. You can also send money to 55+ countries and get multilingual customer support.
Alliance Federal Credit Union
on Alliance CU's secure website
You can apply for Fresh Start Checking at Alliance Federal, although you’ll need to stop by a branch to find out if you qualify.
The monthly service fee is $10 and you’ll need a $50 opening deposit. After that, though, there’s no minimum balance that needs to be maintained. In addition to your Visa debit card, you’ll also get free online banking, bill pay, text, and mobile banking.
Before you apply for the account, you need to qualify for membership with Alliance Federal. They require that you live, work, worship, or attend school in one of the following counties: New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick.
Alternatively, you can be employed by one of 400 partner companies to qualify for membership or have a family member who is an existing member.
Bank OZK
on Bank OZK's secure website
If you’ve been turned down by other banks, you could get approved for Pathway Checking from Bank OZK. The monthly service fee is $10 and the minimum opening deposit is $50. Once you’ve opened the account, you’re not required to keep a certain balance.
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. You can also elect to use a mobile wallet through Bank OZK.
Branch locations include Raleigh, Lawndale, Forest City, Shelby, Lincolnton, Kings Mountain, Bessemer City, Gastonia, Cornelius, Belmont, Charlotte, Landis, Mocksville, Concord, Harrisburg, Advance, Lexington, Winston Salem, and Asheboro.
Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union
on Carolinas Telco FCU's secure website
Carolinas Telco Federal uses a credit report check instead of ChexSystems, so you might be able to qualify for a checking account with them. There’s only one checking option available, but it doesn’t require any monthly fee or minimum balance requirement.
You can also qualify for Carolinas Telco’s checking rewards program and earn interest if you make 12 debit purchases each month, sign up for direct deposit or bill pay, and receive e-statements.
Who qualifies for membership at Carolinas Telco Federal? You or a family member must be employed in the telecommunications industry in either North Carolina or South Carolina.
It even counts if you’re self-employed or an independent contractor in the industry. Branch locations include Charlotte, Gastonia, Cornelius, and Raleigh.
Carter Bank & Trust
on Carter Bank & Trust's secure website
Carter Bank & Trust also reportedly uses a credit check rather than ChexSystems. Their Lifetime Free Checking comes with no monthly service fee or minimum balance requirement. You also get unlimited check writing on top of your MasterCard debit card.
Branch locations throughout the state include Asheboro, Burlington, Eden, Fayetteville, Forest City, Greensboro, Greenville, Henderson, Hickory, Jonesville, Lincolnton, Louisburg, Lumberton, Mooresville, Morganton, Mount Airy, Reidsville, Roxboro, Sandford, Shelby, Siler City, Stoneville, Wilkesboro, and Wilson.
Champion Credit Union
on Champion's secure website
Instead of ChexSystems, Champion uses TeleCheck to evaluate new applicants. There are three checking options to choose from: Champion Checking with Rewards, Free Checking, and Senior Rewards Checking.
The most basic option is Free Checking, which gives you a Visa debit card with no monthly fee or minimum balance. Plus you get online banking with bill pay and mobile banking.
To qualify for membership, you must live, work, worship, or go to school in one of the following counties: Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson, Graham, Swain, Jackson, Madison, Macon, or Transylvania Counties. You must also keep at least $5 in your savings account.
Charlotte Metro Credit Union
on Charlotte Metro CU's secure website
Located in and around Charlotte, CMCU offers Fresh Start Checking. There is a monthly service fee of $10.95 but that drops to $7.95 if you sign up for direct deposit. You do, however, get overdraft protection to go along with your free Visa debit card. Also, there’s no minimum balance requirement to worry about either.
To qualify for membership at Charlotte Metro, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, or Union Counties. There are 11 branches throughout the Charlotte area.
Corporate America Family Federal Credit Union
on Corporate America Family FCU's secure website
Fresh Start Checking from Corporate America Family Federal can help you rebuild a positive checking history in ChexSystems. To qualify, you’ll need to be a member of CAFFCU and keep at least $100 in your savings account there. There’s also a $10 monthly fee associated with Fresh Start Checking.
You can apply either over the phone or at a branch. They have a branch located in High Point.
F&M Bank
on F&M Bank's secure website
F&M Bank uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems, which could help you qualify for a checking account. There are five checking options available, with the most basic option being Simply Yours.
The minimum opening balance is $50 and the $3 monthly charge can be eliminated if you choose e-statements. You also get all the typical amenities like a debit card, online banking, mobile banking, and text alerts.
There are branches located in China Grove, Concord, Faith, Granite Quarry, Kannapolis, Rockwell, and Salisbury.
FSNB
on FSNB's secure website
FSNB offers a Basic Checking account, which requires a $50 opening deposit and has no credit check required. There’s a modest monthly fee of $5.50, but that can be eliminated if you keep your account balance above $75.
You get a free Visa check card, unlimited check writing, and free basic online banking. Your account could even earn interest if your balance reaches $500 or more.
Members Credit Union
on Members CU's secure website
Instead of ChexSystems, Members runs a credit report on new members. There’s only one checking option, but it offers everything you need, including a free Visa debit card, direct deposit, online and mobile banking, and online bill pay.
You also get unlimited check writing and overdraft protection if you choose. However, if you don’t have $25 in your account by the last day of the month, you’ll be charged a low balance fee.
To join, you must either work at a sponsor company or live, work, worship, or attend school in or around Hopes Mill, or in Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin, Sampson, or Duplin counties.