Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in North Dakota

Many banks in North Dakota rely on ChexSystems to screen applicants—so one overdraft or unpaid fee could stand in the way of opening an account.

Thankfully, there are second chance banks in North Dakota, and a few that skip ChexSystems entirely. These options make it possible to start fresh and get back to banking.

14 Banks in North Dakota That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of North Dakota banks and credit unions that allow anyone to open a checking account, regardless of their banking history.

Current

Our Top Pick

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 doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so approval is easy—even with a rough banking history.

There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and you get access to 40,000 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit by using your debit card—no loans, credit pulls, or interest charges.

Current includes fee-free overdraft protection up to $200 and lets you get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Optional Savings Pods earn up to 4.00% APY.

SoFi

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.80% APY on savings
  • Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs

SoFi doesn’t use ChexSystems and offers a no-fee checking and savings account with solid perks.

You can earn up to 3.80% APY on savings, access over 55,000 fee-free ATMs, and get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

There are no overdraft fees, balance requirements, or monthly charges. You can also earn a sign-up bonus of up to $300 when you set up qualifying direct deposits.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Credit Builder Card with no interest, fees, or credit pull
  • Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
  • Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs

Chime doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so anyone can open an account.

There’s no monthly fee, no minimum opening deposit, and access to over 60,0001 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit7 with the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card—no annual fees, interest charges1, or credit pull required.

Direct deposit users can get paid up to two days early2, and cash deposits are free at over 8,500 Walgreens locations.

American Federal Bank

American Federal Bank requires a credit score of 680 or higher to qualify for a checking account, rather than using ChexSystems.

Their most basic option, American Free Checking, has no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, and offers unlimited check writing.

You’ll also get a debit card, free direct deposit, online banking, bill pay, and 16 free checks when you open your account.

American Federal Bank has multiple locations, including Fargo, Grand Forks, Northwood, and Wahpeton.

Capital Credit Union

Capital Credit Union pulls your credit instead of using ChexSystems, and you may qualify for an account if you have a credit score of 600 or higher.

Their Simple Checking account is free with no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement. You’ll also get free features like a debit card, online banking, mobile banking with check deposit, and bill pay.

Capital Credit Union has locations in Bismarck, Mandan, Fargo, Flasher, Beulah, Hazen, and New Salem. To become a member, you must live within 50 to 75 miles of one of these branches.

Dakota Community Bank

Dakota Community Bank uses a credit report for approving new applications, which may allow you to qualify.

If not, you can start with a savings account and then open a checking account after six months.

They offer several checking options, including Free, Now, Relationship, Relationship+, Student, and Money Market. For a simple option, Dakota Free Checking is a great choice.

Once approved, you’ll receive a free check card, unlimited check writing, and no minimum balance requirement. You can also earn interest on the account.

Dakota Community Bank has branches in Bismarck, Bowman, Dickinson, Glen Ullin, Hebron, Lincoln, Mandan, Mobridge, New Leipzig, Richardton, and Taylor.

Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union

Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems for approving new applications.

They offer two checking options: Kasasa Cash and Kasasa Cash Back.

The Kasasa Cash Back account has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and allows you to earn 3% cash back on debit card purchases (up to $7.50 per month). You can also link this account to a Kasasa Saver savings account.

To join, you must live within a 75-mile radius of their home office in Edgeley or qualify as an immediate family member of an existing member.

Dakota Plains has branch locations in Bison, Faith, Hettinger, Lemmon, and Pierre.

First Community Credit Union

First Community Credit Union accesses your Experian credit report instead of using ChexSystems to determine eligibility for an account.

With five checking options available, E-Z Checking is a popular choice, offering no monthly service fees, no minimum balance, and no minimum opening deposit.

To be eligible for membership, you must live within specific location parameters, such as a 75-mile radius of Jamestown, Devils Lake, or Portland, or within a 50-mile radius of other cities in North Dakota.

First Community has branches in the following North Dakota cities: Bismarck, Devils Lake, Fargo, Grand Forks, Hankinson, Jamestown, Larimore, Mandan, Oakes, and Wahpeton.

Gate City Bank

Gate City Bank uses Choice Point for identity verification instead of ChexSystems, allowing for easy account opening.

There are multiple checking account options, and Totally FREE Checking is the simplest to maintain.

After an initial $50 deposit, there is no minimum balance requirement or monthly fee. Additional features include an instant debit card, online and mobile banking, Popmoney, and a money management tool.

You also receive $25 when bringing in your check card and unused checks from another institution, along with a free gift when you open an account and refer a friend.

Gate City Bank has locations in Bismarck, Carrington, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Hettinger, Jamestown, Mandan, Minot, and more throughout North Dakota.

Hometown Credit Union

Hometown Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems, but they may check your credit to open an account.

To get started, you must open a member share savings account and maintain a $5 balance. Each checking account comes with a Visa debit card.

To become a member, you must live within a 75-mile radius of their Kulm office or within a 50-mile radius of their Hazelton office.

Hometown CU has branches in Ashley, Lincoln, and Medina.

Town and Country Credit Union

To open an account with Town and Country, you’ll need a credit score of 600 or higher.

Once approved, you can choose from Perks, Progress, or Premium Checking, which are based on your average daily balance.

Perks Checking is ideal if your balance is less than $300, and you may also qualify for courtesy pay and overdraft protection with credit approval.

This account comes with a free debit card, online banking with bill pay, and no monthly fees or minimum balance.

You can become a member if you live within a 75-mile radius of Minot, or within a 50-mile radius of Kenmare, Fargo, or Moorhead.

Branches are located in Fargo, Kenmare, Minot, Stanley, and West Fargo.

United Savings Credit Union

When you apply with United Savings, your credit report will be pulled instead of your ChexSystems record.

You can choose between Basic Checking or Advantage Checking, both of which come with no minimum balance, unlimited check writing, online bill pay, and a MasterCard debit card.

Advantage Checking, which costs $3.95 per month, also includes identity theft protection.

To qualify for membership, you must live within a 75-mile radius of United Savings’ Fargo branch.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo offers the Clear Access Banking account for individuals who may not qualify for traditional accounts due to financial history.

This checking account has a $25 minimum deposit and a $5 monthly fee, which is waivable for account holders aged 13-24.

The account also provides online bill pay, mobile banking, and access to over 13,000 ATMs nationwide.

In North Dakota, Wells Fargo has branches in Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Mandan, Minot, Valley City, Wahpeton, and West Fargo, with additional locations throughout the state.

Western State Bank

When you apply with Western State Bank, they perform a credit check instead of using ChexSystems.

You can choose from four checking accounts, including Free Checking, which has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

This account comes with a debit card, check writing, and online and mobile banking. Additionally, all accounts include free identity theft protection.

Western State Bank has branch locations in Devils Lake, Fargo, and West Fargo.