Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Ohio

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.

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.

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.

Most applicants will qualify for New Advantage Checking, which requires a $100 minimum opening deposit but has no monthly fee.

The bank offers online banking and a mobile app called CardValet, allowing you to manage your debit card from your phone. You can also access your funds through any MoneyPass ATM.

Antwerp Exchange Bank has locations in Antwerp, Harlan, and Payne.

You must not have any charge-offs or unpaid collections on your credit report, no recent TeleCheck records (within the past three months), and no unpaid balances over $500.

You can qualify for membership if you live, work, worship, or attend school in Lake or Cuyahoga County, or if you’re employed by a Select Employer Group.

Branch locations are in Euclid, Wickliffe, and Willoughby Hills.

The monthly fee is $5 but can be waived if you set up direct deposit. The account includes unlimited check writing, free digital banking, and a free Visa debit card.

To become a member, you’ll need to deposit $5 into a share savings account and meet the residency or affiliation requirements within specific areas of Huron, Erie, Sandusky, and Seneca counties.

Branches are located in Bellevue, Bucyrus, Galion, Monroeville, Norwalk, and Sandusky.

Their Regular Checking account is the easiest to access, with no minimum balance and a small monthly fee, offering unlimited check writing.

Students and seniors can take advantage of free checking options, while interest-bearing accounts are available for those with balances of $1,000 or $2,500.

They have locations in Christiansburg, Rosewood, St. Paris, and Urbana.

Their Thrifty Checking account offers mobile banking and a debit card for a low $2.50 monthly fee, which is waived if you maintain a balance of at least $150.

There’s no minimum balance if you choose to pay the fee. All accounts provide access to their mobile app through the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

First Federal Bank of Ohio has branches in Galion, Mt. Gilead, Cardington, Mansfield, Shelby, Sandusky, and Tiffin.

Their Basic Checking offers standard features like online and mobile banking, a debit card, bill pay, and e-statements.

The account has a $7 monthly fee, but this fee is waived if you maintain a $100 minimum balance, sign up for direct deposit, or are under 25 years old.

You can find branches in Newark, Granville, Heath, Pataskala, and Gahanna.

For a $5 monthly service charge, customers benefit from access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs, a free contactless debit card, and online banking tools. A $25 deposit is required to open the account.

First Financial Bank has several locations throughout Ohio, including branches in Bexley, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Delphos, Fairfield, Huber Heights, Upper Arlington, Wilmington, and Worthington.

You can open an account with just $25 and choose between Free Kasasa Cash or Free Kasasa Cash Back, both of which come with no monthly fees and rewards without a minimum balance requirement.

Membership is open to anyone living, working, worshiping, or attending school in Ohio. IH Credit Union has locations in Beavercreek, Springfield, and Urbana.

To qualify, your ChexSystems records must be at least six months old, and you can only have one open record of no more than $500, with no history of fraud.

Membership is available to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Lorain County, as well as the cities of Bay Village, Rocky River, or Westlake. LorMet has branch locations in Amherst, Avon Lake, Elyria, and Wellington.

There’s no monthly fee or minimum balance required, and you can get started with either a $25 opening deposit or by enrolling with direct deposit.

They also provide a self-study course called CheckRight, which teaches budgeting and account management skills.

Branches are located in Athens and Logan, Ohio.

To open an account, you’ll need a $50 deposit, social security number, and a government-issued ID. If you’re listed in ChexSystems, you may need to show proof of any resolved debts with previous financial institutions.

The monthly fee is $12.95, but can be reduced if you sign up for direct deposit or complete at least 20 debit transactions per month.

The account includes free internet banking, bill pay, unlimited check writing, and access to fee-free ATM transactions at Republic Bank, Presto, Sum, MoneyPass, or Allpoint ATMs.

Republic Bank has branches in Cincinnati and West Chester.

Their Basic Checking option comes with no monthly fee, no service charge for checks, and no minimum balance. You also get 100 free checks each year.

However, there are a few limitations, such as a $2,000 daily limit on purchases and a $600 limit for daily ATM withdrawals.

Sharefax Credit Union has locations in Batavia, Cincinnati, Evendale, Lebanon, Mason, and Milford.

If approved, the Regular Checking option offers unlimited check writing, a free debit card, and access to online banking and bill pay. Some members may also qualify for overdraft protection.

To open the account, you must become a member by opening a share savings account with a $25 deposit. Membership is available to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Erie County.

Branches are located in Huron, Sandusky, Vermillion, and Norwalk.