Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Ohio

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.

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.

The account includes features like free online and mobile banking, a Visa debit card, and access to shared branches and ATMs nationwide.

There is a $10 monthly fee, and after maintaining the account in good standing for 12 months, members are eligible to transition to a Free Checking account.

Additionally, BMI Federal Credit Union provides financial education resources to help members improve their money management skills.

Branch locations for BMI Federal Credit Union include Dublin, Westerville, and multiple branches in Columbus.

The account includes a free debit card, online banking, no minimum balance requirement, and up to $1,000 in overdraft protection.

To open the account, you must complete a checking account management course and make a $40 opening deposit. After six months without an overdraft, you become eligible for an ATM card.

BSCU has branch locations in Akron, Alliance, Canton, Cleveland, and Hartville, Ohio.

You’ll enjoy perks like free online banking and ATM transactions, though direct deposit is required.

This account includes a debit card but doesn’t come with checks. After 12 months of good account management, you can apply for traditional checking.

Branch locations are available in Ashtabula, Austintown, Kirtland, Mayfield Heights, Mentor, and Willoughby.

The account comes with no minimum balance requirements and a monthly service fee of $6.99 if you opt for direct deposit, or $8.99 without it.

You also benefit from having two non-sufficient funds waived, along with free access to online and mobile banking, bill pay, text banking, and mobile deposit.

City National serves multiple states, with branch locations in Ohio, including Chesapeake, Ironton, Proctorville, and Worthington.

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.

The account has a monthly fee of $8 and does not include overdraft protection, but after a year of responsible account management, you can upgrade to a regular account.

Hopewell has branches in Heath, Newark, and Johnstown, and you can begin the membership application online to check your eligibility.

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.

The account includes unlimited check writing, a debit card, and no minimum balance requirement.

The monthly fee is $10.95, but you can lower it to $8.95 by setting up direct deposits of $500 or more each month.

You can upgrade to Hassle Free Checking after meeting one of these criteria: 12 consecutive months with fewer than 12 NSF notices, or six consecutive months with fewer than six NSF notices and completing an online money management course.

KEMBA has branches in Clintonville, Gahanna, Grove City, Hamilton Quarter, Hilliard, Lewis Center, Pickerington, Powell, Reynoldsburg, Westerville, and Whitehall.

The monthly fee is $8, but there’s no minimum balance required. The account also comes with free online banking, bill pay, and a debit card.

To help members build good financial habits, after 12 months of responsible use, LCNB will assist you in transitioning to a standard checking account. You’ll also have access to free mobile banking, eStatements, and FDIC insurance.

You can find branch locations in Centerville, Cincinnati, Fairfield, Hamilton, Lebanon, Loveland, Mason, Middletown, Monroe, and Springboro, as well as other locations across the region.

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.

The TRUST account is structured for members who want basic checking services with fewer restrictions.

The Alternative Checking account may include more requirements or limitations, depending on the applicant’s history.

Features for both accounts typically include debit card access, online banking, and direct deposit.

To apply, you must contact the Member Service Department to review your eligibility and determine which account fits your situation.

Members Trust serves residents in select areas and has its main office in Mason, Ohio.

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.

The account has a $10 monthly fee and includes basic features like a debit card, online banking, and direct deposit.

To qualify for an upgrade to Regular Checking, you must complete the Check Right program, avoid excessive NSF fees, and maintain a positive balance for 12 consecutive months.

The upgrade removes the monthly fee and provides access to additional features.

Sun Federal has branch locations in Maumee, Oregon, and Toledo, Ohio.

This account comes with a debit card but does not include checks, courtesy pay, or ATM deposits.

Despite these restrictions, the monthly fee is only $5, and there’s no required minimum balance to maintain.

You’ll also get free online and mobile banking, along with fee-free withdrawals at MoneyPass and Alliance One ATMs.

After a year of responsible account management, you can upgrade to a standard checking account that includes check-writing privileges.

Superior Federal has branches in Defiance, Fostoria, Lima, St. Mary’s, Sylvania, Tiffin, Toledo, Troy, Van Wert, and Wapakoneta, along with several other locations.

There’s a $15 monthly fee, but you receive a free Visa debit card and check-writing abilities.

Membership is required to access this account, and Universal One participates in shared branches and ATMs, giving you account access at thousands of locations nationwide.

Branch locations can be found in Beavercreek, Chillicothe, Dayton, Huber Heights, Miamisburg, Sidney, Sugarcreek Township, and Vandalia.

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.