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 $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
• Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through December 30, 2024. 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.

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 ATM 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 4.14% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

Upgrade is partnered with Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and your funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. With an Upgrade checking account, you can also get up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

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 4.00% 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 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.

With Current, your everyday purchases can now shape your financial future. Simply by swiping your debit card, you can build credit. No loans or credit checks needed. There are also no monthly or annual fees for this service.

A Current mobile bank account includes fee-free overdraft protection of up to $200. Account holders 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.

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.

First Tech Federal Credit Union offers an attractive banking solution that goes beyond traditional constraints, providing members with a combination of high-yield interest and multiple financial incentives across its platforms.

With the First Tech Rewards Checking & Savings accounts, there are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees.

These accounts offer competitive interest rates, with the potential to earn up to 3.50% APY on both checking and savings accounts, depending on the balance—significantly higher than many conventional banks.

Additionally, First Tech offers extensive accessibility with over 30,000 CO-OP network ATMs nationwide for fee-free withdrawals.

The credit union also ensures enhanced financial security and flexibility with features like real-time fraud monitoring and free overdraft transfers.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.