Have you tried to open a checking account in Pennsylvania, but can’t get approved? It’s probably because you have a negative listing in ChexSystems. Most banks in Pennsylvania use ChexSystems to review your banking history.
Fortunately, you still have options. There are several banks that don’t use ChexSystems during the application process, and others that offer second chance checking.
Non-ChexSystems & Second Chance Banks in Pennsylvania
Take a look at this comprehensive list of banks and credit unions in Pennsylvania that either don’t use ChexSystems, or offer second chance checking accounts.
Chime
Features & Benefits
- Over 14.5 million downloads
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- No minimum opening deposit
- Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs
Chase
Features & Benefits
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- $100 bonus after 10 purchases in 60 days
- Over 16,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Over 4,700 branches nationwide
- $4.95 monthly service fee
Current
Features & Benefits
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- No minimum balance or hidden fees
- Fee-free overdraft up to $200 with Overdrive
- 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
- Get paid up to 2 days faster
Axos Bank
The Rewards Checking account from Axos Bank is an excellent choice for those looking for a bank account with no monthly maintenance fees, unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements, and cash back rewards.
Aspiration
Aspiration’s Spend & Save Account is a hybrid checking and savings account that is entirely online. There’s a $10 minimum opening deposit to get started.
With an Aspiration debit card, you get unlimited fee-free withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs and one out-of-network ATM reimbursement per month. You can also get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.
You can earn up to 5.00% APY when you spend $1,000/month and deposits are FDIC insured.
Corporate America Family Federal Credit Union
Members of Corporate America Family Federal can apply for Fresh Start Checking. You’re required to keep $100 in your Regular Share Account and the monthly fee is $10.
You can also sign up to take an online class called Get In Balance. Use it to learn the most effective ways to become a successful account holder.
Sun Federal Credit Union
Fresh Start Checking is available at Sun Federal. The fee is $10 a month. Once you keep your account in good standing for a full 12 months, you can request your account be reviewed and considered for an upgrade to Regular Checking.
In order to qualify, you’ll also need to complete CheckRight, which is a self-study online course that helps you learn how to better manage your money.
You won’t find a Sun Federal branch in Pennsylvania, but there are plenty of co-op-shared branches as well as fee-free ATMs throughout the state.
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Utilities Employees has a second chance account called Advantages Green Light Checking. The minimum opening deposit is $25 and the monthly fee is $12.
This account comes with a few unique perks, including free credit counseling to help you rebuild your credit score along with your checking history. You also get a cash card to use at ATMs, plus a monthly $8 reimbursement for ATM surcharges.
After you use the account for six months without incurring any non-sufficient funds fees, UECU allows you to upgrade your account to Advantages Checking.
Membership is open to any employee in the utility or energy industry, as well as their families. They’re located in Wyomissing with a wide ATM network across the state.
West Branch Valley Federal Credit Union
West Branch Valley Federal has a Back on Track Checking account for anyone who has a history in ChexSystems, bad credit, or a bankruptcy. As long as you don’t have a history of fraud, you could qualify.
You get a Visa check card, online banking, and you can access ATMs, and use other typical checking features.
The most common path to membership is by living, working, conducting business in, worshiping, volunteering, or going to school in Lycoming County. Their branch is located in Williamsport.
Woodforest National Bank
Woodforest offers a second chance bank account to members at over 700 branches in 17 states.
The minimum opening deposit is just $25 and you’ll also have to pay a one-time setup fee of $9.
It also comes with a monthly fee of $11.95. You can get it reduced to $9.95 by enrolling in direct deposit. Another small fee is a paper statement fee of $3 per month. It can be waived completely by signing up for e-statements.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.
1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Chime generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
7. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
Non-ChexSystems Banks by State
Looking for more information and additional options available in your area? Select your state from the list below to find out all your options for banking.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming