Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in South Carolina

Struggling to open a checking account in South Carolina due to a negative ChexSystems listing?

While most banks use ChexSystems to review your banking history, there are some that don’t. Additionally, some banks offer second checking accounts.

Non-ChexSystems & Second Chance Banks in South Carolina

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

Upgrade

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Up to 4.14% APY on savings
  • Up to 2% cash back
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • No monthly fees or overdraft fees

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.

SoFi

Our Second Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 4.00% APY on savings
  • Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs

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

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
  • No credit check or ChexSystems

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.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • Over 14.5 million downloads
  • No credit check or ChexSystems
  • No minimum opening deposit
  • Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs

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

Features & Benefits

  • Up to $300 sign-up bonus with direct deposit
  • Earn up to 3.50% APY
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • Over 30,000 fee-free ATMs

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.

Caro Federal Credit Union

Caro Federal Credit Union offers a second chance option called Rebound Checking.

To open the account, you’ll need a one-time deposit of $25, and while there’s no minimum balance requirement, direct deposit is required, along with a $15 monthly fee.

After maintaining the account in good standing for a set period, you may be eligible to transfer to a standard checking account.

Caro operates two branches in Columbia and one in Greenville.

Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union

Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called Refresh Checking. This account has no minimum balance requirement and provides free online banking, bill pay, and a free Visa debit card.

Direct deposit is required to open the account, and there is a $9.99 monthly service charge. Additionally, the account includes identity theft resolution services with credit file monitoring (registration and activation required).

Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union has branches in Greenville, Gaffney, Mauldin, and Spartanburg.

Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union

Carolina Trust offers a second chance checking account called Encore Checking.

While there is a monthly service fee, you can transfer to a free checking account after maintaining a positive balance for 12 months. Additionally, after just six months, you can upgrade your ATM card to a Visa debit card.

Carolina Trust operates seven locations in Conway, Johnsonville, Lake City, Little River, Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach.

First Reliance Bank

First Reliance Bank offers Simple Checking accounts to everyone, regardless of their credit report, ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS history.

To open an account, you’ll need an initial deposit of $25. There’s no monthly fee if you opt for eStatements, but if not, a $5 fee applies.

The account includes free online and mobile banking, automatic bill pay, and a debit card. You’ll also have access to thousands of ATMs worldwide at no cost.

First Reliance Bank has branches in Florence, Lexington, West Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Loris, Summerville, Winston-Salem, Greenville, Taylors, Simpsonville, Myrtle Beach, and Mooresville.

Founders Federal Credit Union

Founders Federal Credit Union uses credit reports instead of ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS records. Additionally, each applicant must have a government-issued ID.

Account holders receive a free Visa debit card, and there are no monthly fees.

To become a member, applicants must live, work, study, volunteer, or worship in Chester County, Chesterfield County, Laurens County, Town of Wellford, Town of Duncan, or Union County.

Eligibility can also be granted to applicants with family members who are already members or if the applicant works, volunteers, or retired at participating companies.

Founders Federal Credit Union has branches in Catawba, Charlotte, Chester, Fort Mill, Great Falls, Indian Land, Lancaster, Richburg, Rock Hill, and York.

HopeSouth Federal Credit Union

HopeSouth Federal Credit Union offers a Fresh Start Checking account for those with previous issues in their checking history.

To learn about the qualifications and monthly fees, interested individuals are encouraged to contact a HopeSouth representative.

While the account does come with a monthly fee, once you’ve maintained a positive account history for a specified time, you can apply for a standard checking account. The basic checking account is fee-free and has no minimum balance requirement.

HopeSouth has one branch located in Abbeville.

Skyla Credit Union

Skyla Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking, which includes a monthly service fee of $10.95. This fee can be reduced to $7.95 with direct deposit.

The account also features overdraft protection, a free Visa debit card, and no minimum balance requirement.

Skyla Credit Union has a branch in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

TD Bank

TD Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems, offering a great option for individuals who may have had trouble with banking in the past.

They feature several checking accounts, including TD Complete Checking, TD Beyond Checking, and TD Essential Banking.

  • TD Complete Checking has a $15 monthly fee that can be waived through direct deposits or other criteria.
  • TD Beyond Checking offers premium benefits like interest and no ATM fees, with a $25 monthly fee that can be waived by maintaining a minimum daily balance.
  • TD Essential Banking, with a $4.95 monthly fee, is a checkless option suited for simpler banking needs.

TD Bank has locations in many cities across South Carolina, including Aiken, Anderson, Bluffton, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, and more.

Upstate Federal Credit Union

Upstate Federal Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking, which requires a $100 minimum balance to open the account.

To avoid a monthly service fee, account holders must maintain a balance of $100. The account comes with an ATM card only, providing a simple option for those looking to reestablish their banking history.

Upstate Federal Credit Union has branches in Anderson, Honea Path, Starr, and Williamston, South Carolina.

Vital Federal Credit Union

Vital Federal Credit Union offers a Fresh Start Checking account with a $15 monthly service charge and no minimum balance requirement.

Direct deposit is required, and after maintaining the account in good standing for a set period, you can transfer to a basic checking account. All accounts are federally insured up to $250,000.

To become a member, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Spartanburg County, or have a family member who is already a member. Vital has one location in Spartanburg.

Woodforest National Bank

Woodforest National Bank offers a second chance checking account designed to help individuals rebuild their banking history.

To open an account, a minimum deposit of $25 is required, making it accessible for most individuals. There is also a one-time setup fee of $9 when the account is opened.

Afterward, the account comes with a monthly maintenance fee of $11.95, which can be reduced to $9.95 by enrolling in direct deposit.

For those who prefer paper statements, there is a $3 monthly fee, but this can be waived entirely by opting for e-statements, helping users further reduce costs and manage their accounts digitally.

Woodforest National Bank has branches in several South Carolina cities, including Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Summerville, and Sumter.