Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in South Carolina

If you’ve had banking issues in South Carolina, ChexSystems could be making things worse. Most banks use it to screen applicants, which means even small mistakes can lead to denials.

Fortunately, some banks in South Carolina don’t use ChexSystems. Others offer second chance accounts that give you a shot at getting back into the financial system.

14 Banks in South Carolina That Don’t Use ChexSystems

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.

Current

Our Top Pick

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

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.

SoFi

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.80% APY on savings
  • Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs

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.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Credit Builder Card with no interest, fees, or credit pull
  • Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
  • Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs

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.

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 Gaffney, Greenville, 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 for individuals who need help rebuilding their banking history.

The account has a $10.95 monthly service fee, which can be lowered to $7.95 with qualifying direct deposit.

It includes overdraft protection, a free Visa debit card, access to online and mobile banking, and no minimum balance requirement.

Skyla Credit Union has a branch location 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.