Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Tennessee

If ChexSystems has flagged your banking history, opening a checking account in Tennessee can feel like hitting a wall. Most banks won’t approve you if they see negative marks like overdrafts or unpaid fees.

But there’s hope. Tennessee has banks that don’t use ChexSystems and others that offer second chance checking accounts designed to help you rebuild.

12 Banks in Tennessee That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Tennessee 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 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.

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

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% 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.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • Over 22 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.

Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank offers several checking accounts that don’t require ChexSystems.

The minimum opening deposit for these accounts ranges from $25 to $1,000, and some accounts allow you to waive the monthly fee by meeting certain conditions.

Each account includes essential features such as a free debit card, online banking, and bill pay.

Cadence Bank locations can be found in the following cities: Bartlett, Brentwood, Chattanooga, Franklin, Jackson, Memphis, Milan, Nolensville, Selmer, and Trenton.

Commercial Bank and Trust

Commercial Bank and Trust reviews each applicant’s credit report and requires a credit score of at least 600 for approval, as long as the report doesn’t have too many negative entries.

They offer three checking options. The Simply Free Checking requires a $50 opening deposit, but has no minimum balance requirement.

It includes free eStatements, bill pay, online and mobile banking with remote deposit, and a free debit card.

Commercial Bank and Trust operates in Jackson, Memphis, Paris, and Union City.

First South Financial Credit Union

First South Financial Credit Union uses a credit report instead of ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS for new applications.

They offer several checking options. The Standard Checking account includes free online and mobile banking, eStatements, bill pay, a debit card, and overdraft protection options.

There is a low minimum balance requirement to avoid monthly fees, but for specific details, applicants should consult with a member representative.

First South Financial has branches in Atoka, Bartlett, Collierville, Cordova, Dyersburg, Jackson, Memphis, Millington, and Nashville.

FSNB

FSNB allows account opening without ChexSystems or credit checks, making it easy to start with a $5 deposit.

Checking accounts come with a Visa check card, free online and text banking with bill pay, and an interest-bearing option if a minimum balance is maintained.

Other perks include fee-free ATM transactions at FSNB locations, mobile banking, free e-statements, and no charge for cashier checks and money orders. Customers also receive one free box of standard checks each quarter.

FSNB has locations in Antioch, Clarksville, Collierville, Cookeville, Cordova, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville.

Highland Federal

Highland Federal does not use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or a credit report to evaluate new applications.

As long as you can provide two forms of ID, one being government-issued, and have no outstanding debt with Highland, your application may be approved.

They offer four checking account options, with Free Choice Checking being the most popular. This account has no monthly fees and includes a free first box of checks.

You’ll also get free online banking, free bill pay, and a free MasterCard debit card. A $100 minimum deposit and an email address are required to open the account.

Highland Federal operates two locations in Crossville.

Hope Credit Union

Hope Credit Union reviews ChexSystems, but is more lenient with negative entries compared to other banks.

Applicants with a credit score of at least 600 and no outstanding debt to Hope Community are generally approved for an account.

They offer five different checking account options, with some requiring a $25 minimum balance and a $9.95 monthly fee, which is waived if the account maintains a balance of $200 or more.

All checking accounts come with unlimited paperless transactions, free online and mobile banking, free eStatements, and overdraft protection options.

Hope CU has four locations in Memphis.

Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union

Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union doesn’t use ChexSystems, but instead runs a credit report for each application.

To open an account, you can apply online with a minimum deposit of $5. There’s no monthly service fee unless the account holder opts for paper statements, in which case it’s $2 per month.

This account comes with free mobile and online banking, remote deposit, free bill pay, and free access to over 64,000 ATMs worldwide.

Branches are located in the following cities: Alcoa, Bristol, Johnson City, Kingsport, Knoxville, Lenoir City, Maryville, Morristown, Powell, and Sevierville. There are also additional locations in other areas.

Renasant Bank

Renasant Bank uses ChexSystems, but it has built a reputation for being more lenient with negative records than other banks.

As long as there isn’t a history of fraud and the applicant does not owe any money to Renasant, you may open an account.

Checking accounts come with online and mobile banking (including remote deposit), bill pay, a free Visa debit card, and Renasant’s Mobile Wallet, which currently works with Zelle, Apple Pay, Apple Pay Cash, and Google Pay.

Renasant Bank has branches in Bartlett, Collierville, Franklin, Germantown, Hermitage, Johnson City, Knoxville, Maryville, Memphis, and Nashville. They also have other locations across the state.

United Southeast Federal Credit Union

United Southeast Federal Credit Union uses Telecheck to screen applicants, which can be helpful for those who have had trouble opening accounts at banks that use ChexSystems.

Their Premier Checking account offers benefits like identity theft protection, accidental death insurance, travel discounts, warranty protection, shopping rewards, and health savings discounts.

Additionally, you get free online and mobile banking with remote deposit, bill pay, eStatements, and one free box of checks each year.

While there’s no minimum balance requirement, the account has a $5.95 monthly fee. United Southeast has locations in Bristol and Johnson City.