Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Tennessee

A flagged ChexSystems record can make it difficult to open a checking account in Tennessee. If your report shows overdrafts, unpaid fees, or closed accounts, some banks may deny your application before looking any further.

Tennessee has banks and credit unions that may give you a better path forward. Some don’t use ChexSystems during account approval, while second chance checking accounts can help you rebuild access to everyday banking.

13 Banks in Tennessee That Don’t Use ChexSystems

Below are Tennessee banks and credit unions that may offer checking accounts without relying on ChexSystems as the main approval screen.

You can also review second chance banks in Tennessee for accounts that can help you move forward after past banking issues.

SoFi

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $400 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.30% 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 3.30% 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 $400 when you set up qualifying direct deposits.

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

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.

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 47,000 fee-free 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 47,000 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit with the Chime Card, a secured Visa credit card with no annual fees, no interest charges, and no credit check required.

Direct deposit users can get paid up to two days early, and cash deposits are free at over 8,500 Walgreens locations.

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.

Foundation Bank

Foundation Bank offers checking accounts that may be available without a ChexSystems review or credit report.

This can make Foundation Bank a potential option for customers who have had trouble getting approved elsewhere because of past banking issues.

Its checking accounts include everyday banking features such as debit card access, online banking, mobile banking, bill pay, direct deposit, and ATM access.

Foundation Bank keeps a community banking footprint, which may appeal to customers who want local service rather than a large national bank.

Customers can visit Foundation Bank offices in Alamo, Buchanan, Jackson, McKenzie, Obion, and Paris.

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.

Synovus Bank

Synovus Bank does not use ChexSystems when reviewing new checking account applications.

Instead, they may review your Equifax credit report and credit score, and applicants generally need a credit score of at least 500 to be considered.

If approved, you can choose from several checking options, including Free Checking, Preferred Checking, and Gold Checking. Military members may also qualify for Military Interest Checking.

The Free Checking account requires a $100 opening deposit, but it does not have a monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirement.

It also includes a Visa debit card, online and mobile banking, mobile check deposit, and bill pay.

Synovus branches are located in Brentwood, Chattanooga, and Nashville.

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.

Know a bank we missed?

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