Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Texas

In Texas, a ChexSystems report can seriously limit your banking options. Many banks won’t approve you if you’ve had past account closures or unpaid balances.

The good news is that Texas has a wide selection of second chance banks and some that don’t use ChexSystems at all—so it’s still possible to open a checking account and move forward.

14 Banks in Texas That Don’t Use ChexSystems

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Texas 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 4.50% 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 are entitled to an annual percentage yield (APY) of 4.50% on their savings and 0.50% 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.

American Airlines Credit Union

American Airlines Credit Union offers Ascend Checking for airline industry employees working to rebuild their banking history.

The account includes mobile banking, online account management, and helpful financial tools.

The monthly fee is $12.75 but drops to $9.75 with direct deposit. Checks are not available, and you must complete a free credit education course to qualify.

Branches are available in DFW Airport, Euless, Fort Worth, Hurst, Irving, and Southlake.

Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank offers several checking accounts that don’t use ChexSystems, providing a flexible solution for those who need it.

Minimum opening deposits range from $25 to $1,000, depending on the account.

Many of the accounts come with features like a free debit card, online banking, and bill pay, and you can even have the monthly fees waived by meeting specific criteria.

Cadence Bank has branches in several cities across Texas, including Austin, Copperas Cove, Dallas, Fort Worth, Georgetown, Houston, Killeen, Longview, Plano, and Temple, and more throughout the state.

Chemcel Federal Credit Union

Chemcel Federal Credit Union offers checking accounts that rely on Telecheck rather than ChexSystems, providing a viable alternative for those looking for flexible options.

You can choose from Free Kasasa Cash Back Checking and Free Kasasa Tunes Checking, both of which come with no monthly maintenance fees and offer up to a $25 refund on ATM fees each month.

The minimum opening deposit for either account is just $25, with occasional promotions that may waive this amount.

Chemcel FCU has branches in several Texas cities, including Alice, Bay City, Bishop, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, and Pasadena.

City Credit Union

City Credit Union offers Basic Checking and uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems when reviewing applications.

The account is free to open with a $25 minimum deposit and has no monthly service fees.

Features include online and mobile banking, free cashier’s checks, free notary services, and optional overdraft protection. Members also receive a Visa debit card and access to shared branch and ATM networks.

City Credit Union has branch locations in Dallas, Duncanville, Gainesville, Sherman, and Waxahachie, Texas. Membership is available based on where you live, work, worship, or attend school.

Pantex Federal Credit Union

Pantex Federal Credit Union relies on your credit report for account approval, rather than using Telecheck or ChexSystems.

Their checking account comes with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and includes features like automatic overdraft protection, free check safekeeping, and 24/7 access through online and mobile banking.

You can earn interest on your average daily balance, and there are no fees per check. Opening an account requires just $50.

Members also have access to eight local ATMs and over 64,000 surcharge-free ATMs worldwide through the Allpoint network.

Pantex FCU has branches in Borger, Fritch, and Pampa.

PrimeWay Federal Credit Union

PrimeWay Federal Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems to review applications, making it more accessible for individuals with past banking issues.

It offers multiple checking and savings account options with different features based on your financial goals.

Accounts include online and mobile banking, access to fee-free ATMs, and tools like bill pay and direct deposit. Some accounts may also offer overdraft protection or rewards, depending on eligibility.

PrimeWay has branch locations in Cypress, Houston, Missouri City, and Sugar Land, Texas. Membership is available to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in select areas.

River City Federal Credit Union

River City Federal Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems for account approvals.

However, they also offer a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking.

The account comes with a small monthly service fee but includes all the benefits of their standard accounts. This account allows you to rebuild your financial history while taking advantage of their modern banking tools, including online and mobile banking.

River City FCU has six branches in San Antonio and provides access to CO-OP shared branches nationwide.

Shell Federal Credit Union

Shell Federal Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems for account approvals.

For those needing to reestablish their banking history, Shell FCU offers the Boost Checking account.

This account requires only a $1 initial deposit and has a $10 monthly service charge. Members enjoy features like a free debit card, free overdraft protection, free digital banking, and no minimum balance requirement.

Additionally, members have access to free ATM withdrawals through the Allpoint network and Shell FCU branches.

Shell FCU has branches in several Texas cities, including Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Humble, Katy, La Porte, Pasadena, Pearland, Spring, and Tomball.

Smart Financial Credit Union

Smart Financial Credit Union uses Telecheck for screening new applicants and offers three types of checking accounts.

Each account requires a different minimum deposit, but all include modern conveniences like bill pay, mobile and online access, and remote deposit.

The monthly service charge is $10, which can be waived with a direct deposit of $500 or more each month.

Smart Financial Credit Union has branches in several cities across Texas, including Conroe, Houston, Katy, Kingwood, Magnolia, Pearland, Spring, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands.

Texas Bay Area Credit Union

Texas Bay Area Credit Union uses Telecheck instead of credit reports or ChexSystems to screen new applicants.

Their checking account is entirely free and includes perks like free mobile and online banking, remote deposit, a free debit card, and Apple Pay.

Members also have access to the Allpoint Surcharge-free ATM network, which has over 64,000 ATMs worldwide.

Texas Bay Area Credit Union has branches in several cities across Texas, including Cypress, Houston, Katy, League City, Pasadena, Pearland, and Richmond.

Texas Gulf Bank

Texas Gulf Bank uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems to evaluate new account applications, which may help if you’ve had issues with past banking activity.

The bank offers several personal checking account options, including accounts with unlimited check writing, interest-earning potential, and money management tools like online banking and account alerts.

Some accounts may also include overdraft protection and debit card access.

Texas Gulf Bank has branches in Angleton, Clute, Freeport, Friendswood, Houston, Lake Jackson, and West Columbia, serving customers throughout Southeast Texas.