Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Virginia

Struggling to open a checking account in Virginia 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 Virginia

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

SoFi

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 4.60% 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 4.60% 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, and they can earn up to 15% cash back at local businesses when they make transactions with the SoFi debit card.

Chime

Our Second Pick

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.

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.

GO2bank

Features & Benefits

  • No ChexSystems or credit check
  • 4.50% APY on savings
  • Over 19,000 fee-free ATMs
  • $5 monthly fee can be waived

GO2bank is a neobank offered by Green Dot, a well-established financial technology company. Customers can open a checking account featuring subaccounts known as vaults without a minimum balance requirement.

GO2bank provides an attractive 4.50% APY on savings accounts for balances of up to $5,000. Access to funds is made easy through cash deposits at 90,000 retail locations and fee-free ATMs at 19,000 locations.

Additionally, customers can receive their pay up to 2 days in advance and government benefits up to 4 days early via direct deposit.

You can also opt for overdraft protection up to $200 with eligible direct deposits.

GO2bank offers the GO2bank Secured Visa Credit Card, which can assist customers in building their credit over time through responsible use.

The $5 monthly fee is waived when you receive payroll or government benefits through direct deposit.

Chase

Features & Benefits

  • $100 bonus after 10 purchases
  • No credit check or ChexSystems
  • Over 16,000+ fee-free ATMs
  • Over 4,700 branches nationwide
  • $4.95 monthly service fee

Chase offers a checking account called Chase Secure Banking. The account comes with a Chase debit card that gets you access to over 16,000 fee-free ATMs.

Some features of this checking account include free online bill pay, free money orders and cashier’s checks, no overdraft fees, and no minimum opening deposit. However, there is also a monthly service fee of $4.95.

When you open a Chase Secure Banking account and make 10 qualifying purchases within 60 days, you’ll get a $100 cash bonus.

Account approval is immediate, and the debit card typically arrives within days.

Benchmark Community Bank

Benchmark Community Bank doesn’t use systems like ChexSystems, so you could qualify for one of their checking accounts.

The BCB Free comes with no monthly checking account and no minimum balance. They also state that there are no special requirements to qualify for this account.

There are multiple Benchmark Community Bank locations throughout Virginia, including Blackstone, Chase City, Clarksville, Crewe, Emporia, Farmville, Halifax, Kenbridge, Lawrenceville, South Boston, South Hill, and Victoria.

Blue Grass Valley Bank

You just need a valid ID to qualify for an account with the Blue Grass Valley Bank, which has locations in Blue Grass and Monterey, Virginia.

The Regular Checking account is available with an opening deposit of just $20. There’s no monthly service fee and you get a Visa debit card along with the ability to order checks.

Though a small bank, Blue Grass Valley still keeps up to date with modern features like online banking and bill pay.

Carter Bank and Trust

Carter Bank and Trust is said to not use ChexSystems, meaning you could potentially qualify for a checking account.

The Lifetime Free Checking account has been around for 40 years and is truly free with no monthly charges and no minimum balance required.

Carter Bank and Trust also supplies you with a free MasterCard debit card and unlimited check writing.

There are Carter Bank and Trust branch locations throughout much of Virginia.

Central Virginia Federal Credit Union

Fresh Start Checking from Central Virginia Federal can help you re-establish your checking history. With just a low monthly fee and no minimum balance, you also get a free ATM card or Visa check card.

You can also opt in to direct deposit and payroll deduction services, plus you get unlimited check writing and transactions at CVFCU ATMs.

You can find branch locations in Lynchburg, Forest, and Madison Heights, plus shared branches in even more locations.

Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or goes to school in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell Counties, the City of Lynchburg, and the Towns of Bedford and Altavista.

You’ll pay a one-time membership fee of $5 and then need to make an additional $5 deposit into a CVFCU savings account.

Chartway Federal Credit Union

Get a fresh start with Chartway Federal’s Smart Choice Checking account, even if you have a history of non-sufficient funds at other financial institutions.

There’s a monthly fee and you need to maintain a minimum balance of $35. You get unlimited check writing and if you sign up for direct deposit, you’ll also get a Visa check card.

There are branch locations in Norfolk and Suffolk and you can also take advantage of shared branch locations across the country.

Chesapeake Bank

Try applying for a checking account with Chesapeake Bank, as they use Telecheck rather than ChexSystems. The most basic account is myChecking 1, which requires an opening deposit of $100.

The monthly fee is $5 but you can get this waived if you maintain a $500 average daily balance or meet two of the following requirements:

  • Direct deposit
  • Online banking with e-statements
  • One debit card transaction each month
  • Text banking

Your daily limit is $2,500 for point of sales transactions and $300 for ATM withdrawals. You can find multiple Chesapeake Bank branches in the following regions of Virginia: Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, Williamsburg, and Richmond.

CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union

CommonWealth One FCU offers Second Chance Checking for individuals who need a fresh start in taking control over their finances. The goal is to help you get back on your feet and eliminate expensive check cashing services.

To find out the full details of the account and apply, you’ll need to head to a branch. Branch locations include Alexandria and Harrisonburg.

Membership with CommonWealth One FCU can be obtained by applying online. You’ll need to deposit $5 into a savings account with the credit union.

Healthcare Systems Federal Credit Union

The Renew Account from Healthcare Systems Federal is a second chance checking opportunity designed for those who want to rebuild their checking history.

There’s a $10 monthly fee, and with that, you receive a Visa debit card, online and mobile banking services. If you manage your account successfully for 12 months, you can convert to a regular checking account with HSFCU.

There are two branches, which are located in Inova Fairfax Hospital and Novant Health Prince William Hospital. To become a member, you must work in the healthcare industry or a hospital in Virginia, the District of Columbia, or Maryland’s Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties.

InTouch Credit Union

InTouch Credit Union

Fresh Start Checking from InTouch helps you reestablish your checking history. Start by becoming a credit union and depositing $5 into a savings account. Then you’ll need to deposit $50 into your checking account. To maintain the account, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee of $14.95.

There are plenty of perks you get with the Fresh Start Checking account, including online and mobile banking, digital wallets through Apple Pay and Masterpass, and access to Popmoney.

Main Street Bank

Main Street Bank utilizes Telecheck rather than ChexSystems when evaluating new applications. There are two Kasasa Checking options. The Kasasa Cash lets you earn interest on your deposits while the Kasasa Cash Back offers cash back on your purchases made with funds from your account.

Main Street Bank branches can be found throughout Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Herndon, McLean, Clarendon, and Leesburg.

Member One Federal Credit Union

If you’ve had trouble getting a checking account at other banks or credit unions, you may qualify for Member One FCU’s Smart Choice Checking account. To learn more about the details of the account, you’ll need to either call or apply directly in a branch.

You can find locations throughout southwest Virginia, particularly in Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Christiansburg. To be eligible for membership, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in Altavista, Franklin County, Montgomery County, Radford, or Vinton.

You could also be eligible if you’re connected to one of the following areas: Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Forest, Lynchburg, Pittsylvania County, Roanoke, or Salem.

Old Point National Bank

Old Point National Bank uses Telecheck, not ChexSystems to determine eligibility for checking accounts. Their Free Checking account doesn’t have a monthly fee and only requires a $25 opening deposit. Plus, there’s no minimum balance to worry about.

To apply for an account, contact one of Old Point National Bank’s locations in Newport News, Williamsburg, Norfolk, or Chesapeake.

Pioneer Bank

Pioneer Bank reportedly uses Telecheck rather than ChexSystems, so you could qualify for an account even if you have records in ChexSystems. The Pioneer Free Checking account is a low-cost, basic option to consider.

The opening deposit is $100, but then you don’t have to worry about a minimum balance or monthly fee. It does, however, require online banking and electronic statements.

There are multiple Pioneer Bank branches, including those in Stanley, Luray, Shenandoah, Stanardsville, Harrisonburg, Ruckersville, and Charlottesville.

United Bank

United Bank doesn’t use ChexSystems or a credit report to approve applicants. They offer three different checking accounts: United Free Checking, Platinum Checking, or United Rewards Checking.

United Free Checking has no minimum balance requirement and doesn’t charge a monthly fee. You will need a $50 deposit to open your account.

United Southeast Federal Credit Union

United Southeast Federal is another option that uses Telecheck rather than ChexSystems. The Basic Checking account costs $2 per month but comes with a number of features. These include no required minimum balance, a free Visa debit card, and even free overdraft protection.

To become a member of USFCU in Virginia, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in either Loudon County or Russell County. You can also be eligible by working for one of their select employers. Locations include Abingdon, Lebanon, and Bristol.

Woodforest National Bank

Woodforest offers a second chance bank account to members at over 700 branches in 17 states.

The minimum opening deposit is just $25 and you’ll also have to pay a one-time setup fee of $9.

It also comes with a monthly fee of $11.95. You can get it reduced to $9.95 by enrolling in direct deposit. Another small fee is a paper statement fee of $3 per month. It can be waived completely by signing up for e-statements.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Chime generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

7. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.