Struggling to open a checking account in Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Washington, DC banks and credit unions that allow anyone to open a checking account, regardless of their banking history.
Chime
Features & Benefits
- Over 14.5 million downloads
- No credit check or ChexSystems
- No minimum opening deposit
- Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs
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
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
Current
Features & Benefits
- No minimum balance or monthly fees
- Fee-free overdraft up to $200 with Overdrive
- 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
- Get paid up to 2 days faster
- No credit check or ChexSystems
CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union
CommonWealth One Federal offers Second Chance Checking to help you get a fresh start with your finances. In order to get more details and apply for an account, you’ll have to visit a branch in person.
There are branches throughout the Washington, DC metro area in Alexandria and Springfield. If you’re a GAO employee, you can access their on-site private branch.
The easiest way to join is if you live, work, worship, or go to school in Alexandria, Washington DC, Harrisonburg, Warren County, or Clarke County, Virginia.
Opening an account with the Library of Congress Federal doesn’t entail any kind of check reporting system or credit check. They offer a Free Checking account, so there’s no monthly charge or minimum account balance. This comes with both a Visa debit card and unlimited check writing, making it an extremely flexible option.
You get free access to a large network of ATMs, plus 10 transactions at non-LCFCU ATMs each month. There’s also a free program you can use to help you learn more about budgeting, called Balance Financial Fitness.
To join, you must work at a participating employer or be a family member of an existing LCFCU member. There are nearly 40 participating employers in the DC region, so there could be a good chance you qualify for membership.
Navy Federal Credit Union
If you qualify for membership to Navy Federal, you won’t have to worry about them using ChexSystems. To become a member, you need to be either on active duty or retired from the U.S. military.
There are two free checking accounts from Navy FCU, one of which is Active Duty Checking. There’s no monthly fee, but you’ll need to receive direct deposit from the military.
If you do, you’ll get access to those deposited funds one business day earlier than usual. You also get $20 a month in ATM free rebates.
The other free account from Navy FCU is called EveryDay Checking. It’s a basic account that doesn’t come with any direct deposit requirements.
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.
Wells Fargo
If Wells Fargo declines you for a standard checking account, you may still qualify for their “Clear Access Banking” account.
This second chance checking account has a monthly fee of $5. The only way to avoid it is if the primary account owner is 13 – 24 years old.
There’s a minimum opening deposit of $25. You get access to online bill pay, mobile banking, and over 13,000 ATMs free of charge.
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. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
Non-ChexSystems Banks by State
Looking for more information and additional options available in your area? Select your state from the list below to find out all your options for banking.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming