Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Washington

Struggling to open a checking account in the state of Washington 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

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

U.S. Bank

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Up to $400 bonus
  • Minimum opening deposit of $25
  • Monthly service fee: $0 or $6.95
  • Over 40,000 surcharge-free MoneyPass ATMs

U.S. Bank is now inviting new customers to take advantage of a special online promotion:

  • Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
  • Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through May 6, 2025. Member FDIC.
  • Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.

The checking account comes with a free debit card and the option to lock or unlock the card if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs or surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass Network ATMs.

U.S. Bank uses ChexSystems, but it has a history of being more lenient with records than most banks.

As long as you don’t have a history of fraud, or you don’t owe any money to U.S. Bank, you may be able to open a checking account with them.

The minimum opening deposit for this account is just $25, and the monthly service fee is $6.95. However, you can avoid the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum balance of $1,500 or by having a minimum monthly direct deposit of $1,000.

SoFi

Our Second Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $300 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.80.00% 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 3.80.00% 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.

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 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.

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.

Upgrade

Features & Benefits

  • Up to 4.02% APY on savings
  • Up to 2% cash back
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • No monthly fees or overdraft fees

Upgrade doesn’t pull your ChexSystems report, but they do look at your credit report.

The Upgrade Rewards Checking account has no monthly fees and no overdraft fees. You’ll also get a free Visa debit card, and up to 2% cash back on everyday debit card purchases.

The Upgrade Premier Savings account delivers an impressive 4.02% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

You’ll get access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint network, including Walgreens and CVS locations. Plus, checking account customers can qualify for up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

American Lake Credit Union

American Lake Credit Union uses Telecheck, not ChexSystems, for screening new applicants.

To open a checking account, you must first become a member by living in Washington and making a minimum deposit of $5 into a shared savings account.

Members can choose from various checking options, including the Compass Checking account, which is free and doesn’t require a minimum balance if you opt for eStatements.

It offers 24/7 access via online and mobile banking, includes a free Visa debit card, and has overdraft protection options. Additionally, members have access to over 30,000 co-op ATMs and 5,600 co-op branches.

Branches are located in Lakewood and Tacoma.

Great Northwest Federal Credit Union

Great Northwest Federal Credit Union uses Telecheck to screen new applications, and anyone interested in joining must apply in person, providing a government-issued ID with a current address. A minimum deposit of $5 into a savings account is also required.

To be eligible, you must live, work, or worship in Gray’s Harbor or Pacific County or have a family member who does.

The Great Value Checking account is available and free, provided the account maintains a minimum balance of $100. It includes free online banking, bill pay, a Visa debit card, and earns dividends.

Branches are located in Aberdeen, Chehalis, Long Beach, Ocean Park, and Raymond.

MountainCrest Credit Union

MountainCrest Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking. It requires a $25 minimum deposit to open, and comes with a $10 monthly service fee.

However, there are no ongoing minimum balance requirements, making it a flexible option for those looking to rebuild their banking history.

This account also offers several benefits, including free online banking, bill pay, mobile banking, eStatements, telephone banking, and a Visa debit card.

To become a member, you need to deposit at least $5 into a savings account and either live, work, or worship in Washington state.

MountainCrest has branch locations in Arlington and Everett.

Mountain West Bank

Mountain West Bank does not rely on ChexSystems, EWS, Telecheck, or credit reports when evaluating applications, offering a more accessible option for those with a challenging banking history.

To open a checking account, a minimum deposit of $50 is required.

The bank provides four types of checking accounts, each with numerous free features, such as online banking, bill pay, mobile banking, remote deposit, a Visa debit card, and eStatements.

They have branches in several locations, including Ione, Newport, and Spokane Valley.

Salal Credit Union

Salal Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called Pathway Checking, designed to help individuals rebuild their banking history.

The account requires a $25 opening deposit and includes a $10 monthly service fee.

You can have the fee waived by meeting certain conditions each month, such as making 15 debit transactions or having at least $250 in direct deposits, each reducing the fee by $5.

Salal has branch locations in Bellevue, Seattle, and Tukwila.

WaFd Bank

WaFd Bank’s Fresh Start Account can help you regain access to essential banking features after being denied in the past.

With a low $25 initial deposit and a $4 monthly fee, it includes mobile and online banking, no overdraft fees, and person-to-person payments.

After building a positive account history, you may qualify for a traditional account upgrade.

WaFd Bank has branches in Washington, including Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Kirkland, Redmond, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Wenatchee, with additional locations throughout the state.

Wheatland Bank

Wheatland Bank uses Early Warning Systems (EWS) rather than ChexSystems to screen new applicants.

The bank offers two main types of checking accounts. The Free-Range Checking account stands out with no monthly service fees, free online banking, bill pay, a Visa debit card, and up to $10 in non-Wheatland ATM fee reimbursements.

With no limits on debit card usage and a free first box of checks, it offers flexibility for account holders. Opening an account only requires a $100 minimum deposit.

Wheatland Bank has branches in cities such as Chelan, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Odessa, Okanogan, Pasco, Spokane, Twisp, Wenatchee, and Yakima, with additional branches throughout Washington state.