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
U.S. Bank
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Features & Benefits

  • Up to $450 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 $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
  • Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 26, 2024. Member FDIC.
  • Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.

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.

Apply online →

Upgrade

Our Second Pick
Upgrade
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Features & Benefits

  • Up to 5.21% 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 ATM 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 5.21% APY, giving you a remarkable opportunity to grow your savings faster.

Upgrade is partnered with Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and your funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. With an Upgrade checking account, you can also get up to 20% lower rates on Upgrade loans and credit cards.

Apply online →

SoFi

SoFi
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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.

Apply online →

Current

Current
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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.

Apply online →

Chime

Chime
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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.

Apply online →

First Tech Federal Credit Union

First Tech Federal Credit Union
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Features & Benefits

  • Up to $300 sign-up bonus with direct deposit
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • Earn up to 5.00% APY
  • Over 30,000 fee-free ATMs

First Tech Federal Credit Union offers an attractive banking solution that goes beyond traditional constraints, providing members with a combination of high-yield interest and multiple financial incentives across its platforms.

With the First Tech Rewards Checking & Savings accounts, there are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees. Members can take advantage of a $300 bonus simply by establishing a qualifying payroll direct deposit of $1,000 or more per month for three consecutive months.

These accounts offer competitive interest rates, with the potential to earn up to 5.00% APY on both checking and savings accounts, depending on the balance—significantly higher than many conventional banks.

Additionally, First Tech offers extensive accessibility with over 30,000 CO-OP network ATMs nationwide for fee-free withdrawals.

The credit union also ensures enhanced financial security and flexibility with features like real-time fraud monitoring and free overdraft transfers, contributing to a comprehensive and secure banking experience.

Apply online →

American Lake Credit Union

American Lake Credit Union
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American Lake doesn’t use ChexSystems to screen new applications; instead, they use Telecheck. Applicants must first apply for membership before they can open a checking account.

To be eligible, you must simply live in the state of Washington and make a minimum deposit of $5 into a shared savings account.

They offer a few different checking options for its members: Compass Checking, Regular Checking, Budget Checking, and Money Plus Checking. Compass Checking is free and doesn’t require a minimum balance if you enroll in eStatements.

It provides 24/7 access through both online and mobile banking, comes with a free Visa debit card, and overdraft protection options are available. Additionally, you get access to over 30,000 co-op ATMs and over 5,600 co-op branches.

They have branch locations in Tacoma and Lakewood.

Apply online →

Great Northwest Federal Credit Union

Great Northwest Federal Credit Union
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Great Northwest Federal uses Telecheck to screen new applications. However, anyone interested in joining must do so in person and be able to provide a government issued ID with a current address on it. Additionally, you must make a minimum $5 deposit into a savings account.

To be eligible to join, you must live, work or worship in Gray’s Harbor or Pacific County or have a family member who does. Great Northwest has locations in Aberdeen, Long Beach, Raymond, and Ocean Park.

GNFCU offers several checking options:

  • Regular Share Account
  • Money Market Account
  • Great Value Checking
  • Regular Draft Account
  • Platinum Plus Checking

Great Value Checking is free if the account has a minimum of $100 in it. It comes with free online banking, free bill pay, a free Visa debit card, and earns dividends.

Apply online →

MountainCrest Credit Union

MountainCrest Credit Union
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MountainCrest offers a second chance checking account called Fresh Start Checking. You’ll pay a $10 monthly service fee, as well as a $25 minimum opening deposit requirement.

There are no minimum account balance requirements, and account holders get a host of perks with this account. These include:

  • Free online banking
  • Free bill pay
  • Free mobile banking
  • Free eStatements
  • Free telephone banking
  • Free Visa debit card

They have branches in Arlington and Everett. To become a member, you must deposit a minimum of $5 into a savings account and either work, live, or worship in Washington state.

Apply online →

Mountain West Bank

Mountain West Bank
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Mountain West Bank does not use ChexSystems, EWS, Telecheck, nor does it pull a credit report when reviewing applications.

To open a checking, you’ll need a minimum opening deposit of $50.

Mountain West Bank offers four types of checking accounts: Totally Free Checking, Easy Interest, 50+ Interest Checking, and Premier Interest Checking.

Each account comes with a host of free features, some of which include:

  • Free online banking
  • Free bill pay
  • Free mobile banking
  • Free remote deposit
  • Free Visa Debit Card
  • Free eStatements
Apply online →

Salal Credit Union

Salal Credit Union
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Salal offers a second chance checking account called Pathway Checking.

This checking account requires a $25 minimum opening deposit and there’s a $10 monthly service fee. However, it is possible to get the fee waived if certain conditions are met each month. These include:

  • 15 debit transactions per month reduces the fee by $5
  • At least $250 directly deposited each month reduces the fee by $5

They have locations in Tukwila, Seattle, and Bellevue.

Apply online →

Wheatland Bank

Wheatland Bank
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Wheatland Bank uses Early Warning Systems (EWS) instead of ChexSystems when screening new applications. They offer two types of checking accounts: Gold Checking and Free-Range Checking.

Free-Range doesn’t have any monthly service fees and comes with free online checking, free online bill pay, a free Visa debit card, and up to $10 in non-Wheatland ATM fee reimbursements.

Additionally, there aren’t any caps to the number of times you can use your debit card each month, and the first box of checks is free. To open an account only requires a low opening deposit of $100.

They have branch locations in Chelan, Davenport, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Odessa, Pasco, Quincy, Ritzville, Spokane, Wenatchee, Wilbur, and Yakima.

Apply online →

Non-ChexSystems Banks by State

Looking for more information and additional options available in your area? Select your state from the list below to explore your options.