Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in West Virginia

Struggling to open a checking account in West 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 West Virginia

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

Upgrade

Our Top Pick

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.

SoFi

Our Second 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.

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.

Chime®

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.

First Tech Federal Credit Union

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.

Clear Mountain Bank

Clear Mountain Bank offers StartFresh Banking, a second chance program that offers two steps to rebuilding your financial history. The first is called StartFresh First Step, which provides unlimited debit card transactions but no check writing.

You’ll need a $50 deposit to get started, plus you’ll pay a $9.95 monthly fee. If you enroll in direct deposit, that charge rolls back to $6.95.

After 12 months of keeping your account in good standing, you can apply for StartFresh Checking. The deposit and fees remain the same, but you get to add check writing to your available features. After 18 months with this account in good standing, you can apply for a traditional checking account.

They have locations in Bridgeport, Bruceton Mills, Kingwood, Morgantown, Oakland, Reedsville, Rowlesburg, and Terra Alta.

Community Bank and Trust

Community Bank and Trust has four different checking accounts available. They are Absolutely Free Checking, Premier 50+ Free Interest Checking, Preferred Free Interest Checking, and Prestige Checking.

The most basic option is Absolutely Free Checking. It requires a $50 minimum deposit. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly frees.

You also get a free debit card, unlimited checking writing, mobile banking, and free E-statements.

Hancock County Savings Bank

Rather than ChexSystems, Hancock County Savings utilizes the WatchDOG CIP system to approve account holders. Once you’re approved, there are multiple accounts to choose from, including:

  • Interest Checking
  • Regular Checking
  • Hancock Classic Checking (62+)
  • Student Checking
  • Keep Your Money Checking

To avoid fees, try the Keep Your Money account. It comes with a minimum deposit of just $10, plus you get your first debit card and check order for free.

There’s no monthly fee as long as you make at least 10 debit card transactions each month and receive a monthly statement. They have locations in Chester, New Cumberland, and Weirton.

West Virginia Federal Credit Union

For second chance checking, try Fresh Start Checking from West Virginia Federal. The initial deposit is $100, but the monthly fee is just $4.99.

In addition to a debit card, you also get unlimited check writing with this account. Plus, there’s no monthly balance you need to maintain. After 12 months, you can apply to for Regular Checking.

To become a member, you must reside, work, worship or attend school in Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam, or Wayne counties.

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.

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.