Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems in Wisconsin

A ChexSystems record can make it harder to open a checking account in Wisconsin, even when the issue is tied to an older account. Banks may review past overdrafts, unpaid fees, or closed accounts before deciding whether to approve you.

Wisconsin has banks and credit unions that may offer a better path forward. Some don’t use ChexSystems during account approval, while second chance checking accounts can help you regain access to everyday banking.

13 Banks in Wisconsin That Don’t Use ChexSystems

The Wisconsin banks and credit unions below may offer checking accounts without making ChexSystems the main approval requirement.

You can also review second chance banks in Wisconsin for accounts that can help you rebuild after past banking issues.

SoFi

Our Top Pick

Features & Benefits

  • Sign-up bonus up to $400 with qualifying direct deposits
  • No monthly fee
  • Earn up to 3.30% APY on savings
  • Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs

SoFi doesn’t use ChexSystems and offers a no-fee checking and savings account with solid perks.

You can earn up to 3.30% APY on savings, access over 55,000 fee-free ATMs, and get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

There are no overdraft fees, balance requirements, or monthly charges. You can also earn a sign-up bonus of up to $400 when you set up qualifying direct deposits.

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 doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so approval is easy—even with a rough banking history.

There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and you get access to 40,000 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit by using your debit card—no loans, credit pulls, or interest charges.

Current includes fee-free overdraft protection up to $200 and lets you get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Optional Savings Pods earn up to 4.00% APY.

Chime

Features & Benefits

  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Credit Builder Card with no interest, fees, or credit pull
  • Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
  • Over 47,000 fee-free ATMs

Chime doesn’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, so anyone can open an account.

There’s no monthly fee, no minimum opening deposit, and access to over 47,000 fee-free ATMs.

You can also build credit with the Chime Card, a secured Visa credit card with no annual fees, no interest charges, and no credit check required.

Direct deposit users can get paid up to two days early, and cash deposits are free at over 8,500 Walgreens locations.

Stash

Features & Benefits

  • No hidden fees
  • Earn stock as you spend with Stock-Back® rewards
  • Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit
  • 55,000+ fee-free ATMs through Allpoint®

Stash offers a checking account that doesn’t require a credit check or ChexSystems approval, making it accessible if you’ve faced banking challenges in the past.

Each time you make eligible purchases with your Stash debit card, you can earn Stock-Back® rewards in the form of fractional shares.

You can also receive your paycheck sooner with early direct deposit, and there are no overdraft fees to worry about.

The account includes access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs and is managed through the Stash app, which also features investing and money management tools.

Brewery Credit Union

Brewery Credit Union offers Fresh Start Checking as a second chance account for those looking to rebuild their banking history.

To open an account, a $100 minimum deposit is required, and there’s a $6.50 monthly service fee. Once opened, there are no ongoing minimum balance requirements.

With this account, members benefit from free online and mobile banking, free telephone banking, unlimited check writing, and a free debit card.

Membership is available to individuals who live or work in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, or Kenosha County.

BCU operates two locations in Milwaukee.

Connexus Credit Union

Connexus Credit Union is headquartered in Wisconsin and may be worth considering if you’re looking for a checking account from a credit union that does not rely on ChexSystems in the same way many traditional banks do.

Connexus offers checking options with online and mobile banking, debit card access, bill pay, direct deposit, and access to a large surcharge-free ATM network.

Since Connexus is a credit union, you’ll need to qualify for membership before opening an account.

For Wisconsin residents, Connexus has branches in Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, Menasha, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, and more.

Crossbridge Community Bank

Crossbridge Community Bank provides a Second Chance Checking account for customers working to repair their banking history.

A $50 minimum deposit and a one-time $10 setup fee are required to open the account. Once established, there is a $10 monthly fee, but after 12 months of maintaining a positive balance, you may qualify for a transfer to a standard checking account.

The account offers online banking, online bill pay, mobile banking, and free eStatements for added convenience.

Crossbridge Community Bank operates locations in Tomahawk and Merrill.

Dupaco Credit Union

Dupaco Community Credit Union does not use ChexSystems to screen new checking account applicants.

Instead, they look at your credit report, which gives people with past banking issues another possible path to approval.

You can join Dupaco by opening a savings account with a minimum deposit of $25. After joining, you can apply for a checking account with features such as a debit card, online and mobile banking, bill pay, and ATM access.

In Wisconsin, membership is available to people who live or work in Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Walworth, or Waukesha County. Immediate family members of current members may also qualify.

Branches are located in Madison and Platteville.

First American Bank

First American Bank offers Fresh Start Checking, a second chance option designed to help individuals rebuild their financial history.

This account includes a free Mastercard debit card and access to over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs, making it convenient for daily banking needs.

With no minimum balance required, the account charges a low monthly fee of $9.95. Additional benefits include unlimited check writing, free eStatements, free check images online, and free online and mobile banking.

First American Bank has branches in Salem and Kenosha.

IncredibleBank

IncredibleBank is another option worth a look in Wisconsin. Based on customer reports, it reportedly does not use ChexSystems to screen checking applicants, though the bank does not state its policy publicly, so it is worth confirming directly before you apply.

Its InSight Checking account is genuinely low-cost. There is no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance, and just a $25 deposit to open.

You get early direct deposit up to two days ahead of payday, free online and mobile banking with bill pay and mobile deposit, and access to more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

IncredibleBank has Wisconsin branches in Appleton, Brookfield, Eagle River, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Minocqua, Wausau, and more.

Marine Credit Union

Marine Credit Union offers the My Marine Checking account, a great opportunity to help individuals build strong financial habits.

The account comes with benefits such as free overdraft protection, no ATM fees, and no monthly or minimum balance requirements.

It also provides instant access to funds through a debit card, along with convenient online and mobile banking options. Additionally, direct deposit is available to help manage finances more easily.

Branches are located in cities like Chippewa Falls, Dodgeville, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Monroe, Platteville, Racine, Sheboygan, and more.

Taylor Credit Union

Taylor Credit Union does not use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or perform a credit check when reviewing applications.

To open an account, you need two forms of identification, one of which must be government-issued, and you must not owe any money from a previous TCU account.

To qualify for membership, you either need to have a family member who is already a TCU member, live or work within 25 miles of Medford, or live or work in Taylor, Price, Lincoln, Marathon, or Clark County.

Their free checking account includes unlimited check writing, online access, and a free Visa debit card with no minimum balance requirement.

Taylor Credit Union has branches in Abbotsford and Medford.

WESTconsin Credit Union

WESTconsin Credit Union offers the Foundations Checking account, a second chance checking option designed to help rebuild financial stability.

The account comes with a $4 monthly fee, allows debit card use only (no checks), and has no minimum balance or per-item charges.

WESTconsin has branches in Altoona, Amery, Baldwin, Barron, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Ellsworth, Hudson, Menomonie, and New Richmond, with additional branches available across Wisconsin.