Maryland Banks & Credit Unions That Don't Use ChexSystems

Many banks use ChexSystems to screen and scrutinize new customers who wish to apply for bank accounts. ChexSystems checks customers’ finances and other bank accounts to determine if they are qualified to apply for a new bank account. Applicants with cases of bank-account mismanagement or low ChexSystems scores may have their request for a bank account denied. ChexSystems is more useful to banks than it is to their customers because it helps them identify customers who have had their bank accounts closed once or twice, due to cases of misuse and/or mismanagement.

Once you are denied by ChexSystems, you may have to wait for years before you can be eligible to open a bank account again. How long exactly depends on when the system deletes your history. Waiting can be difficult.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait that long to get back into banking, as there are many banks that will allow you to open an account without having to go through the scrutiny of ChexSystems. This is like offering you a second chance at banking!

In Maryland, there are many banks that don’t use ChexSystems. It is your responsibility to find the right bank that suits your banking needs.

Below is a list of banks in Maryland that don’t use ChexSystems.

Current

Current is not an actual bank. It is a financial-technology company that offers banking services. Current is our second choice because they don’t look at your credit history or use ChexSystems to determine your eligibility for a bank account.

Choosing Current has the following advantages:

Current offers zero fees on overdrafts up to $100.
With your Current debit card, you will gain access to 40K+ fee-free ATMs. There are no hidden charges or minimum balance required.
Current offers up to 4% APY with Current Savings Pods.
Current’s Premium Account allows you to get paid up to two days early with direct deposit.

To sign up for a Current account, download their mobile app on the Google or Apple store or visit the website at current.com

Sable

With Sable, you can open a bank account using a debit card and a secured credit card. It is quick and easy, as you only need five minutes to get started.

Sable does not conduct any credit checks before you open an account; you are not required to pay any fees, and you don’t have to pay any minimum deposit. After four months of using your secured credit card, you will become eligible for an unsecured credit card, which is about 3X faster, as compared to traditional banks. You also get 2% cashback on your most preferred brands. You don’t need a social-security number to open a Sable account, and they don’t look into your credit history. With a Sable account, you can send money to 55+ countries. Sable also has a multilingual customer-support system.

To open a Sable account, visit the website at: sablecard.com

Clear Mountain Bank

If you are looking for a fresh start or a second chance in the banking system, then you should consider Clear Mountain Bank, as they don’t use ChexSystems or look into your credit history. Clear Mountain Bank is a breath of fresh air!

Clear Mountain Bank gives you two options to choose from:

StartFresh First Step
StartFresh Checking

StartFresh First Step comes with a debit card, but you won’t be allowed to write checks. You are also required to pay a monthly fee of $6.95 when you apply for direct deposit. To open an account, you must have a minimum of $50, but no minimum balance is required afterward. If you can maintain a good record for 12 months, then you will be permitted to apply for StartFresh Checking.

StartFresh Checking shares similarities with StartFresh First Step. The only difference is that with StartFresh Checking, you will be eligible to write as many checks as you want. If you can successfully manage a Clear Mountain Bank account for 18 months, then you can apply for a bank account in any traditional bank.

Learn more about Clear Mountain Bank

Security Plus Federal Credit Union

This bank offers you a second chance by allowing you to open a checking account known as “Revive Checking.” You will be required to pay a monthly fee of $5, which can be scrapped if you receive a minimum deposit of one electronic ACH every month.

You will need to make a minimum deposit of $25 to open an account. 30 days after opening an account, you will get a Visa debit card, plus your very first order of checks, free of charge!

Revive Checking has online-and-mobile-banking features, which makes it more convenient to carry out financial transactions. All individuals who live, work, go to school, or worship within the city of Baltimore are eligible to apply for membership.

Learn more about Security Plus Federal Credit Union

Central Credit Union of Maryland

Central Credit Union of Maryland offers Renew Checking. This is an account designed especially for people who have problems opening a bank account, due to their failure to pass ChexSystems’ scrutiny. With Central Credit Union of Maryland, you can comfortably open an account without having to worry about your bad ChexSystems record.

To open an account, you will have to sign up for direct deposit. You will be required to pay a monthly fee. If you can successfully manage this account for 12 months, then you can upgrade to free Central Checking, and you won’t have to pay any charges.

You are qualified for membership if you are an employee of an affiliated business. Central Credit Union of Maryland has two branches: one in Baltimore, and one in Perry Point.

Learn more about Central Credit Union of Maryland

Greenbelt Federal Credit Union

Greenbelt Federal Credit Union is another bank that does not use ChexSystems. Instead, it uses TeleCheck. This bank is located in Greenbelt, Maryland. To become a member, you must go to school, worship, or reside in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Greenbelt Federal Credit Union offers a Share-Draft Checking Account that is very convenient. This account doesn’t require any minimum balance. However, their Share Savings account requires a minimum deposit or balance of $25.

Learn more about Greenbelt Federal Credit Union

United Bank

United Bank does not look at your credit report or use ChexSystems. If you are looking for a second chance at banking, then you should consider United Bank.

If you are lucky, then you may qualify for one of the three checking accounts that they offer:

United Free Checking
Platinum Checking
United Rewards Checking

United Free Checking does not require a minimum balance. You also don’t have to pay any monthly fees, but you need a $50 deposit to open the account. It also offers free mobile banking with direct deposit. You can also deposit checks through the mobile app. Android Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay are all accessible. United Bank has branches in several locations throughout Maryland—especially in the Western parts of the state. It also has branches in Washington, DC.

Learn more about United Bank

Woodforest National Bank

If you are looking for a Second-Chance Checking Account, then Woodforest National Bank is for you. With a standard minimum deposit of $25, you can open a Woodforest bank account without direct deposit. You will be required to pay a monthly fee of $11.95, which can be reduced to $9.95 once you sign up for direct deposit. You also have to pay $3 monthly, which is a paper-statement fee. This is applicable only if you do not choose to receive e-statements. Note that when opening an account, you will be required to pay a one-time fee of $9.

Woodforest National Bank has locations in Severn, Hanover, Cockeysville, Arbutus, Landover Hills, and Laurel, Maryland.

Learn more about Woodforest National Bank

OneUnited Bank

OneUnited Bank offers a checking account to individuals in every state. One of the many advantages of using OneUnited Bank is that it has a partnership with Green Dot, which means that customers can receive funds at 90K+ locations countrywide using the OneUnited Debit Card.

The checking account offered by OneUnited Bank is called the “Black Wall Street Checking Account.” With this account, you are not required to pay any monthly fees, but if you are not eligible for this account, then you can also apply for the U2 E-Checking Account, which is designed specifically for individuals with poor credit.

Here are some of the features of the Black Wall Street Checking Account:

A $25 minimum deposit is needed to open the account. This can be paid using your credit card.
Online and mobile banking are free.
Monthly fees are not required.
You can withdraw cash free of charge at 35K+ ATMs located all over the country.
You can deposit checks via the mobile app.
Customers are offered a safe credit card that reports to all the primary credit bureaus.

Learn more about OneUnited Bank

First PREMIER Bank

Premier Bank offers a checking account known as “StartFresh Checking.” Customers have access to unlimited check writing, free online banking, and a debit card.

Customers are required to pay a monthly fee of $7.90, and a direct deposit of $9.95 for the monthly service charge. Customers with a good record become eligible for a better offer after 18 months.

Learn more about First PREMIER Bank

Acorns

Acorns is a financial-technology company that was founded in 2012. It offers financial services to all American citizens. It does not use ChexSystems, so it offers you a clean slate.

Some of Acorns’ features include the following:

Acorns offers fee-reimbursed withdrawals at ATMs.
With the Acorns Spend Debit Card, your purchases are automatically paid for and rounded up to the next dollar, and the spare change is invested to help you save.
Transferring funds from one bank to another is free of charge.
Digital direct deposits and mobile check deposits are available.
There is no minimum deposit required to open an Acorns Spend Account.
You are charged a monthly fee of $1.
No minimum balance is required.

For more information, visit their website at: https://www.get.acorns.com

The Disadvantages of Not Using ChexSystems

Although opening an account without ChexSystems may seem like the perfect idea, there are still some disadvantages to doing so:

Most of these accounts are not free.
You can fall victim to fraud.
The accounts are limited in their capabilities.
These accounts may not have a good customer-support system, as compared to local banks.
Not all of these accounts offer checking.

Conclusion

Although there are banks that overlook ChexSystems, it is still important to clear your ChexSystems record. You can do so by paying all the debt and fees accrued to you.