Washington Banks & Credit Unions That Don't Use ChexSystems

Horizon Credit Union

Form of verification:

Credit Report

Email from the bank:

The credit union presently uses information obtained from a credit reporting agency.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal Checking and Savings

Learn more about Horizon Credit Union

Editor's Choice

CIT Bank

The CIT Bank Savings Connect account is the best among banks that don’t use ChexSystems. Unlike many other non-ChexSystems accounts, the CIT Bank Savings Connect is also a high-yield savings account that can help grow your savings much faster than most other banks can.

Features and Benefits:

• Interest-bearing
• Minimum balance requirement: $0
• Monthly maintenance fee: $0
• Monthly ATM charge reimbursements of up to $30

Why is it recommended for you?

Although CIT Bank has a relatively high minimum deposit ($100) to get started, it offers one of the best interest rates among online banks, and has no opening, monthly servicing, online transfer or incoming wire fees.

The Best Alternative

The Complete ChexSystems Removal Kit

Our comprehensive ChexSystems Removal Guide includes the exact documents and instructions guaranteed to help you get off ChexSystems and start banking again.

Cheney Federal Credit Union

Form of verification:

ID and a Credit Report

Email from the bank:

Yes, we pull a credit report for all new members. Usually requires a beacon score of 600 + is required.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal Checking, Savings, and Business Checking

Learn more about Cheney Federal Credit Union

Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union

Form of verification:

Credit Report

Email from the bank:

To open a savings account you will just need to qualify for membership. As long as you live, work or worship within the boundaries of the five counties that we service, which are Mason, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Kitsap, you will qualify for a savings account. Additional services such as checking accounts, lines of credit, auto and or home loans are also available to our membership and qualification for these will depend upon the overall picture of your credit history and your combined Beacon and BNI scores.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union

Whatcom Educational Credit Union

Form of verification:

TeleCheck and a credit report

Email from the bank:

If TeleCheck comes back good we will open the account but we do run a credit report with Equifax to look at the credit history.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about Whatcom Educational Credit Union

U.S. Bank

Form of verification:

ChexSystems

It has been reported that if your report is 21/2 yrs or older, they will not even see it. If this is your situation you can apply online, if not, you would need to visit an “in store” branch.

Most US banks “in store” branches are giving accounts to most people on ChexSystems. These are regular accounts, not 2nd chance checking...as long as you do NOT owe US Bank money and you are not reported on your chexsystems report for any kind of "fraudulent activity"

There are some branches that are still not using this policy so it might be a good idea to call a branch local to you and ask about their policy first before going in.

Some “in store” branches have signs that actually says “ChexSystems? no problem!”… yet others will not open accounts at all. People are approved everyday.

Some branches do offer 2nd chance checking and some have been able to open business accounts when all debt to reporting bank(s) are paid and fraud is not indicated.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about U.S. Bank

America's Credit Union

Form of verification:

TeleCheck, a credit report and ID

***IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THEY ARE VERY PICKY ABOUT CREDIT

***IT IS VERY HARD TO GET APPROVED FOR AN ACCOUNT WITH THEM UNLESS CREDIT SITUATION IS EXCELLENT

• They do not use ChexSystems
• You can apply for membership online
• Send in a copy of your DL and SS card notarized with signature card

SPECIAL NOTE: YOU MUST MAINTAIN A $50.00 BALANCE IS A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR THE LIFE OF THE MEMBERSHIP.

THEY ALSO OFFER BUSINESS CHECKING. THEY NEED THE BUSINESS NAME AND THE INFO FOR THE BUSINESS TO ATTATCH IT TO A CHECKING BUT THEY WILL OPEN IT UNDER THE NAME OF THE BUSINESS

Email from the bank:

If you are interested in an account with America's Credit Union you will need to consent to having a credit check.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about America's Credit Union

Pacific Northwest Credit Union

Form of verification:

Credit report

Anyone can join and get an account that lives in the state of Washington but you must apply in person.

Email from the bank:

We run a credit report from Equifax. We do not use a score but we review the report history and make our decision from that to determine what we can open.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking and savings accounts

Learn more about Pacific Northwest Credit Union

Gesa Credit Union

Form of verification:

ChexSystems

Email from the bank:

Currently all new account are run through ChexSystems prior to opening, if they need additional information we may run a credit report.

Thank you for your question, we do have an account that is called a “Fresh Start Checking”.

Qualifications: Any potential member that does not have fraud related hits or outstanding balances payable to any financial institution on chex-system. Any outstanding balances to other institutions must be satisfied prior to the account opening. If you have received an expulsion from Gesa Credit Union you are not eligible for this account.

• Minimum to open is $200.00. Initial deposit is frozen and unavailable for the member to use.
• There is a $10.00 monthly fee.
• The account does not pay interest.
• Overdraft Protection is automatically available through the regular savings, OD line of credit or personal line of credit.
• The account doesn’t come with a free box of checks
• First Visa Check Card is free for Owners and Joint Owners

These are the basic features for the “Fresh Start Checking” account.

Types of accounts offered:

Second chance checking

Learn more about Gesa Credit Union

American Lake Credit Union

Form of verification:

TeleCheck

Email from the bank:

Yes, we run TeleCheck when opening any new account.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking and savings accounts

Learn more about American Lake Credit Union

O Bee Credit Union

Form of verification:

Credit report. Currently we are not using ChexSystems or the like. They do run a credit report when determining qualifications for membership.

Email from the bank:

The first criteria is you must live, work or worship within Washington State.

The second is a valid picture ID, such as driver’s license or ID card.

We also request a credit report.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking, savings and business accounts

Learn more about O Bee Credit Union

Bank of the West

Form of verification:

ChexSystems

The manager told me its called "Fresh Start". Your last entry into ChexSystems must be older than one year. Cannot say Fraud. $10 a month.

Types of accounts offered:

Second chance checking

Learn more about Bank of the West

Bank of America

Form of verification:

ChexSystems and EWS

Your report must be at least 6 months old. You MUST NOT be reported to EWS. If you are reported to EWS, they may open the account and close it later.

Types of accounts offered:

My-Access Checking - Monthly maintenance fee: $8.95 per month [Fee waived with direct deposit]. Minimum Opening Deposit Requirement: $25

Learn more about Bank of America

Banner Bank

Form of verification:

ChexSystems

This is for Seattle-King County residents ONLY.

Types of accounts offered:

Second Chance checking (but this is a regular checking account)

Learn more about Banner Bank

Express Credit Union

Form of verification:

ChexSystems

They do participate in a program called Bank on Seattle-King County.

Email from the bank:

I called and talked to the manager and she did say that they do approve those reported to ChexSystems but each case is difference depending on what is reported. Some may NOT be approved while others may be approved for a

• Savings account with an ATM only
• or others might be approved for a regular checking. Again it depends on what the report says.

Types of accounts offered:

Personal checking and savings accounts

Learn more about Express Credit Union

HomeStreet Bank

Form of verification:

ChexSystems

I called and talked to several branch managers and they said yes they do sometimes open accounts for those reported to ChexSystems depending on the severity of the report.

As for my experience they did check my ChexSystems although I came in requesting Bank On account. She did determine that because my ChexSystems report stated "account abuse" and not fraud they would open a regular account for me. My chex report is in actuality identity theft and is being disputed on my credit report (along with the other 30 or so I had removed in the last 2 years). In any event - talk about the nicest people and understanding. WOW! I am always anxious since my major identity theft 13yrs ago. I even had Walmart turn me down to cash my tax return last year and they cash almost everyone. Also if you refer anyone you get a $50 credit. This bank made me feel important and that if there is ever an issue they will personally handle it. Very HOMEY! Already got first checks and visa debit on way - online banking and billpay already set-up!!

Types of accounts offered:

Personal savings and checking

Learn more about HomeStreet Bank