ChexSystems can be a real pain to deal with when you’re trying to get a bank account opened in your name. It
was established as a system to monitor and screen people who are looking to open checking and savings
accounts. But the side effects of this kind system can result in you being unable to open a bank account
even if you haven’t done anything shady.
Fortunately, there are still more than a couple of banks in Kentucky that don’t use ChexSystems for
verification. We’ll be looking at some of these banks as well as what your options look like if you get
flagged by ChexSystems.
Your Top Pick
BBVA is one of the most well-known banks for Kentucky residents that are looking for a second chance bank account.
You can open this account with as little as $25 for your initial deposit.
Why is it recommended for you?
Right now, a free checking account at BBVA is the only trusted option for customers looking for a Second Chance Checking account with high approval rate and excellent features and conditions. Use this opportunity to rebuild your credit while having a bank account with no restrictions.
- Relaxed account opening requirements
- Free ATM withdrawals on BBVA ATMs
- Online and mobile banking facilities included
- Customizable banking alerts
- No hidden fees or ATM charges
- Online & mobile banking facilities included
- Customizable banking alerts
- Available nationwide (except Alaska and Hawaii)
- Member FDIC
You can open this account with as little as $25 for your initial deposit
Local Banking Options
Following is the web's most comprehensive list of banks and credit unions in Kentucky that do
not use ChexSystems and which may approve you for a bank account.
Please note that any unsuccessful attempt to open an account may have a negative impact on your credit
history and score.
To avoid this, please check if there are any proven, top picked solutions are available in your area (listed above) or on our page with best non-ChexSystems banks and other banking
alternatives.
See more: Comprehensive List of
Non-ChexSystems Banks
Another note to add is that it's a good idea to get your free annual report and try to dispute ChexSystems.
This list also contains email responses from banks as well as applicants’ personal experiences and
comments. This page is updated regularly, so please consider adding it to your bookmarks.
The Cecilian Bank Choice Opportunity Checking
Central Bank Clean Start Checking
Citizens Union Bank Second Chance Checking
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union Opportunity Checking
First United Bank & Trust Company Fresh Start Checking
FNB Bank Second Chance Checking
Fort Knox Federal Credit Union 2nd Chance Checking
Home Federal Bank Square One Checking
Kentucky Telco Federal Credit Union NewStart Checking
Your Community Bank New Opportunity Checking
The Cecilian Bank Choice Opportunity Checking
Central Bank Clean Start Checking
Citizens Union Bank Second Chance Checking
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union Opportunity Checking
First United Bank & Trust Company Fresh Start Checking
FNB Bank Second Chance Checking
Fort Knox Federal Credit Union 2nd Chance Checking
Home Federal Bank Square One Checking
Kentucky Telco Federal Credit Union NewStart Checking
Your Community Bank New Opportunity Checking
MainSource Bank
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Special Notes
They do offer second chance checking with free bill pay and it comes with a debit card. (See email below for more).
Email from Bank:
Email From person that got an account:
I opened the fresh start account today at MainSource Bank. She had it opened within 5 minutes. Takes $25.00 to open. You get an ATM card for the first 90 days and then a debit card there after. Must not be negative for 1 year in order to convert to a free account. You do get unlimited check writing and no Overdraft Solutions Courtesy Pay. It does have a $20.00 monthly fee until you convert over. They use deluxe when ordering checks. Its worth it for me because there are 4 branches where I live and very close to me.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
MainSource BankRepublic Bank & Trust Company
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Special Notes
A special electronic transaction account with no minimum balance for clients with no more than 4 ChexSystems records.
Fresh Start
- No minimum balance
- Free Republic STAR/Presto ATM transactions
- $2 ATM Transaction at any non-Republic/Presto ATM
- $50 minimum opening deposit
- Access the account with your CheckCard (make withdrawals at Star/PLUS/Presto ATMs; make purchases at retailers).
- Free Internet Banking (not eligible for Bill Pay)
- $10 Account setup fee
- $12.95 Monthly fee with direct deposit; $19.95 Monthly fee without direct deposit
Honor Plus Account
Rebuild your banking privileges with Republic Bank's Honor Plus Account. The Honor Plus Account is a no minimum balance account, with a Republic Bank CheckCard and unlimited check writing.
- No minimum balance
- Unlimited CheckCard transactions
- Free Republic Bank Star/Presto ATM transactions
- Free Internet banking
- Unlimited automatic payments to pay your monthly bills
- Eligible for Internet Bill Pay
- Eligible to open savings product
- Unlimited check writing
Email from Bank:
Yes, even if you have reports on ChexSystems you would still be eligible for either our Honor Plus or our Fresh Start accounts. You are eligible for Honor Plus if you have two or less reports on ChexSystems and at least one must be paid. You would be eligible for Fresh Start no matter the number of reports you have on ChexSystems. The main difference between the two accounts is the Fresh Start does not have check writing privileges. These are both available on our website or in any Banking Center.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
Republic Bank & Trust CompanyMidwest America Federal Credit Union
Form of Verification:
TeleCheck
Email from Bank:
We use a system available through TeleCheck.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking and savings
Learn more about
Midwest America Federal Credit UnionOld National Bank
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Special Notes
Old National has a "New Start Account" -- there's no restriction on if the ChexSystems entries are paid or not - is up to the branch manager. Old National has locations in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. The account is only offered in branches and can't be open on the phone or online. Account is $8 a month - has all the features as a regular account. If it stays in good standing for a 12 months, account can become Free Checking or any other Old National checking account.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
Old National BankFirst Southern National Bank
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking, savings, and business accounts
Learn more about
First Southern National BankRenasant Bank
Special Notes
They do not use ChexSystems.
2 forms of ID are needed
50.00 deposit to open the account
Email from Bank:
Thank you for your inquiry. If you have no outstanding balance at Renasant Bank, you can open an account.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking, savings and business accounts
Learn more about
Renasant BankFirst & Peoples Bank and Trust Company
Form of Verification:
Credit reports
Email from Bank:
We pull a credit reports on new accounts. We mostly use TransUnion. We also report with Equifax and Experian.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking, savings and business accounts
Learn more about
First & Peoples Bank and Trust CompanyBank of Clarkson
Form of Verification:
Credit report
Special Notes
Bank of Clarkson is a community minded bank that is part of the First Breckinridge Bancshares holding company. Within the holding company there are four banks and they are as follows: First State Bank, serving Breckinridge County, West Point Bank, serving Hardin County, Bank of Clarkson, serving Grayson County and River City Bank, serving Jefferson County.
Email from Bank:
We use a TransUnion credit report and look at the overall credit situation not the score.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking and savings
Learn more about
Bank of ClarksonCitizens Bank & Trust Co. of Jackson
Form of Verification:
TeleCheck
Email from Bank:
We use TeleCheck.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking, savings and business accounts
Learn more about
Citizens Bank & Trust Co. of JacksonFirst Security Bank
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Email from Bank:
The Limited checking. Called restart checking ........$10.00 one time set up fee, and the charge for your first order of checks is to be paid up front....$10.00 monthly fee.........$100 minimum opening deposit.......No more than one unsettled ChexSystems record allowed.....
You choose between checks or a debit card (you do not get both with this account).
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
First Security BankFirst State Bank
Form of Verification:
Credit report
Special Notes
DOES NOT USE CHEXSYSTEMS. THEY USE A CREDIT REPORT.
Email from Bank:
We use a TransUnion credit report and look at the overall credit and not a score.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking, savings and business accounts
Learn more about
First State BankWilson & Muir Bank & Trust Company
Form of Verification:
Credit report
Special Notes
They do not use ChexSystems, TeleCheck or EWS.
Email from Bank:
We will do a credit report when opening a new account. We do not belong to the other systems you wrote about. We don't receive scores, but your credit must be good (without collections, past dues, etc.)
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking, savings and business checking
Learn more about
Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust CompanyU.S. Bank
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Special Notes
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. BankWoodforest National Bank
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems and TeleCheck
Special Notes
2nd Chance account is $7.95 if you have direct deposit
$9.95 if you do not.
$25.00 one time debit card processing fee There is a 15.00 monthly fee FOR A BUSINESS ACCOUNT
However, in 6 months or less, the branch determines if you can move to a regular account or open a savings in addition to the second chance account, regular accounts, you can open immediately!
(Complimentary overdraft) requiring no credit will kick in after 30 days. It is $500 for direct deposit or $300 without it.
ALSO! Phone and Online banking are immediate overnight and they're open 7 days! They are VERY friendly and nice to those reported to ChexSystems.
Email from Bank:
Before you can open an account with Woodforest National Bank we do run TeleCheck and ChexSystems. If you have any unpaid closures reported by a merchant or another financial institution on either one of these reports you will only qualify for our Second Chance Checking account. You will be able to open an account with us as long as we are able to properly verify your identity and you do not have an unpaid charged off account with Woodforest National Bank.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
Woodforest National BankYour Community Bank
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Special Notes
This is from the website:
New Opportunity Checking
Have you ever mishandled your checking account? New Opportunity Checking lets you rebuild your record and reestablish your financial credibility.
Account Highlight:
No minimum balance requirement after initial deposit! Plus, enjoy great features of a traditional checking account!
Account Features:
- New Feature: FREE e-Alerts
- New Feature: FREE e-Statements
- FREE ATM/Debit card
- FREE Online banking
- FREE Bill Pay
- FREE Money transfers*
- FREE EZswitch kit
- ZERO fee ATM transactions**
- 24-hour telephone banking
- Notary service available
- Traveler’s checks available
- Cashier’s checks available
- Direct deposit available
- $9.95 a month or $6.95 with direct deposit
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
Your Community BankFlagstar Bank
Form of Verification:
FIS Qualifile which does show ChexSystems information
Special Notes
They do offer second chance checking called A Next Step Checking for those reported to ChexSystems They will look at
1. How old the report is
2. the dollar amount owed
Email from Bank:
I called and they stated that they do offer second chance checking
- $50.00 to open the account
- $5.00 monthly fee
- MUST set up direct deposit
Need valid Drivers license or 2 utility bills that show current address
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
Flagstar BankUnited Bank & Trust Company
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Email from Bank:
In response to you e-mail, we use ChexSystems before we open any account. We do offer a “second chance” account that has a monthly fee of $10.00 or if you have direct deposit the fee is $8.00. After 18 months we will offer a different account with no fees.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
United Bank & Trust CompanyCommunity Trust Bank
Form of Verification:
EWS
Special Notes
They do NOT use ChexSystems but they do run EWS.
Email from Bank:
We use a system called "Early Warnings"
Types of Accounts Offered:
Personal checking, savings and business accounts
Learn more about
Community Trust BankCentral Bank of Jefferson County
Form of Verification:
ChexSystems
Special Notes
Provides a clean start for those who may have had trouble with a past account. 50.00 to open the account. $8 with direct deposit $10 without direct deposit.
Email from Bank:
Yes, we do have a Clean Start checking account. It is for individuals that may have a history with ChexSystems.
Types of Accounts Offered:
Second chance checking
Learn more about
Central Bank of Jefferson County
