Jan 31

Non chexsystems credit unions 2011 is one of the most searched by people with bad credit reports.Below list which compiled earlier also including a non chexsystems banks listed is a guide for those people who need a reference to find a Non chexsystems credit unions 2011 for this year 2012.I bet people will also looking for Non chexsystems credit unions 2012 soon enough when it is available.

Website
Access National Bank Virginia www.accessnationalbank.com
Apple Creek Banking Company Ohio N/A
Armed Forces Bank (military) Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming www.afbank.com
Bank of Gueydan Louisiana N/A
Bank of Nashville Tennessee www.bankofnashville.com
Bank of Pensacola Florida www.bankofpensacola.com
Capital City Bank Alabama, Florida, Georgia www.ccbg.com
Chester National Bank Illinois, Missouri www.chesternationalbank.com
Citizens State Bank Michigan www.mycommunitybank.com
City National Bank & Trust Oklahoma www.cnbok.com
Community Bank & Trust Oklahoma www.banktulsa.com
Elizabethton Federal Savings Bank Tennessee www.elizfed.com
Elk Horn Bank & Trust Arkansas www.ehbt.com
Equitable Savings and Loan Colorado www.equitable-savings.com
First Convenience Bank Texas www.1stcb.com
First Internet Bank of Indiana Indiana www.firstib.com
First State Bank Michigan www.thefsb.com
First State Bank Kansas www.fsbkcks.com
First State Bank of Mendota Illinois www.fsbmendota.com
First United Bank Colorado www.1stunitedbank.com
Fort Sill National Bank (military) California, Delaware, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas www.fsnb.com
Fremont National Bank & Trust Nebraska www.fremontnational.com
Glenview State Bank Illinois www.gsb.com
Greenville National Bank Ohio www.greenvillenationalbank.com
ING Direct Online – Nationwide www.ingdirect.com
Kevil Bank Kentucky N/A
Keystone Savings Bank Iowa www.keystonesavings.com
Keywest Bank Florida www.keywest-bank.com
Marketplace Bank Florida N/A
Merchants Bank Alabama www.merchantsbk.com
Old Florida Bank Florida www.oldflbank.com
Omega Bank Pennsylvania www.omegafinancial.com
Peoples Trust & Savings Bank Iowa www.ptsbank.com
Prosperity Bank Florida www.prosperitybank.com
Regions Bank Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
www.regions.com
Renasant Bank Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee www.renasantbank.com
Savings Institute Connecticut www.savingsinstitute.com
Security Bank of Southwest Missouri Missouri N/A
Suntrust Bank Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia www.suntrust.com
TCF Bank Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin www.tcfexpress.com
Teche Federal Bank Louisiana www.teche.com
The Farmers State Bank Ohio www.thefarmersstatebank.com
Univest Pennsylvania www.univest.net
USAA (military) Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Texas, Virginia www.usaa.com
Valley State Bank Kansas www.valleystatebank.com
Wayne County Bank Tennessee www.waynecountybank.com

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Jan 26

A company called The Deluxe Corporation purchased ChexSystems in 1984.Today, ChexSystems is managed by EFunds Corporation, an independent,publicly traded company.ChexSystems is merely one of the companies that EFunds owns. Many peoplemay not have heard of them, or ChexSystems, until that very moment when theyare denied from opening a bank account.EFunds Corporation principal activities are transaction processing, riskmanagement and professional services to financial institutions & retailers,electronic funds transfer networks and government agencies.The Group operates in four segments: Electronic Payments which provideselectronic funds transfer, automated clearinghouse and other paymentprocessing services, ATM Management Services which provides ATMdeployment, management and branding services, Decision Support and RiskManagement which provides risk management based data and other products,

which ChexSystems is a part of. And other Professional Services which providesbusiness process management and IT outsourcing services.Efunds… the company that owns ChexSystems, Deluxe Corporation, also ownsCurrent Checks (a.k.a. Checks Unlimited), Designer Checks, SCAN (SharedCheck Authorization Network), the Debit Bureau, which tracks your check-writinghistory, and Deluxe Direct Marketing Services.Though most of us have never heard of them… if you ever wrote a check, used aATM machine, used a debit card, sent or received a money wire transfer, etc.etc; you have dealt with this very quiet and powerful company.More information can be found out about Efunds, the company that ownsChexSystems atwww.efunds.com

Credit: CONSUMERS INFO USA
809 Aberdeen Rd Drawer 9001Hampton VA 23670

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Dec 16

When it comes to bring approved for a bad credit bank account, a second chance bank account is your best option. The second chance account is geared towards high risk customers who need, as the name states, a second chance to improve upon their bank history and banking habits.||Find out if any of the lending institutions in your town or city offer such an account.

You may wish to go online and research this as opposed to going door to door and visiting different banks. In most cases this account will come with a small fee charged monthly. There are also online banks that offer second chance banking accounts. Examples of banks that offer these types of bad credit bank accounts to their customers looking to make a fresh start include Chase Bank, Compass Bank, Century Bank and Trust, Etrade Brokerage, United Community Bank and the Woodforest Bank.

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Nov 24

Free non chexsystems bank 2011 for all!I know more than 80% bank in US now using chexystems to verify new bank checking account.However below listed bank was said banks that do not use chexsystems.Check it out.

Bank Location(s) Online Banking?
Access National Bank Virginia www.accessnationalbank.com
Apple Creek Banking Company Ohio No Website
Armed Forces Bank (military) Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming www.afbank.com
Bank of Gueydan Louisiana No Website
Bank of Nashville Tennessee www.bankofnashville.com
Bank of Pensacola Florida www.bankofpensacola.com
Boone County National Bank Missouri www.boonebank.com
Capital City Bank Alabama, Florida, Georgia www.ccbg.com
Chester National Bank Illinois, Missouri www.chesternationalbank.com
Citizens State Bank Michigan www.mycommunitybank.com
City National Bank & Trust Oklahoma www.cnbok.com
Community Bank & Trust Oklahoma www.banktulsa.com

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Oct 17

For those who are looking for Banks that don’t use chexsystems 2011 in Montana here’s below the info.This just covers Billings area for Non Chexsystems Banks.Check it out.

Billings Non Chexsystems Banks

Western Security Bank ATM (406) 247-4100 2812 1st Ave N
Western Security Bank (406) 238-8100 2929 3rd Ave N
First Interstate Bank (406) 255-5290 302 N 31st St
First Interstate Bank (406) 237-1800 2825 3rd Ave N
US Bank (406) 657-8004 303 N 28th St
First Citizens Bank (406) 247-4100 2812 1st Ave N
Yellowstone Bank (406) 248-3600 3010 3rd Ave N
US Bank ATM (406) 657-6130 2714 6th Ave N
US Bank (406) 651-5626 6 24th St W
US Bank ATM (406) 651-1060 920 S 29th St W
First Interstate Bank (406) 255-6100 2501 Central Ave, #31317
Stockman Bank (406) 655-2700 2700 King Ave W
Rocky Mountain Bank (406) 656-4093 2511 Holman Ave, #B
Sterling Savings Bank – Billings (406) 256-1891 455 S 24th St W
First Interstate Bank (406) 255-5800 730 W Main St
US Bank (406) 657-8540 1645 Grand Ave
First Interstate Bank (406) 255-6090 3199 Grand Ave
Rocky Mountain Bank (406) 656-3140 2615 King Ave W
Western Security Bank (406) 238-8150 2675 King Ave W
Stockman Bank (406) 896-4800 800 Main St

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Sep 15

Some bank did not use chexsystems as their main checking account for bad records account holder.For an example,Capital Bank of North County has two branch locations, in Carlsbad.They actually uses Telecheck instead of ChexSystems e-fund upon verifying new accounts.

So, it is not the same system even though it is similar usage, which is to check account holder records.However, not all branches for Capital Bank of North Count uses Telecheck system.Most of them uses chexsystems e-fund to track previous records of people applying for accounts.So, just try it out Capital Bank of North County branches in Carlsbad.

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Sep 14

For those who still looking for Non chexsystems checking account, you might consider for Frost National Bank.This bank reported has been willing to open an account for those with a negative ChexSystems record.That’s what we heard and read.But to make sure it is still valid, you might want to check it out for yourself then.

However, there is something you need to do.Even though Frost National bank comes with Non chexsystems checking account, they only approve if you can provide a letter from the institution that reported stating that you owe no money to that institution. The account is called Frost Direct and comes with a Visa CheckCard.Sounds promising right?However, when it come to chexsystems,banks always changes their rules and policies time to time.You need to be hurry and try go for it.We need to hear of more experiences good or bad with them.Do response here if anyone had go for Non chexsystems checking account with Frost National Bank bank accounts!

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Sep 13

There was a lot of searches on  free list of banks that don’t use chexsytems.I’ve got it guys, they were actually trying to get a hold on a free list of Chexsystems banks that actually do not use chexsytems in their bank. Here are some of the bank in the United States that  doesn’t use chexsystems. This is a free list of Banks that don’t use chexsytems in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts
Bank Of New Hampshire

Some banks in Massachusetts that we have been told do not use chexsystems. If, you know of a bank that we have listed that does use chexsystems please email me. If you know of a bank in Massachusetts that doesn’t use chexsystems and we don’t have it listed please let us know so we can list it here for others. Thank you.

Hope this will help people out there!

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Sep 12

Some people do try searching for banks that do not use chexsystems.It simply because it was easy to verify new accounts or accomodate in some way for those who own a negative or bad ChexSystems report.If you choose to switch than fight, here I list banks that do not use chexsystems and credit unions which either do not use ChexSystems at all for verifying new accounts or accommodate those with a negative ChexSystems report. It is not a complete list, but there will be update on the banks that do not use chexsystems from time to time from Chexsystems info blog.So stay tune and keep coming back here!

Ok, here some of the list i’m bragging about just now, Banks that do not use chexsystems complete list.

  • Marketplace Bank is our new favorite. Reportedly they verify new accounts using your Equifax credit report instead of ChexSystems — at least for online applications. And no matter what your Equifax report looks like, you can always open an account should you also buy a $500.00 CD. Grade: B (preliminary — we need to hear of more experiences good or bad with them!)”Order your own checks for your NetBank account otherwise they will use Deluxe Check Printers, a sister company of ChexSystems.” width=”35″ height=”24″ align=”right” /> NetBank apparently has seen the light! They now are granting accounts to people regardless of a negative or two in their ChexSystems record. They do verify new accounts using ChexSystems but they grant an account to many even if there are negatives filed with ChexSystems. Apparently you can also use a credit card to make the initial deposit to fund your account. NetBank acquired CompuBank’s customers recently but hopefully this won’t affect NetBank negatively. Grade: A-

    Order your own checks for your RBC Centura account otherwise they will use Deluxe Check Printers, a sister company of ChexSystems.” width=”35″ height=”24″ align=”right” /> RBC Centura (formerly SFNB, Security First Network Bank) uses your BEACON score from your Equifax credit profile instead of a ChexSystems report for verifying new accounts. Grade: B+ . Order your own checks for your TD Waterhouse account otherwise they will use Deluxe Check Printers, a sister company of ChexSystems.” width=”35″ height=”24″ align=”right” /> TD Waterhouse Online Bank went from being our most admired to landing near the last-choice as they now are refusing accounts. Here’s a tip that apparently still works: Open an IRA account, which you can do with as little as $50 or less, perhaps. Then, after a week or so, you will be able to open a checking account with them. As a brokerage customer, you also will be able to avoid the monthly service charge on the checking account. The regular mutual fund accounts with TD Waterhouse however have a $1,000 initial deposit requirement. Make sure you understand that your opening deposit may not come back right away should you be denied an account. Grade: C-.

  • Frost National Bank has been willing to open an account for those with a negative ChexSystems record if they can provide a letter from the institution that reported them stating that they owe no money to that institution. The account is called Frost Direct and comes with a Visa CheckCard. Grade: B (preliminary — we need to hear of more experiences good or bad with them!)
  • USAA reportedly will accomodate those with a negative ChexSystems record. Grade: ? (we need more feedback either way on them.)
  • nBank.com reportedly verifies new accounts using your Equifax credit report instead of ChexSystems. Grade: C (preliminary — we need to hear of more experiences good or bad with them!)
  • Clarity Bank reportedly verifies new accounts using your Equifax credit report instead of ChexSystems. Grade: B (preliminary — we need to hear of more experiences good or bad with them!)
  • Officials at Wescom Credit Union claim that they verify all new accounts with ChexSystems however we hear otherwise. Several people who have negative ChexSystems reports and were unable to open an account elsewhere found success when trying to open a savings account or a direct-deposit checking account with Wescom. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. As a credit union, those eligible for membership are employees or their immediate family members who work at any company from this list of companies. See our Credit Union tips for more information. Deposits and withdrawals can be made at any Credit Union Service Center location across the country. Let us know whether or not Wescom was able to accomodate you. Grade: B+.
  • Skylight Bank (formerly DBC Financial) offers their $6.95 per-month Stratus Card to anyone who has Direct Deposit, regardless of their ChexSystems record. Unfortunately there is a $19.95 sign-up fee. You’ll receive an ATM card for cash withdrawals and debit card transactions. Grade: C- (Since everyone is approved we would like to give them a higher grade but we cannot due to the high per-month charge.) They haven’t been impressing the feds lately either.
  • Western Union offers their $10 per month Cash Card, which allows you to withdraw at ATMs and Western Union Agent Locations. Deposits also can be made at these agent locations, as well as by direct deposit. Grade: C- (because sign-up takes several weeks and because of the high per-month charge.)
  • Bank Caroline considers Equifax in addition to ChexSystems when verifying new accounts. Minor ChexSystems incidents which have been paid off and minor credit problems don’t seem to hurt your chances of getting an account. One caution, a single overdraft on this account will cause the ATM/Visa Check card to be disabled for 30 to 60 days. Grade: B
  • American Express Membership B@nking does verify new accounts with ChexSystems as well as perform a credit check. But a good credit report often will override a negative from your ChexSystems report. (Incidentally, a good ChexSystems report probably won’t override a bad credit report.) [FYI: We've had reports that if they do deny your application, they are slow to return your initial deposit -- as long as four weeks has been reported.] Grade: C (preliminary — we need to hear of more experiences good or bad with them!)
  • Person to person services such as Paypal and Yahoo! PayDirect can be quite useful alternatives to checking accounts. These services allow you to send payments through e-mail with funds drawn against your balance with the service or from your credit card. Since these are not traditional checking accounts, there is no verification with ChexSystems, Telecheck, Equifax, or any other credit reporting network. A credit card is required to register for Yahoo! PayDirect and PayMe.com, and with PayPal.com, you can register with a credit card or with either an existing savings or checking account. Additionally, PayPal announced plans to offer a debit card for providing access to the funds in your PayPal account.
  • Internet banks to avoid because of their policy of refusing new accounts based solely on ChexSystems data includes eBank.com, BankDirect.com, USABancshares.com, PCBanker.com, VirtualBank.com, and First Internet Bank of Indiana. Grade: F (They might be great online banks but we cannot give any of them a passing grade due to their ChexSystems policy.)

    As far as the company Consumer Resources: It is reportedly a scam. Same for FIRS.INFO.

    BankRate.com provides a list of Internet Banks. We’d like to hear of your experiences (positive or negative) with any of them to help us determine which ones to recommend.

    If you have the funds, you might want to consider opening a money market fund or brokerage account and get checking, savings, ATM, and VISA Check Card services with that account. See our Recommendation #15 for details and lists of where your money is welcome.

    State By State Listings

    In Alabama, Compass Bank verifies new accounts using TeleCheck instead of ChexSystems.

    Fedapostal Federal Credit Union, which has locations in Andalusia and Dothan, does not verify new accounts with ChexSystems. See our

    Suntrust Bank (formerly Crestar) reportedly verifies new accounts using Telecheck instead of ChexSystems.


    In Arizona, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union has some branch locations which use Equifax instead of ChexSystems to verify new accounts. At the branch locations which use Equifax, your credit will determine what type of account you are eligible for. At the branch locations which use ChexSystems, you might try requesting a savings-only account instead as aparently Equifax is used for savings-only account verifications. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. If you learn which branches use which agency, let us know so that we can post that information here. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    Compass Bank which bought Arizona Bank) verifies new accounts using TeleCheck instead of ChexSystems.

    DM Federal Credit Union with branch locations in Phoenix and Tucson was reported as to be not using ChexSystems. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    Arizona Federal Credit Union with branch locations in and around Phoenix and Tucson was reported as to be not using ChexSystems when you open a savings/ATM-only account. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    The Armed Forces Bank serves military and civilian customers, and appears to be willing to accomodate some people with a negative ChexSystems record. Branch locations can be found at Fort Huachuca, Luke AFB, and Yuma and also out-of-state.


    In Arkansas, Superior Federal does use ChexSystems, but reportedly will accomodate those with a negative in their ChexSystems record. The Baseline Road branch location is more strict than their others, however.

    In Little Rock, Member Service Federal Credit Union apparently does not use ChexSystems in verifying new accounts. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    United Arkansas Federal Credit Union (501) 565-8500, apparently does not use ChexSystems. See our Credit Union tipsfor more information.

    Arvest Bank reportedly will consider those with a negative ChexSystems record on a case-by-case basis.

    Bank of the Ozarks reportedly will overlook a negative ChexSystems record. May not be all branches that do this though, so let us know which ones do and which ones don’t.

    The Bank Of America branch locations in the Hot Springs area supposedly still use the practices from their previous lives as non-B Of A banks, and thus are not yet verifying new accounts through ChexSystems.


    In California, Technology Credit Union in Mountain View, Milpitas, San Jose, and Sunnyvale reportedly will overlook negatives in your ChexSystems record as long as you have a letter from the reporting bank or other proof that “all items owed have been paid”. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    Golden1 Credit Union has branch locations throughout the state and reportedly is willing to overlook a negative incident listed with ChexSystems. As a credit union, you must be eligible for membership — but anyone who lives or works in one of these counties or works at one of these companies is eligible. See our Credit Union tipsfor more information.

    Bay Cities Federal Credit Union, in San Leandro and Hayward reportedly will only look at the past two years of your ChexSystems history. Additionally, they will grant savings-only accounts regardless of what your ChexSystems record looks like. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. Call (510) 881-8866 for directions to either location.

    San Mateo Credit Union will open a savings account regardless of your regardless of their ChexSystems record. As a credit union, you must be eligible for membership — but anyone who lives, works or worships in San Mateo County qualifies. See our PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions.

    The Bank Of Santa Clara even wrote us insisting that they do use ChexSystems and will not open accounts for those with a negative however there apparently are several sympathetic account reps who will open an account for you as long as you can show that the incident has been paid up.

    San Francisco Federal Credit Union will reportedly grant a savings-only account to anyone, regardless of their ChexSystems history. As a credit union, you must be eligible for membership to join — but apparently anyone who lives, works or worships in San Francisco qualifies. See our Credit Union tips for more information. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions.

    Safeway Select Bank, which has branch locations in San Jose, Modesto and Gilroy, reportedly is accomodating to those with a negative ChexSystems record.

    Some branches of US Bank might open an account for you if the incident reported is more than one year old, was not reported by one of their banks, and you have proof that you paid the incident. They can be reached at 1-800-872-2657. The branch locations in Downey, Bellflower, Walnut Creek and Modesto have accomodated people with a negative in their ChexSystems record. Perhaps this criteria will work at other US Bank locations. Please let us know!

    Broadway Federal Bank, has eight branch locations in Los Angeles and will reportedly open a savings-only account for you as long as you can show proof that the incident with ChexSystems has been paid. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions.

    Union Bank of California reportedly offers savings accounts regardless of your ChexSystems history. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. Additionally, applications filed online from their website are often approved for a checking account even though the same applicant would be denied at a walk-in branch.

    Bank of America reportedly has changed their ChexSystems policies and are much more accomodating now.

    Downey Savings reportedly will ignore any incident on your ChexSystems record that are more than three years old.

    In Northridge, Matadors Federal Credit Union will open savings-only accounts regardless of your ChexSystems record. Their membership eligibility includes students and faculty of CSU Northridge. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    First Entertainment Credit Union serves employees and their families of the entertainment industry. The list of member employers totals 600 different companies. See our Credit Union tips for more information. This institution will grant ATM Savings Accounts for consumers with a negative ChexSystems record but requires written proof that the incident has been paid up and then also charges $4.50 per month for the account. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. Branch locations in Burbank, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Culver City.

    WestOne Federal Credit Union in Pleasonton and Concord will accomodate those with a negative in their ChexSystems record. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    Wescom Credit Union officials claim that they verify all new accounts with ChexSystems however we hear otherwise. Several people who have negative ChexSystems reports and were unable to open an account elsewhere found success when trying to open a savings account or a direct-deposit checking account with Wescom. (The Tustin branch is reported to be strict, however.) With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. As a credit union, membership is limited to residence in Los Angeles, Orange, or San Bernadino counties and to employees and their families of any of these employers Credit Union tips for more information. Deposits and withdrawals can be made at any Credit Union Service Center location across the country. Let us know whether or not Wescom was able to accomodate you.

    In downtown San Bernardino is reportedly a renegade branch of Washington Mutual where our tipster says they are overriding ChexSystems when an incident is more than a year old and you have a letter from the reporting bank or other proof that “all items owed have been paid.”

    The March Community Credit Union in Moreno Valley will allow those with a ChexSystems record to open savings-only accounts. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    The Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union will allow savings-only accounts regardless of what is in your ChexSystems report. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. See our Credit Union tips for more information.

    The California Credit Union (formerly known as Teachers Credit Union) offers to those who don’t qualify for standard account a special savings account. With a savings account you can use services such as PayPal which use EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) and ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions. The savings account requires a $500 minimum deposit however after six months you can open a checking account.

    Orange County Federal Credit Union does verify new accounts but some branch locations (the Lake Forest branch, for example) is willing to consider your application on a case-by-case basis.


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    Sep 12

    Ask the average American who or what ”ChexSystems” is, and you’ll get a blank stare. The unlucky people who do know about ChexSystems are usually painfully aware of how severely it can affect their lives. If you are on ChexSystems’ list, you have probably experienced the pain and frustration of not being able to open a new bank account, write checks, or use an ATM card (the core banking conveniences that everyone seems to take for granted). Unfortunately, millions of Americans are on (or have been on) the list, and are unable to enjoy these banking conveniences.

    If you are on the list, it is important for you to know what ChexSystems is (and what they are not). ChexSystems is not a bank or a financial institution. Instead, they are a large consumer reporting agency (CRA) that maintains a nationwide database of banking customers who have been reported for writing bad checks, defrauding banks, having unpaid bank debts, or having too many “non-sufficient funds” (NSF) items. ChexSystems is owned by a large publicly traded company, eFunds, Inc. ChexSystems tries to (and has succeeded!) keep a low public profile. They don’t have a company Web site, and it is relatively difficult to find information about them.

    Like the other large CRA’s (such as Experian and TransUnion), ChexSystems tries to distance itself from the problems it causes, claiming that it is simply a provider of information, and that it is the banks who use ChexSystems’ data who are the bad guys for turning customers down for new bank accounts. ChexSystems’ marketing materials claim that the company has no responsibility for the decisions banks make, stating that “ChexSystems neither approves nor declines accounts for banks and credit unions. The decision is entirely up to them.”

    This is a convenient position to take. However, the fact is that ChexSystems (like the other CRAs) is not perfect. They make mistakes and errors can find their way into consumer’s records. The problem is that an error in a ChexSystem record has a severe and dramatic impact on a consumer. Even a simple error in a consumer’s banking history can prevent that customer from opening a new bank account (or could even result in the customer having their current banking relationship terminated!). That is a LOT of power for a CRA to have.

    Other consumer’s find out that their banking record has been ruined as a result of identity theft. For example, a common scheme for some identity thieves is to open a bank account under someone else’s name, using a stolen social security number, and then take out a payday loan or two using the assumed identity. The funds are then withdrawn from the account, and the account is abandoned, eventually resulting in an account closure or NSFs. Unfortunately, the person whose identity was stolen now ends up on ChexSystem’s list. Unless you take steps to clear this situation up, you will be stuck on ChexSystems’ list (even worse, you’ll be stuck there for five years or more!).

    As a consumer, if you have been informed that you have a bad mark in your ChexSystems’ file, you need to act quickly to try to resolve it. Unfortunately, ChexSystems doesn’t make it easy for you to clear up a bad mark (even if it is clearly in error).
    Lots of people have never heard of ChexSystems until they have some banking problems. Then, you may be told the bad news that your bank account is being closed because you are on a list maintained by a company called “ChexSystems”. Then you need to find out: What is ChexSystems?

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