You see, we've been condition to actually believe that every bank in the United States uses Chex Systems and that we either have to settle for a second chance account or just hide our money some place in our house and hope for the best. But this couldn't be further from the truth.
There countless banks in the country and only 80% of them use Chex Systems. And while that may seem like a lot to you right now, there are still those 20% who have nothing to do with Chex Systems....and they're really all over the place!
It was something that I had to experience first hand myself and I spent a full year without an account just hoping for the best to come of it and thinking that I had to wait the full 5 years. When all along the truth was that there were indeed plenty of banks that don't use Chex Systems.
The other question I'm asked all the time is if a non Chex System bank is a real bank or not. The major banks sort of have a fault in this, but any bank that is FDIC insured regardless of what background checking system they use is not only a real bank but are safe to bank with. Your money is safe and secure.
And the last thing I'm always asked is whether or not non Chex banks exist locally, and again I'm happy to see that almost always yes they are. There are so many local FDIC insured banks around you that it's not even funny, you just have to know how and where to find them, or better yet find a source of information that you can trust.
In short, while many major banks and many misinformed sources will tell you that you have to settle for a second chance account, or that banks that don't use Chex Systems are not possible that couldn't be further from the truth. Keep your eyes open, your hopes up, and find a source of information that you can trust, and that will keep you out of trouble. :)
Please don't let Chex Systems or Telecheck get in the way of living a normal and happy life. It doesn't have to be that way! There are many banks that offer checking and or savings accounts regardless of your situation in these systems. I'm still in Chex Systems and have two checking and savings accounts with the works at real FDIC insured banks. Let me help you out of this situation that I know all too well...and help you find real banks that don't use Chex Systems in your area. http://www.getnonchexsystemschecking.com/