denied a checking account for bad credit?

I posted a few weeks back about how i wanted to open a new checking account. I've been doing research on a few banks and I can never find an exact answer. Im in New york state and Looking to open a basic checking account with either washington mutual or Commerce Bank. Im not worried about passing the chexsystems but I'm worried about being denied a checking account cause of my bad credit and i have heard of this happening. does anyone have any experience or know about the procedures of these banks? or maybe perhaps another bank where i wont have a problem opening an account. thanks in advance.

While I can't offer you any specific bank, I would advise checking your local banks, maybe credit unions too, and asking if they run your credit when opening an account. Perhaps you can avoid it by not attempting to get an account with either a card or any sort of overdraft loan protection.

Pm goudah he is a mod with lots of know on getting acct with banks.

I think goudah's a woman...

I am a woman . . . . . But that's okay.

What part of NY are you looking for a bank in?

You are clear of chexsystems reports, right? You just want to make sure they don't run your credit? Depending on your area, you will probably have quite a few options. Most banks use chexsystems, but some also run credit too. I think there's even a bank in NY that only requires a drivers license.

If you don't want to post your location, you can PM me with it and I can get back to you that way about a good bank.

I am so sorry,definately a brainfart cause I knew he was a she!Sorry

I may not be around too much for the next couple days, so I'll post some possible banks here for you. WaMu is hit or miss as far as pulling a credit report. It seems that it depends on the bank what they pull, some only use chexsystems, others only use credit reports. Commerce bank only uses chexsystems, I think. There are several commerce banks, so if you could post the full name I can be sure. If the full name is Commerce Bank, then they only use chexsystems. If you have another specific bank in mind let me know and I can tell you what they use.

Most of the big, national banks use chexsystems. I doubt they also run credit reports, exept when applying online. I would definatly go into the bank and apply in person. Also, in the above banks, anytime it mentions fraud on the report, or anything like that, it's refering to chexsystems report, not credit report. Again, if you have a specific bank you want to know about let me know!

Goudah, Dont know if I ever Thanked You. Your work on these banks is OUTSTANDING!!!! and will be very helpful to many people. KYSIDE38

Wow thanks Goudah and all for the help!

Goudah, Im in New York City. Yes, I am aware of the chexsystems, I dont have a problem with overdrafts or nsf's. i just have bad credit and am looking for a place where they wont pull a CR and deny me an account.

I was looking at Commerce Bank as a possibility (there full name is Commerce Bank) so knowing they only use chexsystems helps a lot,that's a popular bank here so i wasnt sure about them. I was also thinking about Bank of America, i know they use chexsystems but im not sure if they will also pull a CR.

oops,that was me as Guest. forgot to login.

I know that WaMu does NOT run your credit to open an account. They DO run you through ChexSystems. If any kind of ChexSystems report comes up, even if it shows as paid, they still cannot open an account. Not even a savings. Most credit unions WILL run your credit. Hence, the name "credit" union. If they don't, that's great. But, don't count on it. I also know that WaMu has that free checking account where they don't require direct deposit or any kind of minimum balance. Please IM me if you have any questions about them.

Swedishgirl - I was told that it depended on the bank, where the bank was located, and what kind of accounts were being opened for WaMu. Do you know if the chex only is nation wide or just the west coast? Plus, I was told that when you apply online with them they run a CR first, just to verify your information to approve or not, then a chex report is run a day or two later. Do you know if this is true?

That's what I was told when I talked to them a few months ago. You'd know more about WaMu then I do, so is any of this correct?

Also, I know a few people that have unpaid chex reports within the last 2 years that have opened accounts at WaMu and the accounts have stayed open.

I know some banks (B of A specifically) that says they have a policy of this, but don't really follow it. That could be what's going on with WaMu . . . .

Bank of America does pull your experian credit report when you apply online. They do not run a chexsystems report in that case. When you go into the branch, I beleive they only run chexsystems, but because I do know they pull CR's when applying online, there is a chance they pull credit reports when you apply in the branch too.

Found my email from WaMu . . .

Swedishgirl - If this is incorrect please PM me with the correct info . . . I really want my list to be correct for people, I'd hate to be giving out the wrong information.

Here's the email response from Commerce Bank:

Goudah,

Do you have a list for Ohio? I tried to add my husband to my checking account but he was denied because of credit. He has nothing on Chexsystems though.