banking questions

Yes, most banks report to the chexsystem. If you have paid off an account in one state and this bank in FL verifies your info with the Chexsystem, they will see positive info. I don't think opening a new checking account will be a problem at that moment.

DId this other bank report you to Chexsystems, and how long ago was that old account closed? Did you close it, or did they charge it off?

Some banks, like the one I work at, won't even open an account at all if there is any kind of Chexsystems record. When that old account is paid off, you need to request that the Chexsystems record is removed. If they just mark it as "paid in full", a bank like where I work still won't open a new account.

It all depends what bank you are going to open your account at. Some won't do it until your Checxsystems report is clear and some will do it as long as you can show it's been paid and taken care of.

Chexsystem will keep the negative items in their system for five years. There will be some positive effect after the accounts are paid off.

Have you tried a credit union? They are usually more lenient than an actual bank. Some banks will open an account if you show proof that the debt from the other bank is paid, and some banks will not even though the debt is paid.

As brownsugar said, you will have a better chance if you go to a credit union. My credit union was very nice about opening an account with me. They also do random chexsystems checks and since my account was open before anything went on my report, they leave my account open.

Checksystems is not being used by most banks (Capital One Bank for one of them). I would recommend that you sign up with a credit union which is what I have at this point. Just remember that with checksystems, it will be on your record for five years (even if you have paid the bank account off).