5 Best Business Accounts for ChexSystems Issues in 2026

To build this list of the best business checking accounts for owners with ChexSystems issues, I focused on fintech platforms with flexible online application processes and bank accounts specifically designed for customers with previous banking challenges. My goal was to identify practical options while recognizing that each provider has its own eligibility requirements and approval process.

Each account was evaluated using consistent criteria that reflect how business owners compare checking accounts, including the following categories: 

Eligibility and application requirements: I reviewed the business types each provider supports, the documents required, and whether the account is available online or must be opened at a branch. I also considered whether the provider offers a second-chance account or describes alternative verification methods.

Pricing and value: I compared monthly maintenance fees, opening deposit requirements, setup fees, transaction charges, and opportunities to waive fees. Accounts with low ongoing costs and fewer balance requirements ranked higher.

Core banking features: I evaluated each account’s ability to support everyday business transactions, including ACH payments, wire transfers, checks, debit cards, bill pay, invoicing, and subaccounts.

Cash deposit access: I reviewed whether businesses can deposit cash at branches, ATMs, or participating retail locations, along with any applicable fees or transaction limits.

Digital banking tools: I considered the online and mobile banking experience, accounting integrations, expense management features, payment tools, and options for giving team members or accountants account access.

Customer support and accessibility: I reviewed the support channels offered by each provider, including phone, email, chat, and in-person assistance, along with any restrictions on when or how an account can be opened.

I used information from each bank or fintech provider’s official website, including its product pages, help center, fee schedules, and account disclosures. Because providers do not always disclose which consumer reporting services they use, inclusion does not guarantee that an account can be opened without a ChexSystems review or that an applicant will be approved.

Bluevine Standard is a good fit for small businesses that want an interest-bearing online checking account without a monthly maintenance fee. It offers everyday banking tools, multiple subaccounts, payment acceptance, and optional access to financing in one digital platform.

You may want to choose Bluevine Standard if:

• You want to earn interest without paying a monthly fee: The Standard account earns 1.3% APY on balances up to $250,000 and has no monthly maintenance fee.
• You want to separate funds for different purposes: You can create up to five subaccounts to organize money for taxes, payroll, operating expenses, or other business goals.
• You send and receive payments in several ways: Bluevine supports ACH payments, domestic and international wires, checks, bill pay, invoices, payment links, and Tap to Pay.
• You occasionally need to deposit cash: Unlike Novo and Mercury, Bluevine accepts cash deposits through Allpoint+ ATMs and Green Dot retail locations, although fees apply.
• You may need business financing: Eligible businesses can apply for a Bluevine line of credit, while additional lending products are available through its partners.

Bluevine Standard provides a broad mix of banking and payment tools, but another provider may better match certain needs.

Consider another provider if:

• You need a second-chance business account: Woodforest National Bank specifically offers an account for business owners with previous banking challenges.
• You handle cash frequently: Bluevine’s third-party cash deposit fees can add up. A traditional bank with branch deposits may be more economical.
• You want in-person assistance: Bluevine does not have physical branches, so customer service and account management are handled remotely.
• You send frequent domestic wires: Mercury may be a better fit because it does not charge for domestic wire transfers, while Bluevine Standard charges $15 for outgoing domestic wires.
• You want built-in accounting and tax tools: Lili’s paid plans include bookkeeping, expense categorization, financial reports, and tax-saving features.

Woodforest National Bank Second Chance Business Checking is designed for business owners who have experienced previous bank account challenges and want access to a traditional banking relationship. It is best suited to lower-volume businesses that can use a Woodforest branch and do not mind paying a monthly fee for a second-chance account.

You may want to choose Woodforest Second Chance Business Checking if:

• You have experienced previous banking challenges: Woodforest specifically designed this account for business customers who may have had difficulty maintaining a bank account in the past.
• You want in-person banking: Woodforest offers physical branches where you can receive assistance and complete transactions.
• Your business accepts cash: You can deposit cash directly at a Woodforest branch instead of relying on a retail cash deposit network.
• You have a lower monthly transaction volume: The account includes up to 250 items each month before a 25-cent per-item fee applies.
• You want traditional business banking services: The account includes a business debit card, bill pay, mobile check deposit, online banking, and access to additional business banking products.

Woodforest’s second-chance account offers branch access and a path back into business banking, but its fees and limitations may make another account more economical.

Consider another provider if:

• You want to avoid monthly fees: Bluevine, Novo, Mercury, and Lili all offer entry-level business checking accounts without monthly maintenance fees.
• You want to earn interest: Woodforest Second Chance Business Checking is non-interest-bearing. Bluevine Standard offers interest on eligible checking balances.
• You do not have a Woodforest branch nearby: A fully online provider may be more convenient if Woodforest does not operate in your area.
• You complete more than 250 transactions each month: Woodforest charges 25 cents for each item above the monthly allowance, while some online providers offer unlimited transactions.
• You send wires regularly: Woodforest’s published wire fees are considerably higher than those of Novo, Bluevine, or Mercury.
• You want an entirely online application and banking experience: Bluevine, Novo, Mercury, or Lili may be a better fit if you prefer to open and manage your account without visiting a branch.

Novo Business Checking is a good fit for independent businesses that want to manage banking, payments, invoicing, and cash flow from one digital platform. Its lack of monthly fees, balance requirements, and transaction limits makes it especially useful for businesses that primarily receive and send money electronically.

You may want to choose Novo Business Checking if:

• You want fee-free digital checking: Novo has no monthly maintenance fee, minimum balance requirement, or transaction limit.
• You need help organizing business funds: Novo Reserves lets you divide money among up to 20 budgeting categories for taxes, payroll, inventory, operating expenses, and other goals.
• You invoice customers or clients: You can create invoices, track their status, send automatic reminders, and receive payments directly into your account.
• You use several business platforms: Novo connects with more than 40 tools, including QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, Shopify, Square, and Amazon.
• You pay vendors and contractors electronically: Novo supports standard and Express ACH, recurring payments, mailed checks, and domestic wires.
• You use ATMs occasionally: Novo does not charge ATM fees and reimburses up to $7 in eligible third-party ATM fees each month.

Novo offers useful digital tools, but its lack of cash deposit access, interest earnings, and branches makes it less suitable for certain businesses.

Consider another provider if:

• Your business accepts cash: Novo does not accept cash deposits. Bluevine, Lili, or a traditional bank may be a better fit.
• You want to earn interest on checking balances: Novo Business Checking does not earn interest. Bluevine Standard offers interest on eligible balances.
• You need in-person banking: Novo has no physical branches. Woodforest National Bank may be more appropriate if you want branch access.
• You have previous banking challenges: Novo does not position its account as a second-chance product. Woodforest specifically offers Second Chance Business Checking.
• You send domestic wires frequently: Novo charges up to $30 for an outgoing domestic wire, while Mercury offers domestic wires without a fee.
• You need advanced treasury services: A provider such as Mercury or Bluevine may offer more options for managing larger balances and complex financial workflows.

Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC. FDIC deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Deposits in checking and savings accounts are FDIC-insured through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A. and their Sweep Program Network Banks. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through FDIC insurance to apply.

Mercury Business Checking is a good fit for growing companies that want banking, payments, cards, invoicing, and expense management in one digital platform. Although Mercury remains popular with startups, it now supports a much broader range of businesses, including ecommerce companies, agencies, consultants, accounting firms, real estate and construction businesses, and health care service providers.

You may want to choose Mercury if:

• You manage a growing team: Mercury offers physical and virtual cards, role-based permissions, spending limits, approval workflows, and employee reimbursements.
• You send wires regularly: Mercury does not charge for domestic wires or outgoing USD international wires, although intermediary fees may affect international payments.
• You want to streamline accounts payable: Mercury Bill Pay can extract information from bills, organize payment approvals, and sync transaction data with accounting software.
• You operate more than one business: Mercury allows eligible owners to manage multiple businesses and accounts from one login.
• You need accounting integrations: Mercury connects with QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite and provides tools for automating transaction categorization and reconciliation.
• You expect your financial needs to become more complex: Businesses can add paid workflow plans, credit cards, working capital loans, venture debt, or Mercury Treasury as they grow, subject to eligibility.
• You want a core account without a required monthly fee: Mercury’s standard business banking plan has no required monthly fee, opening deposit, or minimum balance.

Mercury offers a broad set of financial tools, but another provider may better fit businesses that need cash access, branch service, or interest-bearing checking.

Consider another provider if:

• Your business accepts cash: Mercury does not support cash deposits. Bluevine, Lili, or a traditional bank may be more practical.
• You want in-person banking: Mercury has no physical branches. Woodforest National Bank provides branch access in its service area.
• You want to earn interest directly on checking balances: Mercury Business Checking does not earn interest. Bluevine Standard offers interest on eligible checking balances.
• You have previous banking challenges: Mercury does not position its account as a second-chance product. Woodforest specifically designed its Second Chance Business Checking account for customers with previous bank account challenges.
• You want a more basic digital account: Novo may be a better fit if you primarily need fee-free checking, invoicing, budgeting reserves, and straightforward payment tools.
• You want built-in accounting and tax preparation tools: Lili’s paid plans include bookkeeping, financial reports, tax savings, and expense categorization.

Lili is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Sunrise Banks, N.A., Member FDIC. The Lili Visa® Debit Card is issued by Sunrise Banks, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. The Card may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

Lili Business Checking is a good fit for businesses that want banking and financial management tools in one platform. While it remains useful for freelancers and sole proprietors, Lili now supports LLCs, partnerships, corporations, nonprofits, multiple owners, and growing teams.

You may want to choose Lili if:

• You want a free starting account with room to upgrade: Lili Core has no monthly fee, and you can move to a paid plan when you need more advanced financial tools.
• You want banking and financial management in one place: Eligible paid plans include expense categorization, tax savings, bookkeeping automation, invoicing, bill management, and financial reports.
• You manage multiple owners or team members: Lili supports multi-owner businesses, role-based access, employee cards, and multiple business accounts under one login.
• You want a separate interest-bearing savings account: All Lili plans provide access to business savings that earns a tiered APY on eligible balances.
• You occasionally deposit cash: Lili accepts cash deposits at more than 90,000 participating retail locations, although retailer fees may apply.
• You use several business platforms: Lili integrates with accounting, payroll, ecommerce, and payment tools, including QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, Stripe, Square, and Shopify.
• You need international payment capabilities: Eligible legal entities can send and receive international wires in supported currencies and countries.

Lili offers a wide range of banking and financial tools, but many of its most useful accounting and tax features require a paid plan.

Consider another provider if:

• You want advanced financial tools without a subscription: Novo includes invoicing, expense tracking, and budgeting reserves without a monthly maintenance fee.
• You deposit cash frequently: Retail cash deposit fees can add up. Woodforest or another traditional bank may be more economical for a cash-heavy business.
• You want interest on checking rather than savings: Lili Core checking does not earn interest. Bluevine Standard earns interest on eligible checking balances.
• You send wires frequently: Lili charges $15 for outgoing domestic wires and $25 for outgoing international wires. Mercury offers free domestic and USD international wire options.
• You want branch access: Lili is a digital platform without physical branches. Woodforest National Bank offers in-person banking in its service area.
• You need a second-chance business account: Lili does not position its account as a second-chance product. Woodforest specifically offers an account for customers with previous bank account challenges.

Confirm that the provider supports your business structure, industry, and location. Also check whether you must apply online or visit a branch. Woodforest National Bank, for example, offers its Second Chance Business Checking account through its branches.

Application requirements vary, but you may need to provide:

• Your legal business name and address
• Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security number
• Business formation documents
• A government-issued ID
• Personal information for owners or authorized signers
• Information about your industry, revenue, and account activity

Having these documents ready can help prevent delays, but it does not guarantee approval.

Follow the provider’s application instructions and answer every question accurately. Online providers may let you submit the entire application digitally, while a traditional bank may require an in-person appointment.

Even when a provider does not publicly disclose whether it reviews ChexSystems, it must still verify applicants and comply with banking regulations. You may be asked for additional identity, ownership, address, or business documentation.

If approved, fund the account using an accepted method, such as an ACH transfer, check deposit, wire transfer, or cash deposit. Available funding methods vary by provider.

Look for opening deposit requirements, supported business structures, geographic restrictions, and any industries the provider does not serve. If you have experienced banking problems, consider an account specifically described as second-chance checking.

Review the monthly maintenance fee and whether it can be waived. Also compare charges for wire transfers, excess transactions, ATM withdrawals, cash deposits, and overdrafts.

A no-monthly-fee account may still become expensive if you regularly use services that carry individual charges.

Some accounts include unlimited routine transactions, while others provide a monthly allowance and charge for additional items. Estimate how many deposits, withdrawals, payments, and transfers your business completes during a typical month.

Useful digital banking features may include:

• Mobile check deposit
• ACH payments and transfers
• Online bill pay
• Digital invoicing
• Expense tracking
• Accounting software integrations
• Multiple accounts or budgeting categories
• Employee cards and user permissions

If your business accepts cash, determine where you can deposit it and how much each deposit will cost. Some online providers use participating ATMs or retail locations, while others do not accept cash deposits.

Consider whether you are comfortable receiving assistance online or by phone. A traditional bank may be a better fit if you frequently need teller services, cash handling, cashier’s checks, or in-person problem resolution.

Confirm whether the account is opened directly with an FDIC-insured bank or whether a fintech places deposits with one or more partner banks. For fintech accounts, review the provider’s disclosures explaining where deposits are held and how FDIC insurance may apply.