I am looking to find a bank in the Miami, FL, area which does not use
the Chex system to screen persons wishing to open up a checking
account.

Here's the details of my situation to clarify why I am seeking this
info:

In 1998, I cashed a  $500 check at Bank Of  America (where I had a
checking account). The person who wrote the check (a "friend" that
owed me money) cancelled the check. Then Bank of America wanted the
$500 back.  I never paid them and closed my account.

They put a mark on my record that prohibits me from opening a bank
account...not just at one of their brances, but at any bank!

I researched this a bit and found out that I was reported to the Chex
system.  I was told by one bank that I just need to find somewhere
that didn't use the Chex system to validate applicants.

Note: I was able to open an account at another bank in the time before
BOA reported me, so I have had an account for 4 years.  However, I
recently moved out of state and the bank doesn't have any branches
here.  So now I need to pay $500 to open an account.  Help!!!

Hello Dopamine,

I hope that the following list and information will assist you once
you get to the beautiful and wonderful Miami area:

ChexSystems Bites is a consumer advocate web site run by volunteers.
Their web site helps provide information to those who have been denied
a checking account due to the results of a search with the ChexSystems
network. ChexSystem Bites, which is found at
http://chexsys.tripod.com/goodbanks.html#florida publishes a list of
“good banks” of which these are a sample from that list:
Fidelity Federal branch locations in and around Palm Beach only
confirms with ChexSystems that you have no unpaid NSFs.
Gold Coast Federal Credit Union has branch locations in and around
West Palm Beach and is friendly as long as you have documentation
showing that all amounts owed have been paid. See our Credit Union
tips for more information.
Marketplace Bank has locations throughout the state in select
Winn-Dixie stores, reportedly verifies new accounts using your Equifax
credit report instead of ChexSystems.
Peoples Credit Union, with branch locations in North Miami and
Pembroke Pines, will ignore ChexSystems information when you open a
savings-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. Often, you can then open a checking
account shortly thereafter. See our Credit Union tips for more
information.
Compass Bank verifies new accounts using TeleCheck instead of
ChexSystems.
CityNational Bank with branch locations in and around Miami, Ft.
Lauderdale, and Palm Beach, relies on your credit report check rather
than using ChexSystems. Having proof that any incidents have been paid
apparently helps your chances.
1st National Bank of Homestead, with six branch locations either does
not use ChexSystems or is willing to consider those with a negative in
their ChexSystems record. At the Kendale Lakes branch ask for Maria
for assistance.
See their excellent web site for a more expansive list. 

For someone wanting the basics as well as more advanced stuff as well,
see the following site: 
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/chk/20020222a.asp

The CHEXsystems customer service page is at:
http://www.chexhelp.com/english/publik/index.htm If you have not
communicated with them in the past, note that you can provide
explanations to their report as well as ask for expungements. They are
subject to government regulation as a credit reporting bureau.

This site claims that its software (cost 9.95) permits you to search
out the “good banks” http://www.dpiersmacci.com/chexsystems.html

This site guarantees current and correct results, but the cost is $35:
http://www.passchecking.com/index_en.php

As for other financial institutions, such as credit unions,
CHEXsystems is also a vendor to them.
http://webusers.anet-stl.com/~jsweeney/cu/cubbs/vendors.html

Good luck and enjoy Miami!  
Weisstho-ga

Search Terms Used: 
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Chex+System%22
://www.google.com/search?num=20&hl=en&lr=lang_en&safe=active&q=%22ChexSystems%22+Miami

Just what I needed.  Thanks!!

Hey, I found this site - City National Bank sounds worth a try.

http://chexsys.tripod.com/goodbanks.html#florida

Let me know if that helps.

-Jason.

Here is the list of Bank in Florida. Open the site and find the bank
that is suitable for you.

http://www.qualisteam.com/pages/Banks/North_America/USA/Florida/

Try credit unions...

I found a great source for ChexSystems information 
http://aboutmycredit.com/chexsystems_solutions.htm

This other site tells you step by step how to get removed from Chexsystems. 

http://badcreditinfo.com/how_to_get_off_chexsystems.htm

I even found a list of non Chexsystems banks!

http://badcreditinfo.com/non_chexsystems_banks.htm