American Express does run a credit check for its checking account, but it is a soft pull that does not lower your credit score
American Express uses what is called a soft inquiry when you open a checking account with them. A soft inquiry means they look at your credit report to assess risk, but the check does not appear on your credit report in a way that other lenders can see, and it does not reduce your score. Hard inquiries — the kind that do show up and can lower your score by a few points — happen only when you are borrowing money, like explore for a credit card or a loan.
The soft pull lets Amex see your banking history and credit behavior without the penalty you would face from a hard inquiry. You will still see the inquiry on your own credit report if you pull it yourself, but it will not affect your score or show lenders that you are actively seeking new credit.
Key Takeaways
- American Express runs a soft credit inquiry for checking accounts, which does not lower your credit score or appear to other lenders.
- Soft inquiries are routine for bank account openings and are different from hard inquiries tied to credit applications.
- You do not need a perfect credit score to open an Amex checking account, though Amex may review your banking history and past account behavior with them.
- If you have been denied for an Amex credit product in the past, you can still open a checking account because the underwriting is separate.
Why Banks Run Credit Checks for Checking Accounts
Banks check credit reports for checking accounts to assess whether you are likely to overdraft, bounce checks, or maintain the account responsibly. They are not deciding whether to lend you money — they are deciding whether to take on the risk of you holding an account with them. A soft inquiry gives them enough information to make that decision without penalizing your credit score.
Amex also uses the check to see if you have had problems with other bank accounts in the past. If you have a history of overdrafts, closed accounts due to negative balances, or fraud flags, that information shows up in the check and may affect whether Amex opens the account for you.
What Amex Looks at Beyond Your Credit Score
Amex does not rely only on your credit score when reviewing a checking account process. They also look at your ChexSystems report, which is a banking history database separate from your credit report. ChexSystems tracks overdrafts, bounced checks, closed accounts, and fraud reports across banks.
If you have an existing relationship with Amex — you hold a credit card or have held one in the past — they will also review your payment history with them. Someone with a strong payment history on an Amex card is more likely to be approved for a checking account than someone with no history at all, even if both have the same credit score.
The Difference Between Soft and Hard Inquiries
A soft inquiry is a background check that does not affect your credit score. Banks, employers, and insurance companies run soft inquiries routinely. You can authorize them, or in some cases they happen without your explicit permission. Soft inquiries appear on your credit report only to you — other lenders cannot see them.
A hard inquiry happens when you explore for credit — a credit card, mortgage, auto loan, or personal loan. Hard inquiries do appear to other lenders and can lower your score by a few points, usually for three to six months. Multiple hard inquiries in a short time can signal to lenders that you are desperate for credit, which raises your risk profile.
Checking account applications trigger soft inquiries. Credit card applications trigger hard inquiries. This is why opening a checking account does not hurt your score the way explore for a credit card does.
What Happens if You Have Poor Credit or a ChexSystems Issue
A low credit score alone does not automatically disqualify you from opening an Amex checking account. Amex has no published minimum credit score requirement for checking accounts. However, if your ChexSystems report shows recent overdrafts, unpaid fees, or fraud, Amex may deny the process.
If you have been denied, you can request a copy of your ChexSystems report to see what triggered the decision. You have the right to dispute inaccurate information on that report, just as you do with your credit report. Some people are denied by one bank but approved by another because banks weight ChexSystems information differently.
How to Check Your Own ChexSystems Report Before explore
You can pull your ChexSystems report for free once per year through the official ChexSystems website. Pulling your own report is a soft inquiry and does not affect your credit score. Reviewing it before you explore to Amex lets you know whether there are issues that might cause a denial.
If you find errors on your ChexSystems report — a closed account listed as unpaid when you paid it, or a fraud claim that was not yours — you can file a dispute directly with ChexSystems. Disputes can take 30 to 45 days to resolve, so it is worth doing this before you explore to Amex if you know there are problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will opening an Amex checking account hurt my credit score?
No. Amex runs a soft inquiry, which does not lower your score or show up to other lenders. Your score will not change because you opened the account.
Can I be denied for an Amex checking account if I have bad credit?
A low credit score alone usually will not disqualify you. Amex is more concerned with your ChexSystems report — your banking history. However, if your credit report shows recent defaults or fraud, that can factor into the decision.
What if I was denied for an Amex credit card? Can I still open a checking account?
Yes. Checking account underwriting is separate from credit card underwriting. You can be denied for a credit card but approved for a checking account, or vice versa. The criteria and decision process are different.
Does Amex check my credit every time I use my checking account?
No. Amex checks your credit once, during the process process. They do not run new inquiries when you use the account or make deposits. They may review your account activity internally, but that is not a credit inquiry.
How long does the soft inquiry stay on my credit report?
Soft inquiries typically stay on your credit report for about one year, but they do not affect your score and do not show to other lenders. You are the only one who can see them when you pull your own report.