I have what I imagine is a somewhat unique situation. I have had a rough few years financially, and have horrible credit. I even had two checking accounts closed (with nationwide banks) due to being overdrawn (no malicious intent or dishonesty - pure financial emergency, but, obviously, Chexsystems doesn't explain the reasons). Due to Chexsystems and my credit report, no bank I've talked with will open an account for me, even based on what was then, a large inheritance coming. However, I recently received this inheritance, and have a cashier's check in hand, and valid ID. Last week, before I got the check, banks still wouldn't help me, even though the money was due to be wired from a reputable bank (a family Trust account). My Chexsystems issues, and other bad credit, total only a few thousand dollars (so I now have plenty of money to pay them) - but because of this situation, and the size of the inheritance check (large) I'm not sure what to do. There's another check of equal size coming in a few weeks, so I would think at least some banks would want my business. I have bankers and attorneys on the sending side, ready to verify everything I'm saying. I am prepared to pay off the closed account debts, and other debts immediately.
Go back and contact some of the banks and see if their response is the same if you want to set up a savings account, rather than a checking account. Find out from them what it would take to allow you to be a customer.
If worse comes to worse, explore the feasibility of cashing the checks at a check casher. That is the least attractive alternative, of course, due to the fees involved. Another possibility for turning the funds into cash would be to have a friend or relative who would agree to allow you to endorse the checks over to them for them to cash. Obviously, they will want to be quite well assured that the checks are good, because if they are not, the amounts (plus fees) could be charged back to their account!
Let's say you get a savings account or you find a way to cash the checks. Now you need a way to be able to use the funds for payments of your debts and for living expenses. One thing you might want to explore is the use of a prepaid debit card. You purchase the card up front and that results in $X value being on the card. It can then be used to get cash at an ATM or to make purchases wherever the card brand is accepted. Do a search on the Internet for prepaid debit card and read more about the features before choosing one. You might also check with a convenient local financial institution about whether they sell such cards. They may also be called gift cards (but you, as the purchaser, could make a gift of the card's value to yourself. You don't have to give it to a third party.
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Go back and contact some of the banks and see if their response is the same if you want to set up a 