Another possibility that comes to mind is that people have had checking accounts in the past, and got into overdraft trouble. Once that happens, if they aren’t able to pay off the hefty fines - some banks charge $8 a day if an account is overdrawn - then they go into a chex system - which prohibits them from opening a checking account at another bank. This might be one reason your renters pay cash or with a money order.
“if an account is overdrawn - then they go into a chex system “
So you are saying the banking industry conspires to screw consumers too — maintains a common database. These credit reporting agencies are the scourge of commerce.
Can a consumer even go to a credit union and specifically get an account and deny all outside interaction with third parties ? What happened to simply two party contracts? You and institution, nobody else?