Chase Checking Account Review 2024: Compare Options & Fees
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Chase Checking Account Review 2024: Compare Accounts & Apply

  • Chase doesn’t require minimum opening deposits for its accounts.
  • Chase checking accounts are not free, but you can often get the monthly maintenance fee waived.
  • Chase Bank has more than 16,000 network ATMs and 4,700 branches across the country.
  • You can apply for a Chase checking account in person or online.

If you need a new checking account, Chase Bank may be a good choice. Find out more in this Chase checking account review.

We’ll cover:

  • Chase checking accounts you might consider
  • Chase checking account benefits
  • Chase checking account fees
  • How to apply for a Chase checking account

Chase checking accounts

Chase Bank offers a comprehensive slate of products, including checking and savings, investment accounts and credit cards. While Chase isn’t known for free checking options, almost anyone can find a Chase checking account type that works for them. Because Chase is a physical bank, it can be a good option for individuals and businesses that want a checking account they can use across the country with some assurances of being near a local branch.

We’ve summarized some Chase checking account options below. Fees, bonus offers and other terms reflect information published by Chase Bank as of March 2024.

Chase Total Checking®

This is Chase’s standard checking option. It is a good choice for everyday personal use for individuals and families. There’s a monthly fee, but you can avoid it easily by setting up direct deposit.

Key account information

  • Sign-up bonus. Earn a $300 welcome bonus if you have more than $500 of direct deposits in the first 90 days. You have to activate this offer to get the bonus.
  • Monthly fees. You’ll pay $12 per month unless you meet one of three requirements. If you have more than $500 in direct deposit monthly, a balance of $1,500 or more daily or an average balance of $5,000 or more, the monthly maintenance fee is waived.
  • Minimum opening deposit. There is no minimum deposit to open this account.
  • Interest on balances. This account doesn’t earn interest.
  • Overdraft fees. You’ll pay $34 per overdraft. Chase caps daily overdraft fees at three, so you could pay up to $102 per day.
  • ATM fees. If you use a non-Chase ATM, you will pay $3 to $5 for any transactions. That’s above any fees charged by the ATM owner.

Chase Secure Banking℠

While this is the only checking account on this list without an option to waive the monthly fee, it also has the lowest monthly fee. The lack of overdraft and money order fees makes this a potentially good second-chance checking option.

Key account information

  • Sign-up bonus. Earn a $100 welcome bonus by opening an account and having 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of activating the offer.
  • Monthly fees. This account comes with a monthly fee of $4.95 and no option for waiving it.
  • Minimum opening deposit. No minimum deposit is required to open this account.
  • Interest on balances. This account doesn’t earn interest.
  • Overdraft fees. You won’t pay overdraft fees with this account.
  • ATM fees. If you use a non-Chase ATM, you will pay $3 to $5 for any transactions. That’s above any fees charged by the ATM owner.

Chase Premier Plus Checking℠

With a Premier Plus Checking account, you won’t pay for money orders, cashier’s checks or counter checks, making this a good option for individuals who want easy, low-cost access to different types of payment mechanisms. This is also a good account for military members or qualifying veterans, as they won’t pay the monthly maintenance fee.

Key account information

  • Sign-up bonus. Chase didn’t have a published welcome bonus for this account type as of March 1, 2024.
  • Monthly fees. The monthly service fee is $25 unless you meet one of the waiver qualifications. Those are an average daily balance of $15,000 or more, a linked Chase first mortgage with automatic payments from a Chase account or veteran or active duty status with the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • Minimum opening deposit. There is no minimum deposit to open this account.
  • Interest on balances. Balances in the account accrue interest at a rate of 0.01% APY.
  • Overdraft fees. You’ll pay $34 per overdraft. Chase caps daily overdraft fees at three, so you could pay up to $102 per day.
  • ATM fees. You won’t pay bank-based ATM fees for the first four non-Chase ATM transactions per statement period. After that, it’s $3 to $5 per transaction on top of fees charged by the ATM owner.

Chase Sapphire℠ Checking

This is a good checking account for Chase loyalists, as you can link other accounts to it to qualify for a fee waiver. Account holders may also get higher limits for Zelle, mobile deposits and ATM transactions.

Key account information

  • Sign-up bonus. Chase didn’t have a published welcome bonus for this account type as of March 1, 2024.
  • Monthly fees. You pay $25 per month unless you have an average daily balance of $75,000 total in this account or across your qualifying Chase Bank accounts.
  • Minimum opening deposit. No minimum deposit is required to open this account.
  • Interest on balances. Balances in the account accrue interest at a rate of 0.01% APY.
  • Overdraft fees. You won’t pay overdraft fees with this account.
  • ATM fees. You won’t pay bank ATM fees at non-Chase ATMs with this account, but you may still pay fees charged by ATM owners.

Chase Private Client Checking℠

Private Client Checking account holders get access to a dedicated team at Chase that can help you with building and managing your wealth. You might consider this account if you want a user-friendly checking account with options for building out other investments.

Key account information

  • Sign-up bonus. You can earn up to $3,000 in increments of $1,000 when depositing up to $500,000 to eligible Chase accounts within 45 days. You also have to keep the money in your accounts for up to 90 days.
  • Monthly fees. The monthly fee is $35. It’s waived if you have an average daily balance of $150,000 or more in this account or in total in this and qualified linked accounts. The fee is also waived if you have a Chase Platinum Business Checking℠ account.
  • Minimum opening deposit. No minimum deposit is required to open this account.
  • Interest on balances. Balances in the account accrue interest at a rate of 0.01% APY.
  • Overdraft fees. You won’t pay overdraft fees with this account.
  • ATM fees. You won’t pay bank ATM fees at non-Chase ATMs with this account, but you may still pay fees charged by ATM owners.

Chase Bank checking account benefits

As a well-established national bank, any Chase checking account you choose is likely to provide benefits such as:

Chase checking account fees

Chase doesn’t offer any free accounts, but you can waive Chase Bank monthly service fees on all accounts other than the Secure Checking account. Other fees do apply, but they vary for each account.

Chase checking account fee comparison

Fee Type Chase Total Checking® Chase Secure Checking℠ Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ Chase Sapphire℠ Checking Chase Private Client Checking℠
Monthly service fee $12 if you don’t meet electronic or balance minimum requirements $4.95 $25, unless you meet balance requirements, have a linked Chase mortgage account or are a service member or veteran of the armed forces $25 for balances under $75,000 $35 for balances under $150,000, unless you have a linked Chase Platinum Business Checking℠ account
Non-Chase ATM fee $3 to $5 $3 to $5 None for the first 4 each statement period and $3 to $5 after that None None
Non-ATM cash fee $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater None None
Overdraft fee $34 None $34 None for 4 days each year; $34 per overdraft after that None for 4 days each year; $34 per overdraft after that
Card replacement rush fee $5 $5 $5 None None
Counter check fee $3 per page of checks $3 per page of checks None None None
Money order fee $5 each None None None None
Cashier’s check fees $10 None None None None
Legal processing fees Up to $100 Up to $100 Up to $100 None None
Consumer online USD international wire fee $0 to $50 $0 to $50 $0 to $50 None None
Consumer online FX international wire fee $0 to $50 $0 to $50 $0 to $50 None None
Stop payment fee $30 $30 $30 None None
Online or automated phone stop payment fee $25 $25 $25 None None
Order for checks or supplies fee Varies depending on the order Varies depending on the order None on Chase design checks when ordered through Chase None on Chase design checks when ordered through Chase None on personal style checks when ordered through Chase

How to choose which Chase checking account is right for you

The best checking account depends on which one meets your financial preferences and needs. First, is Chase Bank a good bank for you? If the reason you’re considering Chase is access to a local branch, for instance, make sure that there are branches in your town.

While there’s no minimum balance for opening a Chase checking account, how much you keep in your account can make a difference in monthly costs. If you keep a high balance in your checking regularly, you might choose a Sapphire or Premier Plus account, as you can avoid other types of fees with those.

If you don’t keep a high average checking balance, you can still drop the monthly fee with a Chase Total Checking account as long as you have more than $500 in direct deposits. Full-time employees will likely find this easy to accomplish.

How to open a Chase checking account

You can open a Chase checking account at a local branch or online. To open an individual or joint checking account, each potential account holder will need a government-issued photo ID. The checking account application requires your full name, a Social Security or tax ID number, residential address and contact information. Generally, you’ll need to be 18 to open your own checking account. However, many banks, including Chase, offer teen checking accounts to give teenagers experience in managing their own money, with the help of a parent or guardian.

You will also need a way to fund your new account. You can do that with cash or a check if you are setting up the account in person. If you’re setting up an account online, you can fund it with a debit or credit card from another account or an ACH transfer.

Other checking account options at Chase Bank

Chase offers checking accounts other than the ones listed in this guide. Other options include checking accounts for students and kids, as well as business checking accounts.

Our top picks for the best checking accounts

FAQ: Chase checking accounts

Does Chase have free checking accounts?

There is a Chase Bank monthly fee for all accounts. While Chase doesn’t offer free accounts, you can waive the monthly fee on most accounts by meeting one or more requirements.

What is the minimum balance for a Chase checking account?

There is no Chase minimum balance checking requirement. However, some accounts have average balance thresholds you have to meet to waive a monthly fee.

Does Chase have a checking account bonus?

Chase offers welcome bonuses on several of its checking accounts. You must be a new Chase customer to earn these bonuses.

Is Chase a good bank for checking accounts?

Chase is a well-known bank with thousands of branches across the country. It’s FDIC-insured and offers numerous types of deposit, investment and credit accounts.

What fees do Chase checking accounts have?

Chase checking account fees vary by account but can include monthly maintenance, overdraft and ATM fees. You might also pay fees for counter checks, wire transfers, money orders and other transactions. If you’re looking for a checking account without fees, the Amex Rewards checking account may be a better option.

About the Author

Sarah Stasik
Sarah Stasik Personal Finance

Sarah Stasik is well versed in personal finance thanks to her previous role as a Revenue Cycle Manager for a Fortune 500 healthcare company. Using her inside knowledge and expertise, Sarah often covers topics ranging from insurance and the economics of private healthcare to personal finance and small business management.

With more than a dozen years of writing experience, Sarah has tackled niches that range from technical advances in fintech to personal budgeting challenges. She has covered topics such as insurance and the economics of private healthcare, small business management and accounting, and credit and savings. Her writing focuses on making complex or seemingly daunting financial topics more accessible and providing helpful and relevant resources for readers.

About the Reviewer

Blake Esken
Blake Esken Los Angeles Times

Blake Esken has over 15 years of experience in product management and has been a member of the Los Angeles Times staff for over five years.

As part of his role at the Los Angeles Times Commerce Team, Blake acts as the in-house reviewer and fact checker for LA Times Compare. He supervises all content for compliance and accuracy and puts to use skills he has honed through years of experience managing high-stakes projects for a range of industry-leading companies.

He has a strong background in data analysis, compliance, and communication, which allows him to support LA Times Compare through fact-checking in an effort to provide up-to-date and factual information across our content.

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