Chase checking accounts compared: Choose from 5 accounts with no minimum opening deposit

Updated

2021-08-31T21:49:47Z

Chase Checking Account Editors' Rating Standout Feature Monthly Fee Next Steps

Chase Total Checking®

Learn More

A five pointed star 3.5 /5

Easy to waive monthly fee, $225 bonus

$12 or $0

Learn More

Chase Secure Banking℠

Learn More

A five pointed star 4 /5

Low monthly fee, $100 bonus

$4.95

Learn More

Chase Premier Plus Checking℠

Learn More

A five pointed star 3.5 /5

Waive 4 ATM fees/month

$25 or $0

Learn More

Chase Sapphire℠ Checking

Learn More

A five pointed star 4 /5

No foreign transaction fees, refunds ATM fees

$25 or $0

Learn More

Chase Private Client Checking Account

Learn More

A five pointed star 4 /5

Private banker, Business Relationship Manager, exclusive events

$35 or $0

Learn More
  • Chase Total Checking review
  • Chase Secure Banking review
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking review
  • Chase Sapphire Checking review
  • Chase Private Client Checking review
  • FAQs

Chase Total Checking review

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

None

Editor's Rating

  • Pros & Cons
  • Details
  • Pros
    • No required opening deposit
    • Over 4,700 branches
    • $225 sign-up bonus
    • Free overdraft protection when you link to savings for automatic transfers
    Cons
    • $12 monthly fee unless you meet direct deposit or minimum balance requirements
    • $2.50 fee for out-of-network ATMs
    • No out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements
    • 3% foreign transaction fee
    • $34 overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees (no fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day)
    • New Chase checking customers enjoy a $225 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit
    • Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
    • Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
    • Open your account online now
    • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
    • Overdraft Services - no fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day*
    • *We charge a $34 Insufficient Funds Fee per item during our nightly processing beginning with the first item that overdraws your account balance by more than $50 (maximum of 3 fees per business day, up to $102).
    Read Our Review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right

    Chase Total Checking® is a good option if you want a basic checking account, because it's easy to waive the $12 monthly service fee. You just have to electronically deposit $500 per month, start each day with a $1,500 balance, or maintain a daily average balance of $5,000 in all of your Chase accounts. You also may qualify for a $225 bonus.

    Chase Secure Banking review

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    None

    Editor's Rating

  • Pros & Cons
  • Details
  • Pros
    • No minimum opening deposit
    • No overdraft fees
    • Free money orders and cashier's checks
    • Receive a $100 sign-up bonus when you open an account online or at a branch with your coupon and make 60 qualifying transactions within the first 60 days
    Cons
    • $4.95 monthly service fee, no option to waive
    • Does not include paper checks
    • No wire transfers to or from this account
    • New Chase checking customers enjoy $100 when you open a Chase Secure Banking℠ account with qualifying activities.
    • No minimum deposit to open, no fees for Chase Online℠ Bill Pay, money orders, cashier's checks or to send money
    • No paper checks to track
    • Just a simple $4.95 monthly service fee
    • Use the Chase debit card to help you spend only the money you have available, without worrying about overdraft fees.
    • Bank with the Chase Mobile® app and Chase Online℠
    • Get helpful account alerts so you can monitor your balance and more.
    • No need to worry about unauthorized card transactions when reported promptly with Zero Liability Protection.
    Read Our Review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right

    You can't waive the fee on your Chase Secure Banking℠ account, but the $4.95 is relatively low. You might like it if you're unable to waive the $12 fee with Chase Total Checking.

    Chase Premier Plus Checking review

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.01% effective as of 11/15/2021. Interest rates are variable and subject to change

    Editor's Rating

  • Pros & Cons
  • Details
  • Pros
    • No required opening deposit
    • Over 4,700 branches
    • Four waived out-of-network fees per month
    • Free 3-inch by 5-inch safe deposit box (20% off larger boxes)
    • Free Chase design checks, cashier's checks, and money orders
    • Waive monthly fees on 2 other Chase checking accounts when linked to this account, and to Chase savings accounts excluding Chase Private Client Savings
    Cons
    • $25 monthly fee unless you have $15,000 or a Chase mortgage
    • $2.50 fee for out-of-network ATMs
    • No out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements
    • 3% foreign transaction fee
    • $34 overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees
    • The $25 monthly service fee is waived when you keep an average beginning day balance of $15,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances, including in qualifying investment accounts
    • No Chase fee on first four non-Chase ATM transactions per statement period
    • Earn interest on your checking account balance
    • Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and over 4,700 branches
    • Open your account online now
    • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
    Read Our Review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right

    Your get many more perks with Chase Premier Plus Checking℠, including a free 5-inch by 3-inch safe deposit box, four waived out-of-network ATM fees each month, and waived monthly fees on two linked Chase checking accounts and to Chase savings accounts. However, you'll pay a $25 monthly fee if you can't keep a $15,000 balance in all of your Chase bank accounts and partner investment accounts combined.

    Chase Sapphire Checking review

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.01% effective as of 09/24/2021. Interest rates are variable and subject to change

    Editor's Rating

  • Pros & Cons
  • Details
  • Pros
    • No required opening deposit
    • Over 4,700 branches
    • No out-of-network ATM fees worldwide
    • Unlimited out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements
    • No foreign exchange rate adjustment fees
    • No incoming or outgoing wire transfer fees
    • No stop payment fees
    • No overdraft fees on the first 4 overdrafts within the present statement period and last 12 statement periods
    • Waive monthly fees on other Chase accounts when you link them to Chase Sapphire Checking (excluding Chase Private Client Checking and Savings)
    Cons
    • $25 monthly fee unless you have $75,000
    • $34 overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees
    • Must open account in a branch, not online
    • The information related to the Chase Sapphire℠ Checking has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer
    • Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
    • Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device
    • Open your account online now
    • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com
    • Waive $25 monthly service fee by maintaining an average daily balance of $75,000 combined in all of your Chase bank accounts and partner investment accounts
    Read Our Review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right

    Chase Sapphire Checking comes with many of the same benefits as Premier Plus Checking, plus waived foreign transaction and wire transfer fees. You'll need $75,000 in all of your Chase and partner accounts to waive the $25 monthly fee, though.

    Chase Private Client Checking review

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.01% APY

    Editor's Rating

  • Pros & Cons
  • Details
  • Pros
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Unlimited out-of-network ATM fee refunds
    • No fees on the first 4 overdrafts during the current and previous 12 statement periods
    • No incoming or outgoing wire transfer fees
    • Higher deposit and withdrawal limits than other Chase checking accounts
    • Free personalized checks
    • Free 3"x5" safe deposit box (20% off of larger sizes)
    • Free cashier's checks, counter checks, and money orders
    • Access to a private banker
    • Attend exclusive events
    • Waive fees on Chase business accounts
    • Access to a Business Relationship Manager
    Cons
    • $35 monthly service fee
    • $34 overdraft and non-sufficient funds fee
    • The information related to the Chase Private Client Checking has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer
    • The $35 monthly service fee is waived each month that you do one of the following: an average daily balance of $150,000 or more in a combination of Chase bank accounts and partner investment accounts OR you have a linked Chase Platinum Business Checking account
    • No out-of-network ATM fees or foreign exchange rate adjustment fees
    • Unlimited out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements
    • Earn interest on your checking account balance
    • Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and over 4,700 branches
    • Access a private client advisor and a Business Relationship Manager
    • Attend exclusive events
    • Open your account in a branch
    • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com
    Read Our Review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing right

    Chase Private Client Checking includes many of the perks as Sapphire Checking, plus access to a private banker for customized service and to exclusive events. You'll also have a Business Relationship Manager, which is useful if you're a business owner. To waive the $35 monthly fee, you'll need $150,000 in all of your Chase and partner accounts.

    FAQs

    Is Chase a good bank for a checking account?

    Chase can be a good place to open a checking account if you qualify to waive the monthly fee with an account that meets your needs. If you can't waive the fee but want a free checking account, you may be better off banking elsewhere.

    There are plenty of free checking accounts with online banks , but Chase is a good option if you want a brick-and-mortar bank. There are over 4,700 branches in 32 US states and Washington, DC.

    Does Chase have a free checking account?

    Chase does not have a free checking account, but Chase Total Checking® makes it easy to waive the monthly service fee. You just need to do one of the following each month: electronically deposit $500, start each day with a $1,500 balance, or have $5,000 in all of your Chase accounts combined.

    How can I get a sign-up bonus from Chase?

    Chase offers cash sign-up bonuses for two accounts: Chase Total Checking® and Chase Secure Banking℠.

    To get the $225 bonus with Chase Total Checking, open an account at a branch or online with a coupon, then set up direct deposits within the first 90 days.

    Chase Secure Banking pays a $100 bonus when you open an account at a branch or with a coupon online. You must make 10 qualifying transactions in the first 60 days.

    What is the minimum amount for a Chase checking account?

    You don't need any money to open a Chase checking account. You will need to keep a minimum balance to waive the monthly fee on most accounts, though. The exception is Chase Secure Banking, which charges a fixed $4.95 monthly fee.

    Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF

    Editor, Banking & Mortgages

    Laura Grace Tarpley is an editor at Insider, responsible for banking and mortgage coverage on Personal Finance Insider. She covers mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, and borrowing and savings tips. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). Before joining the Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU. You can reach Laura Grace at ltarpley@insider.com. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »

    Disclosure: This post may highlight financial products and services that can help you make smarter decisions with your money. We do not give investment advice or encourage you to adopt a certain investment strategy. What you decide to do with your money is up to you. If you take action based on one of our recommendations, we get a small share of the revenue from our commerce partners. This does not influence whether we feature a financial product or service. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. Read our editorial standards.

    Loading Something is loading.

    More: Chase chase premier checking plus Chase Sapphire Checking chase total checking

    Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

    For you