Chase's current minimum balance rules for checking accounts
Chase does not require a minimum balance to open most of its checking accounts. However, some accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet certain conditions—and one of those conditions may involve your balance. The fee structure depends on which Chase checking account you choose.
Chase's main checking products are Chase Total Checking, Chase Secure Checking, and Chase Premier Plus Checking. Total Checking has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee, period. Secure Checking requires a $300 opening deposit but no ongoing minimum. Premier Plus Checking requires you to maintain either a $15,000 balance across linked accounts or set up direct deposit to avoid a $25 monthly fee.
If you do not meet the balance or direct deposit requirement on Premier Plus, Chase will charge you the fee automatically each month. The balance requirement is a combined total across your Chase checking and savings accounts, not just the checking account alone.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has no minimum balance and no monthly fee, making it the option with the fewest requirements.
- Chase Secure Checking requires a $300 deposit to open but has no ongoing minimum balance and no monthly fee.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month unless you keep $15,000 across linked accounts or receive direct deposit.
- The $15,000 minimum on Premier Plus is a combined balance across checking and savings accounts, not checking alone.
- Fees are charged automatically if you miss the balance or direct deposit requirement, so you should confirm your account type before assuming you are fee-free.
How Chase calculates your balance for fee purposes
Chase measures your balance as a daily average or an end-of-day snapshot, depending on the account. For Premier Plus Checking, Chase looks at your combined balance across all linked deposit accounts—checking, savings, money market, and CDs—on the last day of the statement period. If that combined total is $15,000 or higher, no fee is charged.
Pending transactions and holds do not count toward your balance. Only money that has fully cleared and settled counts. If you deposit a check on the last day of your statement period and it has not cleared yet, it will not help you meet the minimum.
Direct deposit is an alternative to the balance requirement. If you receive at least one direct deposit per statement period, the $25 fee is waived even if your balance falls below $15,000. Direct deposit includes payroll, government benefits, and transfers from another bank account set up as recurring.
What happens if you fall below the minimum on Premier Plus
If you hold Premier Plus Checking and your combined balance drops below $15,000 and you have no direct deposit that month, Chase charges $25 to your account on the last day of your statement period. The fee is automatic—there is no warning or grace period.
You can dispute the fee by calling Chase or visiting a branch, but only if you believe the charge was an error. If you simply did not meet the requirement, Chase will not reverse it. However, you can switch to Chase Total Checking at any time to avoid future fees.
Repeated fees can add up quickly. If you know you cannot maintain $15,000 or set up direct deposit, switching to Total Checking saves you $300 per year.
Switching between Chase checking accounts
You can change your account type online through Chase's website or mobile app, or by visiting a branch. The process is free and takes a few minutes. Your account number may change when you switch, so update any automatic payments or direct deposits that are tied to your old account number.
If you switch from Premier Plus to Total Checking, you will not be charged a fee for the month in which you make the change. Chase applies the fee based on your account type on the last day of the statement period, so switching early in the month gives you the most protection.
You can also open a second Chase checking account if you want to keep Premier Plus for its benefits (like higher interest rates or rewards) while using Total Checking for everyday spending. There is no limit on the number of checking accounts you can hold at Chase.
Comparing Chase checking to other banks' minimums
Most large banks have moved away from strict minimum balance requirements on basic checking accounts. Bank of America's basic checking has no minimum. Wells Fargo's basic checking has no minimum. Citibank's basic checking has no minimum. The trend reflects competition for customers and the shift toward fee-based revenue models.
However, premium or high-yield checking accounts at other banks often do have minimums. Ally Bank's interest-bearing checking requires $0 minimum but pays interest only on balances above $15,000. Charles Schwab's investor checking has no minimum but is designed for brokerage customers. Local credit unions vary widely—some have no minimums, others require $500 or more.
If you are comparing Chase to competitors, focus on the total cost: monthly fees, overdraft fees, ATM access, and interest rates. A bank with no minimum but high overdraft fees may cost more than Chase in the long run.
Avoiding Chase checking fees entirely
The simplest way to avoid fees is to use Chase Total Checking. It has no minimum balance, no monthly fee, and no hidden conditions. You pay nothing to hold the account, regardless of how much money is in it.
If you prefer Premier Plus for its higher interest rate or other perks, set up direct deposit from your employer or another bank. This is the easiest way to waive the $25 fee without worrying about your balance fluctuating. Even a small recurring transfer counts.
If you already have Premier Plus and want to avoid fees without switching accounts, you can also link a savings account and keep $15,000 across both. This works if you have other money you are comfortable keeping at Chase but do not need immediate access to.
What to do if Chase charged you a fee you did not expect
Call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch with your account statement. Explain that you were not aware of the fee or the minimum balance requirement. Chase customer service can review your account history and may reverse one fee as a courtesy, especially if it is your first time being charged.
If you have been charged multiple times, ask whether you can switch your account type retroactively. Some branches will reverse fees if you agree to move to a different account going forward. There is no may provide, but it is worth asking.
Keep your statement handy when you call. Have your account number ready and be prepared to explain whether you want to keep the account or switch to a different one. This conversation usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need $15,000 to open a Chase checking account?
No. Chase Total Checking requires $0 to open. Chase Secure Checking requires a $300 opening deposit. Only Premier Plus Checking has a $15,000 requirement, and that is an ongoing balance, not an opening deposit. You can open Total Checking with whatever amount you want to deposit.
If I have a savings account at Chase, does that balance count toward the $15,000 minimum on Premier Plus?
Yes. Chase combines your checking and savings balances for the Premier Plus minimum. If your checking has $8,000 and your savings has $7,500, you meet the $15,000 requirement and avoid the fee.
What counts as direct deposit for waiving the Premier Plus fee?
Payroll, government benefits (Social Security, unemployment, tax refunds), and recurring transfers from another bank account all count. A one-time transfer does not count—it must be set up as recurring or automatic. Even $1 per month in direct deposit waives the $25 fee.
Can I have multiple Chase checking accounts?
Yes. You can open as many checking accounts as you want at Chase. Some people keep one account for bills and another for savings to stay organized. Each account has its own minimum balance requirement, so you would need to meet the requirement on each Premier Plus account separately.
If I close my Chase checking account, do I get a refund of the monthly fees I paid?
No. Fees are not refundable once they have been charged. However, if you close the account within a few days of being charged and can show you were not aware of the requirement, you may be able to dispute the fee with customer service. After that, the fee is final.