Chase checking accounts have no monthly minimum balance requirement

Chase does not require you to keep a minimum balance in any of its personal checking accounts. You can open an account, deposit $1, and never add another dollar without facing a fee for falling below a threshold. This applies to Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, and Chase Premier Plus Checking — the three main personal checking products Chase offers.

However, the absence of a minimum balance requirement does not mean there are no fees at all. Chase charges a monthly service fee on most checking accounts unless you meet one of several conditions that waive it. The waiver conditions vary by account type and are the real thing to understand before you open.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase checking accounts have zero minimum balance requirement, so you will not be penalized for a low or empty account.
  • Most Chase checking accounts charge a $12 monthly service fee unless you waive it by meeting one condition, such as setting up direct deposit or maintaining a linked savings account.
  • Chase Total Checking waives the fee with direct deposit, a $500 minimum daily balance in a linked savings account, or $25,000 in combined Chase deposits across all accounts.
  • Chase Sapphire Checking requires either $20,000 in combined deposits or a linked savings account with $500 minimum daily balance to avoid the $12 monthly fee.
  • If you do not meet any waiver condition, the $12 fee posts monthly and will reduce your balance over time.

How Chase waives the monthly service fee on Total Checking

Chase Total Checking is the most common personal checking account. It carries a $12 monthly service fee, but you can eliminate it by meeting just one of these conditions: receive a direct deposit of any amount, maintain a $500 minimum daily balance in a linked Chase savings account, or hold $25,000 in combined deposits across all your Chase accounts (checking, savings, money market, or CDs).

Direct deposit is the easiest route for most people. It does not have to be a paycheck — a recurring transfer from another bank counts, as does a government benefit deposit. Once direct deposit hits your account in a calendar month, the fee is waived for that month. If direct deposit stops, the fee returns the following month unless you meet one of the other two conditions.

The linked savings account option requires you to open a Chase savings account and keep $500 in it every day of the month. If the balance dips below $500 on any single day, the checking fee posts. The combined deposit threshold of $25,000 is a one-time check — if your total across all Chase accounts reaches $25,000, the fee is waived permanently, even if the balance later drops.

Fee structure for Chase Sapphire Checking

Chase Sapphire Checking also charges $12 per month but has different waiver conditions. You can avoid the fee by maintaining $20,000 in combined Chase deposits or by keeping a $500 minimum daily balance in a linked Chase savings account. There is no direct deposit waiver for Sapphire Checking.

Sapphire Checking is marketed as a premium product and comes with benefits like higher interest rates on the linked savings account and cash back on certain debit card purchases. If you do not meet the balance thresholds, you pay the monthly fee in addition to these features, so the account only makes financial sense if you can waive the fee or if the cash back and interest rate justify the cost.

Chase Premier Plus Checking and wealth management accounts

Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for customers with higher balances and carries a $25 monthly service fee. The fee is waived if you maintain $75,000 in combined Chase deposits or $500,000 in combined assets under management with Chase Private Client.

This account is not a good fit for most people unless you already have substantial money with Chase. If you are considering it purely to avoid fees on a smaller balance, Chase Total Checking or Sapphire Checking will be cheaper.

What happens if you do not meet a waiver condition

If you open a Chase checking account and do not set up direct deposit or maintain the required linked savings balance, the monthly service fee will post automatically. Chase does not send a warning before charging it — the fee simply appears in your account history.

Over a year, a $12 monthly fee totals $144. If your account balance is small, this fee can consume a meaningful portion of your money. For example, if you keep $200 in the account and pay $12 per month in fees, you will have $56 left after one year of inactivity.

You can close the account at any time without penalty. Chase does not charge a closing fee, and you can withdraw your remaining balance immediately. If you have a negative balance when you close (meaning fees exceeded your deposits), Chase will typically forgive the small debt, though this is not may provide.

How to waive fees before opening

Before you open a Chase checking account, decide which waiver condition you can meet. If you receive regular direct deposit from an employer or government program, Total Checking is the obvious choice — the fee is waived automatically once the deposit hits.

If you do not have direct deposit but can keep $500 in a linked savings account, either Total Checking or Sapphire Checking will work. If you have $25,000 or more in Chase deposits already (from savings, CDs, or other accounts), Total Checking waives the fee permanently.

If none of these apply, you may want to compare Chase to other banks. Many online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. The trade-off is usually fewer branch locations and ATMs, but if you rarely visit a branch, the savings are real.

Overdraft fees and other charges to know about

While Chase has no minimum balance requirement, it does charge overdraft fees if you spend more than your account holds. Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction, and multiple overdrafts in one day can result in multiple fees. You can opt out of overdraft coverage to prevent these fees, though this means transactions will be declined instead of covered.

Chase also charges fees for things like wire transfers ($15 domestic, $20 international), stop payments ($30), and returned deposits ($10). These are separate from the monthly service fee and apply regardless of your balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a Chase checking account with $0 in it?

Yes. Chase will not close your account or charge you for having zero dollars, as long as you waive the monthly service fee by meeting one of the waiver conditions. If you do not meet a waiver condition, the $12 fee will post and your account will go negative.

Does the $500 linked savings balance have to stay there forever?

No. The $500 only needs to be there on the days when the monthly service fee would otherwise post. If you withdraw the money after the fee is waived for that month, the account is fine. However, if the balance drops below $500 before the fee posts, the fee will charge that month.

What if I meet the $25,000 combined deposit threshold and then withdraw the money?

Once your combined Chase deposits reach $25,000, the monthly fee is waived permanently on Total Checking. You can withdraw all of it the next day and the waiver stays in place. This is the most permanent waiver option.

Can I switch from Total Checking to Sapphire Checking without closing my account?

Yes. You can convert from one Chase checking product to another by calling Chase or visiting a branch. There is no fee to switch, and your account number and routing number remain the same.

Do I need a minimum balance to open a Chase checking account?

No. You can open a Chase checking account with any amount, including $1. There is no opening deposit requirement, though you will need to provide identification and pass Chase's verification process.