Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum opening deposit
You can open a Chase Total Checking account with $0. There is no minimum opening deposit required, and there is no monthly maintenance fee. You pay nothing to start the account, and you pay nothing to keep it open if you do nothing with it.
The account does charge fees for specific actions — overdrafts, out-of-network ATM use, wire transfers — but the account itself costs nothing to hold. If you never overdraw and never use services outside Chase's network, your total cost is zero.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking requires no opening deposit and charges no monthly fee, so the cost to open is $0.
- Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction if you spend more than your balance, but you can opt out of overdraft coverage to avoid them.
- Using an ATM outside the Chase network costs $3 per withdrawal, but Chase reimburses out-of-network fees charged by other banks.
- You can open the account online, by phone, or in a branch, and funding it with your first deposit is separate from the opening cost.
- Chase waives the overdraft fee once per calendar year if you have overdraft protection linked to another account or a credit line.
What fees actually apply once the account is open
The account itself is free, but Chase charges for certain transactions and situations. An overdraft fee is $35 each time you spend more money than you have in the account. If you make five overdraft transactions in one day, you pay $35 five times — Chase does not cap daily overdraft fees.
You can prevent overdraft fees by opting out of overdraft coverage. If you do, transactions that would overdraw your account are simply declined at the point of sale or ATM. You will not be charged, but the transaction will not go through.
Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $3 per transaction. However, Chase reimburses fees that the other bank charges you for using their ATM, so your net cost is only the $3 Chase charges, not both fees combined. Wire transfers cost $15 for outgoing domestic wires and $15 for incoming wires.
How to fund the account after opening
Opening the account is free, but you will need money to deposit into it. You can fund it with a transfer from another bank account, a check deposit, a cash deposit at a Chase branch, or a mobile check deposit using the Chase app.
If you transfer money from another bank, the transfer usually takes one to three business days. If you deposit a check by mail or mobile app, it typically clears within one to two business days. Cash deposits at a branch are available immediately.
There is no minimum amount you must deposit. You can open the account and leave it empty, or deposit $1, or deposit $10,000 — the opening cost remains $0 either way.
Overdraft protection can waive one fee per year
If you link your Total Checking account to another Chase account or a Chase credit line, you activate overdraft protection. When you overdraw, Chase automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover the shortfall instead of charging an overdraft fee.
Even with overdraft protection active, Chase waives your first overdraft fee once per calendar year. If you overdraw a second time in the same year, you pay the $35 fee. The waiver resets on January 1.
Overdraft protection transfers do not cost anything — you only pay if the transfer fails and the overdraft goes through anyway.
Opening online, by phone, or in person
You can open a Chase Total Checking account online at chase.com, by calling 1-800-935-9935, or by visiting a Chase branch in person. The opening method does not affect the cost — it is free regardless of how you open it.
Online opening usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and you can start using a temporary account number the same day, though your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Phone opening takes about 15 minutes. In-branch opening is immediate, and you can request a debit card on the spot.
You will need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and an initial funding source (another bank account, a check, or cash if opening in branch).
Comparing Total Checking to other Chase accounts
Chase offers several checking accounts at different price points. Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $10,000 minimum balance or have a linked Chase credit card. Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month and requires a $25,000 minimum balance.
Total Checking is the no-cost option. It has the same overdraft fees and out-of-network ATM fees as the paid accounts, but no monthly charge and no minimum balance. If you want no fees and no balance requirements, Total Checking is the only Chase checking option.
The trade-off is that paid Chase accounts sometimes offer higher interest rates on savings or better rewards on linked credit cards, but Total Checking itself does not earn interest on your balance.
What happens if you close the account
Closing a Chase Total Checking account is free. You can close it online, by phone, or in a branch. Chase does not charge a closure fee or require you to maintain the account for a minimum time.
Before you close, make sure your balance is $0 or transfer any remaining money to another account. If there is money left when Chase closes the account, they will mail you a check. If there are pending transactions or overdrafts, Chase may hold the account open until those clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase Total Checking account if I have been denied before?
Chase uses ChexSystems, a banking history report, to screen applicants. If you were denied, it was likely because of unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or other issues in your ChexSystems file. You can request a copy of your report at chexsystems.com to see what caused the denial. Some issues age off after a few years, so you may be able to reapply later.
Do I have to keep a minimum balance to avoid fees?
No. Total Checking has no minimum balance requirement. You can keep $0 in the account indefinitely with no monthly fee. The only fees you pay are for specific actions like overdrafts or out-of-network ATM use.
What is the overdraft fee if I go negative by $1?
The overdraft fee is $35 regardless of how much you overspend. Going negative by $1 costs the same as going negative by $100. This is why opting out of overdraft coverage is often the better choice — you avoid the fee entirely, and the transaction is simply declined.
Can I open this account online if I do not have another bank account?
Yes. You can open online and fund it with a check or by visiting a Chase branch to deposit cash. You do not need an existing bank account to open Total Checking, though having one makes funding faster.
Does Chase Total Checking earn interest?
No. Total Checking does not pay interest on your balance. If you want interest-bearing checking, you would need to open a different account or use a savings account alongside your checking account.