What Chase requires to keep your account open
Chase checking accounts do not have a single minimum balance requirement that applies to all accounts. The requirement depends on which checking product you hold. Most Chase checking accounts—including Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking—have no minimum balance requirement at all. However, some accounts, like Chase Premier Plus Checking, do require you to maintain a minimum balance, typically $25,000, to avoid a monthly service fee.
The key is knowing which account you have and what that specific product requires. If you fall below the minimum for an account that has one, Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee—usually $12 to $25 depending on the account type. You can avoid the fee by meeting the balance requirement, setting up a direct deposit, or maintaining a linked savings account with a certain balance.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking have no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee under any circumstance.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking requires a $25,000 minimum balance to waive the $25 monthly service fee.
- You can avoid fees on accounts with minimums by setting up direct deposit, maintaining a linked savings account balance, or paying the fee directly.
- The balance requirement applies to your account at the end of each business day, not an average over the month.
Checking accounts with no minimum balance
Chase Total Checking is the most common Chase checking account and carries no minimum balance requirement. There is no monthly service fee regardless of how much money you keep in the account. This account includes basic features like debit card access, online banking, and the ability to write checks.
Chase Sapphire Checking also has no minimum balance and no monthly fee. It is designed for customers who want additional benefits like higher interest rates on savings and rewards on certain purchases, though the checking account itself does not charge for maintaining a low balance.
If you are opening a new Chase checking account and want to avoid any balance-related fees, either of these two accounts will meet that need without requiring you to keep a specific amount on hand.
Accounts that do require a minimum balance
Chase Premier Plus Checking is the primary Chase account with a minimum balance requirement. You must maintain $25,000 in your account to avoid a $25 monthly service fee. This balance is checked at the end of each business day, so you need to stay above $25,000 consistently, not just on average.
This account is marketed toward customers who want premium features like higher interest rates, fee waivers on other products, and priority customer service. If you cannot maintain the $25,000 minimum, you will pay $25 per month unless you meet one of the fee-waiver conditions.
How to avoid fees if you have a minimum balance account
If you hold an account with a minimum balance requirement and do not want to maintain that balance, Chase offers three main ways to waive the monthly fee. The first is setting up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month into the account. This must be a recurring deposit from an employer or government agency—one-time transfers do not count.
The second option is maintaining a linked Chase savings account with a minimum balance. For Premier Plus Checking, you typically need $100,000 in a linked savings account to waive the fee. This shifts the requirement rather than eliminating it, so it only works if you have savings elsewhere you can move.
The third option is simply paying the monthly fee. If the account's other benefits—such as higher interest rates or fee waivers on other products—outweigh the cost of the monthly charge, you may choose to keep the account and accept the fee.
How Chase calculates your balance
Chase measures your account balance at the end of each business day. If you dip below the minimum even once during a business day, you do not trigger the fee for that day. However, if your balance falls below the minimum at the close of business on any day during the month, Chase may charge the monthly fee depending on the account terms.
This means you need to be careful about large withdrawals or checks clearing. If you know you will be below the minimum for a day or two, plan ahead by moving money in before the end of business or timing your withdrawals for after a deposit clears.
Moving to a different account if the minimum does not work for you
If you currently have a Chase checking account with a minimum balance requirement and cannot meet it, you can switch to Chase Total Checking or Chase Sapphire Checking at any time. There is no penalty for closing an account or downgrading to a different product. You keep the same account number and routing number if you stay within Chase, though some features may change.
Contact Chase through your online banking portal, call the number on the back of your debit card, or visit a branch to request the change. The switch usually takes effect within one to three business days. Make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits are still routing to the correct account after the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a minimum balance to open a Chase checking account?
No. Chase does not require an opening deposit for most checking accounts, including Total Checking and Sapphire Checking. You can open the account with $0 and begin using it immediately. Some accounts may have a minimum opening deposit, but Chase's most popular products do not.
What happens if I go below the minimum balance for one day?
Going below the minimum for a single day does not automatically trigger a fee. However, if your balance is below the minimum at the end of a business day, Chase may assess the monthly fee depending on your account's specific terms. Check your account agreement or contact Chase to confirm the exact policy for your product.
Can I use a savings account balance to meet the checking account minimum?
Only if the savings account is linked to your checking account and your account terms allow it. For Premier Plus Checking, you can link a savings account with $100,000 to waive the checking fee. The two accounts must be in your name and linked through Chase's system.
Does a direct deposit have to come from my employer?
Direct deposits that count toward fee waivers must come from an employer, government agency, or similar recurring source. Transfers you initiate yourself from another bank account do not count, even if they are set up as automatic recurring transfers.
Can I switch from Premier Plus Checking to Total Checking without closing my account?
Yes. You can change your account type through online banking or by calling Chase. The change takes one to three business days. Your account number and routing number stay the same, so you do not need to update automatic payments or direct deposits.