You can open most Chase checking and savings accounts with zero dollars, but the account type and your verification method matter
Chase does not require an opening deposit for most of its checking and savings accounts. You can walk into a branch or apply online with no money in hand, complete the application, and have an active account the same day or within a few business days. However, some account types do have minimum opening deposits, and your ability to open an account depends on passing Chase's identity verification and ChexSystems check — not on your current balance.
The catch is that many Chase accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee if you do not meet certain conditions. A $12 monthly fee on a Chase Total Checking account, for example, waives if you maintain a $500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or use your debit card 10 times per month. If you open with no money, you need a plan to avoid that fee immediately, or you will owe it within 30 days.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking, Chase Savings, and Chase Student Checking can all be opened with $0, but you must pass identity verification and a ChexSystems background check.
- Most Chase accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet one of several conditions: maintaining a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or using your debit card a certain number of times per month.
- You can open an account online or in a branch; online applications typically take one to three business days to process, while branch applications are often instant.
- If you have a history of overdrafts or closed accounts reported to ChexSystems, Chase may deny your application even if you have no money to deposit.
Which Chase accounts have no opening deposit requirement
Chase Total Checking is the most common account and requires no opening deposit. It charges $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum balance, receive direct deposit, or swipe your debit card 10 times in a statement period. If you are opening with no money, the debit card requirement is usually the easiest path — you can meet it within days of receiving your card.
Chase Savings also has no opening deposit. It charges $5 per month unless you keep a $300 minimum balance or link it to a Chase checking account. Linking to a checking account is automatic if you open both at the same time, so the fee waives immediately.
Chase Student Checking requires no opening deposit and charges no monthly fee for the first five years, as long as you are under 25 and a full-time student. After five years, it converts to Chase Total Checking and the standard fees apply.
Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking both require opening deposits of $25,000 and $500, respectively. If you have no money, these accounts are not an option right now.
How to open an account online with no deposit
Go to chase.com, select "Open an Account," and choose the account type you want. You will need your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, your date of birth, and a current address. Chase will ask for an email address and phone number to verify your identity.
The application takes about 10 minutes. Chase runs a ChexSystems check in real time — this is a banking history report that shows overdrafts, closed accounts, and fraud. If you pass, you will see a confirmation screen immediately, and your account number appears within one to three business days. You can start using your account as soon as the number is issued, even if your debit card has not arrived yet.
If Chase denies your application online, you will see the reason on screen. Common reasons are a ChexSystems issue, a mismatch between your ID and the address you provided, or a recent account closure at another bank. You can call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to ask about the denial, but you cannot override it online.
Opening an account in a Chase branch with no money
Bring a government-issued ID and your Social Security number. A banker will run the same ChexSystems check and verify your identity using your ID. If you pass, your account opens on the spot and you receive a temporary debit card or card number you can use immediately. Your permanent card arrives in five to seven business days.
In-branch applications are faster than online if you need to use your account the same day. The banker can also answer questions about fee waivers and help you link accounts if you are opening both checking and savings. If you are denied, the banker can sometimes escalate the decision or explain what information caused the denial.
What happens if ChexSystems blocks your application
ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency that tracks banking history. If you have unpaid overdrafts, multiple closed accounts, or fraud flags, Chase may deny your application. This is not about having no money — it is about your history with banks.
You have the right to request your ChexSystems report for free at chexsystems.com or by calling 1-800-428-9623. The report shows what banks reported about you. If there are errors — a closed account you did not close, or an overdraft you already paid — you can dispute them with ChexSystems, and the agency will investigate.
If your report is accurate but you were still denied, some banks like Chime, LendingClub, or Varo accept customers with ChexSystems issues. These are not Chase accounts, but they function as checking accounts and have no monthly fees.
Avoiding monthly fees when you open with zero dollars
The $12 monthly fee on Chase Total Checking is the biggest risk when you open with no money. You have 30 days before the first fee posts. Here are the three ways to waive it:
- Direct deposit: Set up a paycheck, government benefit, or transfer from another account to deposit at least $1 per month. This waives the fee permanently. If you do not have a paycheck yet, you can transfer $1 from a friend's account or from a savings account you already have.
- Debit card use: Swipe your debit card 10 times in a single statement period (usually 30 days). This includes purchases at stores, gas stations, or online retailers. Ten small purchases easily meet this requirement.
- Minimum balance: Keep $500 in the account at all times. This is harder if you are opening with no money, but if you deposit even $500 once, the fee waives as long as the balance stays above that threshold.
The debit card route is fastest for most people opening with no money. Your card arrives in five to seven business days, and you can meet the 10-transaction requirement within two weeks.
Timeline from application to usable account
| Step | Online Application | In-Branch Application |
|---|---|---|
| Identity verification and ChexSystems check | Instant | Instant |
| Account number issued | 1–3 business days | Same day |
| Temporary debit card or number available | 1–3 business days | Same day |
| Permanent debit card arrives by mail | 5–7 business days | 5–7 business days |
| Account fully functional | 1–3 business days | Same day |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a minimum balance to open a Chase account?
No. Chase Total Checking, Chase Savings, and Chase Student Checking all open with $0. However, you do need to pass identity verification and a ChexSystems check. Once open, most accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet one of the fee-waiver conditions, such as direct deposit or debit card use.
What if I get denied when I apply online?
Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to ask why. Common reasons are ChexSystems issues, a mismatch between your ID and address, or a recent account closure. You can request your ChexSystems report for free at chexsystems.com to see what banks reported about you. If there are errors, you can dispute them.
Can I use my account before my debit card arrives?
Yes. If you apply online, your account number appears in one to three business days and you can use it for transfers, bill pay, or online purchases. If you apply in a branch, you get a temporary card or card number the same day. Your permanent card arrives in five to seven business days either way.
What is the easiest way to avoid the monthly fee?
Use your debit card 10 times per month. This is the fastest fee waiver for someone opening with no money, because you can meet it within two weeks of receiving your card. Each purchase counts, even if it is just $1.
Can I open a Chase account if I have had problems with banks before?
It depends on what the problem was. If ChexSystems shows unpaid overdrafts or fraud, Chase will likely deny you. If the issue is old or has been resolved, you may still be approved. Request your ChexSystems report to see what is on file, and call Chase to discuss your specific situation before applying.