Chase's no-fee checking options

Chase offers two checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fee: Chase Total Checking and Chase Secure Banking. Both waive the standard $12 monthly fee, but they work differently and suit different situations.

Total Checking is the standard option for most people. It has no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no income requirement. Secure Banking is designed for people building or rebuilding credit and requires a linked savings account with a minimum deposit, but also carries no monthly fee.

The catch with both: fees still apply for specific actions. Overdraft fees, wire transfer fees, and out-of-network ATM fees are separate charges that the "no monthly fee" label does not cover. Understanding what triggers these charges matters more than the monthly fee itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no income requirement, making it the simplest no-fee option.
  • Chase Secure Banking also has no monthly fee but requires a linked savings account with a $300 minimum deposit.
  • Both accounts still charge overdraft fees ($35 per occurrence), wire transfer fees, and out-of-network ATM fees—the monthly fee waiver does not cover these.
  • Chase waives the monthly fee on Total Checking if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit, but the account has no fee even without these.

What Chase Total Checking includes

Total Checking is Chase's primary no-fee checking account. It comes with a debit card, online and mobile banking, bill pay, and access to Chase's ATM network nationwide. You can open it online or in a branch with no income requirement and no minimum opening deposit.

The account does not require you to keep money in it. There is no balance floor, and no direct deposit mandate. You can deposit checks through the mobile app, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up automatic payments to bills.

One practical detail: if you overdraw the account, Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction. The bank does offer Overdraft Protection, which lets you link a savings account or credit line to cover shortfalls automatically—but this is optional and must be set up separately.

What Chase Secure Banking includes

Secure Banking is built for people with limited or damaged credit history. It has no monthly fee, but it requires you to open a linked savings account and deposit at least $300 into that savings account. That $300 stays in savings; it is not a fee you pay to Chase.

The checking account itself works like Total Checking—debit card, bill pay, mobile deposits, no balance requirement. The savings account earns a small amount of interest, though the rate varies and is typically very low.

After you have held the account for a period of time (usually around 12 months of responsible use), you can graduate to a standard Chase checking account. Secure Banking is a stepping stone, not a permanent account type for most people.

Fees that still apply even with no monthly charge

The "no monthly fee" label is specific. It means Chase will not charge you $12 simply for having the account open. But other fees remain:

  • Overdraft fee: $35 per transaction that overdraws the account.
  • Returned deposit fee: $25 if a check or mobile deposit bounces.
  • Wire transfer fee: $15 for outgoing domestic wire transfers (incoming wires are free).
  • Out-of-network ATM fee: $2.50 per withdrawal at an ATM not owned by Chase.
  • Stop payment fee: $30 to stop payment on a check you wrote.
  • Account research fee: $25 if Chase has to investigate a transaction at your request.

These fees are not unique to Chase—most banks charge similar amounts. The point is that "no monthly fee" does not mean "no fees ever." It means the account itself is free to hold.

How to avoid the monthly fee on other Chase accounts

If you have a different Chase checking account that normally charges a monthly fee, you can waive it without switching accounts. The most common ways are:

  • Maintain a $500 minimum daily balance in the checking account.
  • Set up direct deposit of at least $500 per month.
  • Link a Chase savings account with a $300 minimum balance.
  • Maintain a Chase credit card account in good standing (varies by account type).

But Total Checking has no monthly fee regardless—you do not need to meet any of these conditions. If you want a Chase checking account with zero conditions attached, Total Checking is the straightforward choice.

Comparing Chase to other banks' no-fee accounts

Chase is not alone in offering no-fee checking. Many online banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover) and regional banks offer checking with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Some also offer higher interest rates on linked savings accounts or better ATM networks.

Chase's advantage is branch access—there are Chase branches in most major cities, and you can deposit cash or speak to someone in person. Online banks have no branches but often have lower fees overall and better savings rates. The trade-off depends on whether you value in-person banking.

If you already bank with Chase for other reasons (mortgage, credit card, investment account), keeping your checking there is simple. If you are choosing from scratch, compare the full fee schedule, not just the monthly charge.

How to open a Chase no-fee checking account

You can open Total Checking online through Chase's website, through the mobile app, or in a branch. Online takes about 10 minutes. You will need a Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and a current address. You do not need an initial deposit, though you will need to fund the account before you can use it.

If you choose Secure Banking, the process is the same, but you will also set up the linked savings account at the same time and fund it with at least $300.

After opening, your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account immediately for transfers and bill pay while you wait for the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chase Total Checking have a minimum balance?

No. There is no minimum balance requirement. You can keep $0 in the account and pay no monthly fee. The only time balance matters is if you want to waive a fee on a different Chase account type—but Total Checking has no fee to waive.

Can I get overdraft protection on a no-fee account?

Yes. You can link a Chase savings account or credit line to cover overdrafts automatically. This is optional and must be set up separately. Without it, overdrafts trigger a $35 fee per transaction.

What happens if I close my Chase Secure Banking account before 12 months?

You can close it anytime. The $300 in the linked savings account is yours—it is not forfeited. You simply lose the benefit of building credit history with that account type. There is no early closure fee.

Do I earn interest on Chase Total Checking?

No. Total Checking does not earn interest. The interest rate is 0%. If you want interest-bearing checking, you would need to look at other banks or keep a separate savings account.

Is there a fee to use Chase ATMs?

No. Using any Chase ATM is free. The $2.50 fee applies only when you use an ATM that is not owned by Chase.