Chase checking accounts have no monthly minimum balance requirement on most accounts, but some older or specialty accounts do
Most Chase checking accounts today—including Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking—do not require you to keep a minimum balance. You can open the account, deposit money, spend it, and let the balance drop to zero without penalty. However, Chase does charge a monthly service fee on most accounts unless you meet one of their waiver conditions, and a few older account types still carry minimum balance rules.
The account type you hold matters. If you opened your account years ago or switched to a specialty product, your account may have different rules than the standard offerings Chase markets today. The easiest way to know for certain is to check your account agreement or call Chase directly, but this guide covers what the current accounts require and what happens if you fall below a minimum on accounts that have one.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking have no minimum balance requirement, but both charge a monthly service fee unless you waive it.
- You can waive the monthly fee by setting up direct deposit, maintaining a linked savings account with a certain balance, or keeping a minimum checking balance—the exact thresholds vary by account type.
- Some older Chase accounts or specialty products may still require a minimum balance; check your account agreement or call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to confirm your specific account rules.
- If your account does have a minimum and you fall below it, Chase will charge the monthly service fee; they do not close the account or freeze funds.
How Chase checking accounts waive their monthly service fee
Chase charges a monthly service fee on most checking accounts, but you can avoid it by meeting one of several conditions. The conditions differ slightly by account type, so the exact threshold that works for you depends on which Chase checking product you hold.
For Chase Total Checking, you can waive the $12 monthly service fee by doing any one of these: setting up direct deposit of any amount, maintaining an average daily balance of $500 or more in the checking account, or keeping a linked Chase savings account with an average daily balance of $300 or more. For Chase Sapphire Checking, the fee is $25 per month, and you waive it by setting up direct deposit, maintaining $1,500 in average daily checking balance, or keeping $10,000 in a linked savings account. If you do not meet any of these conditions, the fee posts to your account on the last day of each month.
What happens if you fall below a minimum balance
If your account has a minimum balance requirement and your balance drops below it, Chase charges the monthly service fee. The fee does not prevent you from spending money or using your account—it simply posts as a charge against your balance. Your account does not close, your debit card does not stop working, and Chase does not freeze your funds.
The fee is the only consequence. If you fall below the minimum one month but meet it again the next month, you only pay the fee for the month you did not meet the requirement. There is no penalty beyond the monthly charge itself, and no mark on your banking record.
Older Chase accounts and specialty products
Chase has retired many older checking account products over the past decade, but if you have held an account for a long time, you may still be on an older product with different rules. Some discontinued accounts—such as older versions of Chase Basic Checking—carried minimum balance requirements of $100 to $500. Chase also offers specialty accounts through workplace banking programs or partnerships that may have their own fee structures and minimums.
If you are unsure whether your account has a minimum, the fastest way to find out is to log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app and look for your account agreement, or call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935 and ask about your specific account type. Having your account number ready will speed up the call.
Switching to an account with no minimum if yours requires one
If your current account has a minimum balance requirement and you cannot meet it consistently, you can open a new Chase checking account that does not. Chase Total Checking has no minimum balance requirement and is available to most customers. You can open it online in about 10 minutes, and once it is open, you can transfer money from your old account and gradually move your direct deposits and automatic payments over.
You do not have to close your old account immediately. Many people keep both open for a month or two to make sure all their payments have switched over, then close the old one. If you close an account within 90 days of opening it, Chase may flag your account, so waiting at least a few months is safer if you want to avoid any friction.
How to check your account agreement for minimum balance rules
Your account agreement is the official document that spells out all the rules for your specific account, including any minimum balance requirement. You can find it by logging into your Chase account online, going to the account settings or documents section, and looking for "account agreement" or "terms and conditions." Most Chase accounts also let you download a PDF of the agreement directly.
If you cannot find it online, call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and ask them to email or mail you a copy of your account agreement. Have your account number ready. The agreement will list the monthly fee, the minimum balance (if any), and all the ways you can waive the fee. Read the section labeled "Fees" or "Service Charges" first—that is where the minimum balance rule will appear if your account has one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a negative balance if my account has a minimum?
No. If your balance goes negative, Chase will charge you an overdraft fee in addition to any minimum balance fee. Overdraft fees are typically $35 per transaction. If you do not have overdraft protection linked to another account, transactions that would take you negative may be declined instead.
Does Chase close accounts that do not meet the minimum balance?
Chase does not close accounts for falling below the minimum balance. They charge the monthly service fee, but the account stays open and usable. However, if an account sits inactive (no deposits, withdrawals, or transfers) for a long time, Chase may close it, though this usually takes many months.
If I set up direct deposit, does the amount matter?
No. Direct deposit of any amount—even $1—counts as meeting the direct deposit waiver condition. You do not need to receive your paycheck or a large transfer; any recurring deposit coded as direct deposit will work.
What if I have multiple Chase checking accounts?
Each account is separate. If you have two Chase checking accounts, each one has its own minimum balance requirement (or lack of one) and its own monthly fee. You cannot combine balances across accounts to meet a minimum on one of them.
Can I move money between my checking and savings to stay above the minimum?
Yes. If your account allows you to waive the fee by keeping a linked savings account above a certain balance, you can move money between the two accounts freely. However, federal rules limit you to six transfers or withdrawals from a savings account per month, so plan accordingly if you are moving money frequently.