Chase checking accounts have no required opening deposit

You can open most Chase checking accounts with zero dollars. Chase does not require a minimum deposit to start an account — you open it empty and deposit money afterward. This applies to their most common checking products: Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, and Chase Premier Plus Checking.

However, some accounts do have minimum balance requirements once the account is open. These are different from opening deposits. A minimum balance requirement means you must keep a certain amount in the account to avoid a monthly fee. If your balance drops below that threshold, Chase charges you a fee each month until you bring it back up.

The account you choose determines whether a minimum balance applies and how much it is. Not all Chase checking accounts have one, and not all customers are subject to the same requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking require no opening deposit and no minimum balance to avoid fees.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking requires a $25,000 minimum balance to waive the $25 monthly service fee.
  • You can waive monthly fees on most accounts by setting up direct deposit or maintaining a linked savings account with a minimum balance.
  • Fees apply only if you fail to meet the account's waiver conditions — opening the account costs nothing.

Which Chase checking accounts have no minimum balance requirement

Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking both have zero minimum balance requirements. You will not be charged a monthly fee no matter how low your balance goes, as long as you meet one simple condition: you must have a Chase savings account linked to your checking account.

If you do not link a savings account, Chase Total Checking charges a $12 monthly fee. Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month without the linked savings account. Both fees disappear the moment you open a savings account with Chase and link it to your checking account.

There is no minimum balance in the linked savings account. It can hold $1 or $1,000. The account simply needs to exist and be connected to your checking account.

Accounts with minimum balance requirements

Chase Premier Plus Checking requires a $25,000 minimum balance to avoid a $25 monthly service fee. This is Chase's premium checking product, designed for customers who maintain higher balances or have multiple accounts with Chase.

If your balance drops below $25,000 for even one day during a statement period, Chase charges the $25 fee. You can also waive the fee by setting up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month, but the minimum balance requirement is the primary waiver condition.

Most people opening a checking account do not need Premier Plus Checking. Chase Total Checking or Sapphire Checking covers everyday banking for most customers and costs nothing to maintain.

How to avoid monthly fees on any Chase checking account

Every Chase checking account offers at least one way to waive its monthly service fee. The easiest methods are linking a savings account or setting up direct deposit.

Linking a Chase savings account: Open a Chase savings account (no minimum balance required) and link it to your checking account. The fee disappears immediately. You do not need to keep money in the savings account.

Direct deposit: Have your employer or benefit provider deposit at least $500 per month directly into your Chase checking account. This waives fees on most Chase checking products. The amount and frequency vary slightly by account type, so confirm the requirement when you open your account.

Maintaining a minimum balance: For Premier Plus Checking, keep $25,000 in the account. For other accounts, this option usually is not necessary because the savings account link is simpler.

What happens if you cannot meet the fee waiver conditions

If you do not link a savings account and do not set up direct deposit, Chase will charge you a monthly fee. For Chase Total Checking, that fee is $12. For Chase Sapphire Checking, it is $25. These fees are deducted from your account balance each month.

The fee does not prevent you from using the account. Your account remains open and functional. The money simply comes out of your balance automatically on the statement closing date.

You can add a linked savings account or set up direct deposit at any time to stop the fee. Once you meet one of the waiver conditions, Chase stops charging the fee going forward. Fees already charged are not refunded, but you can prevent future charges immediately.

Opening a Chase checking account with no money

To open an account with zero dollars, visit a Chase branch in person or open it online through Chase.com. Online opening is faster and requires only your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. You can complete it in about five minutes.

Chase will verify your identity and run a background check through ChexSystems, which is a banking history database. This check does not affect your credit score. If you have had problems with a bank account in the past — such as unpaid overdrafts or fraud — Chase may decline to open the account.

Once your account is open, you can deposit money by transferring it from another bank account, having someone send you money through a peer transfer service, or depositing cash or checks at a Chase branch or ATM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to open a savings account to avoid fees?

No. You can waive fees on Chase Total Checking or Sapphire Checking by setting up direct deposit instead. Direct deposit of at least $500 per month waives the monthly fee. If you do not have direct deposit available, linking a savings account is the easiest alternative.

What if I do not meet the minimum balance for Premier Plus Checking?

Chase charges you $25 per month. The fee is deducted from your account balance automatically. You can avoid it by either maintaining the $25,000 balance or setting up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, depending on the account terms at the time you open it.

Can I open a Chase checking account online with no money?

Yes. Go to Chase.com, select the checking account you want, and complete the application. You need your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. The account opens immediately if approved, and you can deposit money anytime after that.

Will opening a Chase account hurt my credit score?

No. Chase runs a ChexSystems check, which is a banking history report, not a credit check. It does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. ChexSystems only shows whether you have had problems with bank accounts in the past.

Can I change my account type later if I pick the wrong one?

Yes. You can convert from one Chase checking account to another by visiting a branch or calling Chase customer service. There is no fee to switch, and your account number and routing number may change depending on which account you switch to.