Chase checking accounts have no monthly minimum balance requirement
Chase does not require you to keep a minimum balance in any of its standard checking accounts. You can open an account, deposit money, spend it, and drop to zero without penalty or account closure. This applies to Chase Total Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and Chase Sapphire Checking.
However, the absence of a minimum balance requirement does not mean there are no fees. Chase charges a monthly service fee on most checking accounts unless you meet one of several conditions that waive it. The waiver conditions vary by account type and change periodically, so the real question is not whether you need a minimum balance—it is what you need to do to avoid paying the monthly fee.
Key Takeaways
- Chase checking accounts do not require you to maintain a minimum balance, but most accounts charge a monthly service fee unless you meet a waiver condition.
- The most common fee waiver is setting up direct deposit of your paycheck or other regular income into the account.
- Some Chase checking accounts waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance in a linked savings account or Chase investment account instead of the checking account itself.
- Chase Total Checking has the lowest monthly fee at $12 if no waiver applies, while other account types charge $15 or more.
- You can check your account's specific fee waiver conditions in the Chase mobile app or by calling the number on the back of your debit card.
How Chase waives monthly checking fees
Chase offers several ways to avoid the monthly service fee on checking accounts. The easiest and most common is direct deposit—if you set up your employer's paycheck or government benefits to deposit directly into the account, the fee is waived. You do not need a minimum amount; even a single direct deposit per month typically qualifies.
A second option is maintaining a minimum balance in a linked savings account. For Chase Total Checking, this means keeping $500 or more in a Chase savings account that is linked to your checking account. The balance sits in savings, not checking, so your checking account can stay at zero. This waiver applies only to the savings account balance, not the checking account balance.
A third route is holding a minimum balance in a Chase investment account—such as a brokerage account or money market account—though the threshold is higher and varies by account type. Some customers find this option less practical unless they are already investing with Chase.
Chase also waives fees for customers under 18 and for accounts opened through certain employer or organization partnerships. The specific waivers tied to your account appear in your account agreement and in the Chase app under account details.
What happens if you do not meet a fee waiver condition
If your account does not may have access to for a fee waiver, Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee. For Chase Total Checking, the fee is $12 per month. Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month, and Chase Sapphire Checking charges $15 per month. These fees are deducted automatically from your account balance each month, usually on the same date.
The fee will be charged even if your account balance is zero or negative. If your balance is negative when the fee posts, your account will go further negative, and you may incur an overdraft fee on top of the monthly service fee. This is why checking the waiver conditions before opening an account matters—a $12 monthly fee adds up to $144 per year.
Minimum balance requirements for linked savings accounts
If you use a linked savings account balance to waive your checking fee, Chase requires you to maintain $500 in that savings account. This is a true minimum—if your savings balance drops below $500, the fee waiver no longer applies and your checking account will be charged the monthly fee the following month.
The $500 must stay in the savings account; it cannot be transferred to checking without losing the waiver. However, you can earn interest on that $500 in the savings account while it sits there, so the money is not completely locked away. Chase's savings account interest rates change with market conditions, so check the current rate before deciding whether this waiver route makes sense for you.
Direct deposit as the easiest fee waiver
Setting up direct deposit is the simplest way to waive Chase checking fees because it requires no minimum balance and no ongoing action after setup. You provide your employer or benefits administrator with your Chase account and routing number, and the deposit happens automatically each pay period.
Direct deposit counts toward the waiver even if the amount is small—$1 per month technically qualifies, though most employers deposit weekly or biweekly. Once direct deposit is active, the fee waiver applies immediately, and you do not need to do anything else to maintain it. If direct deposit stops for any reason, the waiver ends and fees resume the following month.
If you do not receive regular paychecks or government benefits, you can sometimes set up direct deposit from another bank account or from a third-party payment service, though Chase's rules on what counts as "direct deposit" can be strict. Calling Chase at the number on your debit card is the fastest way to confirm whether a specific deposit source qualifies.
Comparing Chase checking accounts and their fee structures
| Account Type | Monthly Fee (No Waiver) | Direct Deposit Waiver | Linked Savings Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | Yes | $500 |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | Yes | $500 |
| Chase Sapphire Checking | $15 | Yes | $500 |
Chase Total Checking is the most common account and has the lowest monthly fee. It is designed for everyday banking and offers the most straightforward fee waivers. Chase Premier Plus Checking is aimed at customers with higher balances or more complex banking needs and charges a higher fee but may offer additional perks like higher interest rates on linked savings.
Chase Sapphire Checking is tied to the Chase Sapphire credit card ecosystem and is intended for customers who want rewards integration. The monthly fee falls between Total and Premier Plus. All three accounts waive fees through direct deposit, so if you receive regular paychecks, the account type matters less than the features you actually use.
How to check your account's fee waiver status
You can see whether your checking account is currently waiving fees by opening the Chase mobile app, selecting your checking account, and looking at the account details or account agreement section. The app displays which waiver condition is active—direct deposit, linked savings balance, or other—and whether the condition is currently met.
If you are unsure or the app does not show clear information, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card. Chase representatives can confirm your account type, explain the fee waiver options, and tell you whether your account is currently being charged a fee. They can also help you set up direct deposit or link a savings account if you want to switch waiver methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my Chase checking account open with zero balance?
Yes, as long as you meet a fee waiver condition. If you do not meet a waiver, the $12 monthly fee will be charged and your account will go negative. Chase may close accounts that remain negative for an extended period, so it is important to either meet a waiver or maintain enough balance to cover the monthly fee.
What if I close my linked savings account—do I lose the fee waiver?
Yes. If you close the savings account that is linked to your checking account for the fee waiver, the waiver ends and your checking account will be charged the monthly fee starting the next month. If you want to stop using the savings account waiver, set up direct deposit first to avoid a gap in coverage.
Does Chase charge a fee to set up direct deposit?
No. Setting up direct deposit is free, and there is no charge to receive deposits. You only need your account number and routing number, which you can find in the Chase app or by calling customer service.
Can I use a savings account at a different bank to waive the Chase checking fee?
No. Chase requires the linked savings account to be a Chase savings account. A savings account at another bank does not count toward the minimum balance waiver, even if it is linked to your Chase checking account for transfers.
What is the routing number for Chase direct deposit?
Chase routing numbers vary by location and account type. The fastest way to find your specific routing number is to open the Chase app, select your checking account, and look for account details or routing information. You can also call the number on your debit card and ask for your routing number.