What Chase requires to open and keep a checking account

Chase does not require a minimum opening deposit to start most of their checking accounts. You can open an account with $0 and deposit money later. However, some accounts have a minimum balance requirement to avoid a monthly fee — and that requirement varies by account type.

The most common Chase checking account is the Chase Total Checking, which has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service fee. If you fall below any balance threshold, you simply pay nothing extra. Other Chase checking products have different rules, and the fee structure depends on which account you choose and whether you meet certain conditions like direct deposit or linked savings.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee, making it the simplest option for most people.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking requires either a $15,000 minimum balance or a $500 monthly direct deposit to waive the $25 monthly fee.
  • Chase Sapphire Checking requires a $10,000 minimum balance or $500 monthly direct deposit to avoid the $10 monthly fee.
  • You can open any Chase checking account with $0 and add money afterward; the minimum balance only matters if you want to avoid fees.
  • Fees are waived automatically if you meet the balance or direct deposit requirement, so you do not have to do anything extra once you set it up.

Chase Total Checking — no minimum, no monthly fee

Chase Total Checking is the account with the lowest barrier to entry. There is no minimum opening deposit, no minimum balance to maintain, and no monthly service fee under any circumstance. You can keep $1 in the account indefinitely and pay nothing.

This account includes a debit card, online banking, mobile check deposit, and access to Chase's ATM network. If you do not need premium features like investment services or higher interest rates, this is the account most people should choose.

Chase Premier Plus Checking — $15,000 minimum or $500 direct deposit

Chase Premier Plus Checking charges a $25 monthly service fee unless you meet one of two conditions: maintain a $15,000 minimum balance in the account, or receive at least $500 in direct deposits each month. If you do either, the fee is waived automatically.

This account is designed for people who already have substantial savings or regular paychecks deposited directly. If your balance drops below $15,000 and you do not have $500 in monthly direct deposits, you will be charged $25 that month. The fee applies once per month, every month the conditions are not met.

Chase Sapphire Checking — $10,000 minimum or $500 direct deposit

Chase Sapphire Checking has a $10 monthly service fee that is waived if you keep a $10,000 minimum balance or receive $500 in monthly direct deposits. Like Premier Plus, you only need to meet one of these two conditions.

Sapphire Checking is positioned as a mid-tier account and includes some additional perks compared to Total Checking, such as higher interest rates on the account balance itself. However, the $10,000 minimum balance requirement means this account makes sense only if you already have that amount saved.

How minimum balance is calculated

Chase calculates your minimum balance based on your account balance at the end of each business day. If your balance dips below the required amount on even one day during the month, you do not meet the requirement for that month, and the fee applies.

This means you cannot simply deposit $15,000 on the last day of the month to avoid a fee if you spent most of the month below the threshold. The balance must stay at or above the minimum throughout the entire statement period. Direct deposit, by contrast, is counted once it hits your account — you do not need to hold it there for any length of time.

When fees are charged and how to avoid them

Monthly fees are charged on the statement closing date if you did not meet the balance or direct deposit requirement during that month. The fee appears as a debit on your account and reduces your balance immediately.

To avoid fees, set up direct deposit through your employer or benefit provider if you receive regular income. This is the easiest route because it happens automatically and requires no ongoing action. If you do not have direct deposit, keep the required minimum balance in the account at all times — do not let it drop, even temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase checking account with no money?

Yes. Chase does not require an opening deposit for any of their checking accounts. You can open the account online or at a branch with $0 and deposit money whenever you want. The minimum balance requirement only matters if you want to avoid a monthly fee.

What happens if my balance drops below the minimum for one day?

You will be charged the monthly fee for that statement period. Chase looks at your balance at the end of each business day, so even a single day below the threshold counts as not meeting the requirement. Plan to keep the balance above the minimum throughout the entire month.

Does money in a linked savings account count toward the checking minimum?

No. Only the balance in the checking account itself counts. Money in a separate savings account, even if it is linked to your checking account, does not help you meet the minimum balance requirement for checking.

Can I use direct deposit from a side job or gig work?

Yes, as long as the money is deposited directly into your Chase account by the employer or platform. Direct deposit from any source counts — it does not have to be from your primary job. Venmo transfers or manual deposits do not count as direct deposit.

Do I have to do anything to waive the fee once I meet the requirement?

No. The fee is waived automatically if your balance stays at or above the minimum or if you receive $500 in direct deposits during the statement period. You do not need to call Chase or take any action — the system checks automatically on your statement closing date.