Chase charges a monthly fee on most checking and savings accounts, but the amount depends on which account you have and whether you meet certain conditions

Chase's most common checking account, the Chase Total Checking, costs $12 per month. Their basic savings account, Chase Savings, costs $5 per month. However, you can avoid these fees by meeting one of the bank's conditions — usually by keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.

The fee structure is the same across all Chase branches nationwide. If you have multiple accounts, each one is charged separately unless you meet the waiver conditions for that specific account.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum balance or receive direct deposits.
  • Chase Savings costs $5 per month unless you keep a $300 minimum balance or link it to a may have access to checking account.
  • The monthly fee is charged on the last day of each statement period if you do not meet the waiver conditions.
  • Chase offers some accounts with no monthly fee, including Chase Student Checking and Chase Premier Plus Checking for customers with higher balances.
  • You can call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to confirm the current fee structure for your specific account type.

How the monthly fee works

Chase charges the fee automatically on the last day of your statement period if you do not meet the conditions to waive it. The fee comes out of your account balance just like any other debit. If your account does not have enough money to cover the fee, Chase may charge an overdraft fee on top of it.

The fee is not a one-time charge — it repeats every month you do not meet the waiver conditions. This means a $12 monthly fee on a checking account adds up to $144 per year if you never waive it.

Ways to avoid the monthly fee

Each Chase account has its own waiver conditions. For Chase Total Checking, you can avoid the $12 fee by doing one of these:

  • Keeping a minimum balance of $500 in the account at all times.
  • Receiving at least one direct deposit per month (any amount).
  • Maintaining a combined balance of $5,000 across all your Chase accounts.

For Chase Savings, you can avoid the $5 fee by:

  • Keeping a minimum balance of $300 in the account.
  • Linking the savings account to a Chase checking account that has no monthly fee.

Direct deposit is often the easiest route because it requires no balance at all. Even a small regular deposit from your employer, a government benefit, or a pension counts. If you do not receive direct deposits, the minimum balance requirement is usually simpler than trying to maintain a combined balance across multiple accounts.

Accounts with no monthly fee

Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee for customers under 25 years old, as long as you are a full-time student. Once you turn 25 or stop being a full-time student, the account converts to Chase Total Checking and the $12 monthly fee applies unless you meet the waiver conditions.

Chase Premier Plus Checking also has no monthly fee, but it requires a minimum balance of $25,000 or more. This account is designed for customers with larger balances and offers additional benefits like higher interest rates on savings.

If you want to avoid monthly fees entirely and do not may have access to for the student or premier accounts, your best option is to set up direct deposit on a Chase Total Checking account. Once direct deposit is active, the $12 fee is waived every month.

What happens if you cannot meet the waiver conditions

If you cannot maintain the minimum balance and do not receive direct deposits, you will be charged the monthly fee. This is common for people who are new to banking or who have irregular income. The fee is not a penalty — it is how Chase covers the cost of maintaining your account.

You have options if the monthly fee is a problem. You can switch to a bank or credit union that offers no-fee checking accounts. Many community banks and online banks do not charge monthly fees at all. You can also ask Chase whether you may have access to for any fee waivers based on your situation — some branches have discretion to waive fees temporarily for customers facing hardship.

How to check your account's fee status

Log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app and look at your most recent statement. The statement will show whether a monthly fee was charged. If a fee appears, it means you did not meet the waiver conditions that month.

You can also call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935 to ask about your specific account. Have your account number ready. A representative can tell you which waiver conditions explore to your account and whether you are currently meeting any of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the monthly fee refunded if I just opened the account?

Chase does not automatically refund monthly fees. However, if you just opened the account and were not told about the fee, you can call customer service and ask. Some representatives will reverse one fee as a courtesy, especially if you are new to banking with Chase.

Does the direct deposit have to come from my employer?

No. Direct deposit from any source counts — your employer, Social Security, a pension, unemployment benefits, or even a transfer from another bank. The amount does not matter. As long as one direct deposit posts per month, the fee is waived.

What if I have both checking and savings with Chase?

Each account is charged separately. Your checking account fee and savings account fee are independent. However, some waiver conditions let you combine balances across accounts, so linking them can help you avoid both fees if you have enough total money in Chase accounts.

Do Chase money market accounts have monthly fees?

Yes. Chase Money Market accounts also charge monthly fees, typically $25 per month. The fee is waived if you maintain a higher minimum balance, usually $2,500 or more. Check your account documents or call Chase to confirm the exact amount for your account.

If I close my Chase account, do I still owe the monthly fee?

No. Once you close the account, no further monthly fees are charged. However, if a fee was charged before you closed it, you still owe that fee. Make sure your account balance covers any pending fees before you close.