Chase charges monthly fees on most checking accounts, but you can avoid them

Chase does charge a monthly service fee on most of its checking accounts — typically $12 per month for their standard accounts. However, you can waive this fee by meeting one straightforward requirement: keeping a minimum balance in the account. For most Chase checking accounts, that minimum is $500. If your balance stays at or above that amount, Chase will not charge you the monthly fee.

The exact fee and the way to avoid it depends on which Chase checking account you open. Chase offers several versions, and each has different rules about what triggers the fee and how to stop paying it.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase's standard checking account charges $12 per month unless you keep a $500 minimum balance in the account.
  • Chase also offers a no-fee checking account called Chase find Banking, which has no monthly service fee and no minimum balance requirement.
  • If you fall below the minimum balance, Chase will charge the monthly fee once, not repeatedly, until you bring the balance back up.
  • Other ways to avoid fees include setting up a direct deposit of your paycheck or keeping a linked savings account with Chase.

The three main Chase checking accounts and their fees

Chase Total Checking is the most common account. It charges $12 per month, but the fee goes away if you keep $500 in the account at all times. You can also waive the fee by setting up direct deposit (your employer deposits your paycheck directly into the account) or by keeping a linked Chase savings account with at least $500 in it.

Chase find Banking is designed for people building or rebuilding credit. It has no monthly service fee and no minimum balance requirement. There is no overdraft protection, which means if you spend more than you have, the transaction will be declined rather than covered by the bank. This account is free to use.

Chase Premier Plus Checking is for customers who want more features and are willing to pay for them. It charges $25 per month unless you keep a $25,000 minimum balance or meet other conditions like having a linked investment account with Chase.

What happens if your balance drops below the minimum

If you fall below the $500 minimum on Chase Total Checking, Chase will charge you the $12 fee once that month. The fee does not repeat every day or every week — it is a single monthly charge. Once you bring your balance back above $500, the fee will not appear again the following month.

This matters because it means a temporary dip below the minimum does not trap you in ongoing charges. If you have $450 in your account for a few days and then deposit your paycheck, bringing the balance back to $1,200, you will pay the fee for that one month but not for the next one.

Other ways to avoid the monthly fee

Keeping the $500 balance is the most straightforward way, but Chase offers alternatives. If you set up direct deposit — meaning your employer sends your paycheck directly to your Chase account — the monthly fee is waived even if your balance drops below $500. This is useful if you get paid regularly but tend to spend most of your paycheck quickly.

You can also avoid the fee by opening a linked Chase savings account and keeping $500 in it. The money does not have to be in the checking account itself; it can sit in the savings account instead. Some people use this method because it lets them keep their checking balance lower while still avoiding the fee.

Overdraft fees and other charges beyond the monthly fee

The monthly service fee is separate from overdraft fees. If you spend more money than you have in your account, Chase will charge you an overdraft fee — currently $35 per transaction. This is different from the monthly fee and happens only when you actually overspend, not just because your balance is low.

Chase also charges fees for things like wire transfers, stop payments on checks, and replacing a lost debit card (though the card replacement is usually free). These are not part of the monthly service fee; they are separate charges for specific services.

How to open a Chase checking account without fees

If you want to avoid fees entirely, open Chase find Banking instead of Chase Total Checking. You will not pay a monthly fee, and there is no minimum balance to maintain. The tradeoff is that this account does not include overdraft protection, so transactions will be declined if you do not have enough money rather than being covered and charged a fee.

If you prefer the features of Chase Total Checking, plan ahead before opening the account. Decide whether you can realistically keep $500 in the account, set up direct deposit with your employer, or open a linked savings account. Whichever method you choose, write it down so you remember what you committed to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from Chase Total Checking to Chase find Banking to avoid fees?

Yes. You can close your Chase Total Checking account and open Chase find Banking at any time. There is no penalty for closing the account. Contact Chase by phone, through their app, or visit a branch to make the switch.

If I have direct deposit, do I still need to keep the $500 minimum balance?

No. Direct deposit alone waives the monthly fee, even if your balance falls below $500. However, you will still be charged overdraft fees if you spend more than you have, so keeping some money in the account is still a good idea.

Does the $500 minimum have to be in checking, or can it be in a linked savings account?

It can be in a linked savings account. You do not have to keep the $500 in the checking account itself. Many people use this method to keep their checking balance lower while still avoiding the monthly fee.

What if I cannot keep $500 in my account right now?

Open Chase find Banking instead. It has no monthly fee and no minimum balance. You will not have overdraft protection, but you will not be charged a monthly service fee either.

Does Chase charge a fee just to have a checking account open?

Chase find Banking does not. Chase Total Checking charges $12 per month unless you meet one of the fee-waiver conditions. Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month unless you meet its conditions.