Chase's main checking accounts have no monthly fee if you meet one straightforward requirement
Chase's most common checking accounts — the Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking — do not charge a monthly fee as long as you keep a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. The specific requirement depends on which account you open. If you do not meet the requirement, Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee, usually between $12 and $15.
The fee is not automatic. It only appears on your statement if you fall below the balance threshold or fail to set up the direct deposit option. This means you control whether you pay it.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit of any amount.
- Chase Sapphire Checking has no monthly fee if you maintain a $10,000 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.
- If you do not meet either requirement, Chase charges a $12 monthly maintenance fee on Total Checking and $15 on Sapphire Checking.
- Direct deposit is the easiest way to avoid the fee — it can be as little as one paycheck per month, even if the amount is small.
- Chase offers other account types with different fee structures, so the fee depends on which checking account you choose.
What counts as direct deposit at Chase
Direct deposit means your employer or a government agency (like Social Security) deposits money straight into your Chase account electronically. You set this up once, usually by giving your employer or the agency your Chase account number and routing number. After that, the deposits happen automatically.
The amount does not matter. Even if your employer deposits $50 per month, that counts as direct deposit and waives the monthly fee. Many people think direct deposit has to be a full paycheck — it does not. Chase only requires that at least one direct deposit post to the account during each statement period (usually a month).
If you receive Social Security, unemployment benefits, or a pension, those count as direct deposit too. You do not need a traditional job.
Minimum balance requirements by account type
Chase offers several checking accounts, and the balance requirement changes depending on which one you open. Here is what you need to know about the two most common:
| Account Type | Minimum Balance to Avoid Fee | Monthly Fee if Requirement Not Met |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $500 | $12 |
| Chase Sapphire Checking | $10,000 | $15 |
The balance is calculated as your average daily balance during the statement period, not just what you have on one day. This means if you have $600 one day and $400 the next, Chase averages those amounts across the month. You do not need to maintain the exact amount every single day.
Chase Sapphire Checking is designed for people with more money to keep in the account. It comes with additional benefits like higher interest rates on savings and travel rewards, which is why the balance requirement is higher. If you cannot maintain $10,000, Chase Total Checking is usually the better choice.
What happens if you do not meet the requirement
If your average daily balance falls below the minimum and you have not set up direct deposit, Chase charges the monthly maintenance fee. The fee appears on your statement and is deducted from your account automatically.
You can avoid the fee retroactively by setting up direct deposit before the next statement closes. Chase does not always reverse a fee you have already been charged, but some customers have had success calling and asking. The worst that happens is they say no — it is worth a phone call if you just missed the requirement by a small amount.
If you repeatedly fail to meet the requirement and do not want to set up direct deposit, you may want to switch to a different bank with lower or no monthly fees. Some banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance at all.
How to set up direct deposit with Chase
You can set up direct deposit through Chase's website, mobile app, or by calling the bank. You will need your Chase account number and routing number, which you can find on the bottom left of any check or in the app under account details.
Give this information to your employer's payroll department or to the government agency sending you benefits. They will set up the deposit on their end. It usually takes one to two pay periods for the first deposit to arrive, but once it does, the fee waiver is active when ready.
If you are not sure whether your employer or benefit source can do direct deposit, ask them directly. Most can, but some smaller employers or older systems may not offer it. In that case, the $500 minimum balance on Chase Total Checking is your other option.
Other Chase accounts with different fee structures
Chase offers accounts beyond Total Checking and Sapphire Checking. Some have different fees or no fees at all, depending on what you are looking for.
Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee for students under 25 and no minimum balance requirement. Once you turn 25, it converts to Chase Total Checking, and the $500 minimum balance or direct deposit requirement applies.
Chase find Checking is designed for people rebuilding credit or new to banking. It also has no monthly fee and no minimum balance, but it comes with a debit card that has a lower spending limit and requires a deposit to open.
If you are opening a checking account for the first time or have had banking problems in the past, ask a Chase representative which account fits your situation. The fee structure varies, and the right choice depends on your income and how much you can keep in the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid the fee by keeping money in a savings account instead of checking?
No. The minimum balance requirement applies only to money in the checking account itself. Money in a Chase savings account does not count toward the checking account minimum. You need to keep the required amount in the checking account or set up direct deposit.
What if I get direct deposit but my balance still drops below the minimum?
You will not be charged the monthly fee. Direct deposit waives the fee regardless of your balance. As long as at least one direct deposit posts during the statement period, the fee does not explore.
Does the $500 minimum have to be in cash, or can it include pending deposits?
The minimum balance is calculated from money that has already posted to your account, not pending deposits. If you have $400 posted and a $200 deposit pending, you do not meet the $500 minimum yet. Once the deposit posts, the balance counts.
Can I move money between my Chase accounts to meet the minimum?
Yes. If you have a Chase savings account, you can transfer money to checking to meet the minimum balance requirement. The balance requirement looks at what is in the checking account, regardless of where it came from.
What if I close my Chase checking account and reopen it later?
Chase may charge a fee if you close and reopen an account within a short time frame. If you are thinking about closing your account, ask a Chase representative whether you will face any penalties for reopening later.