Chase business checking accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet one of their account requirements

Chase's business checking accounts come with a monthly maintenance fee — usually between $12 and $15 depending on the account type — but you can avoid it by meeting a single requirement. The requirement changes based on which Chase business checking account you have, but the most common path is maintaining a minimum balance or setting up regular direct deposits. You do not have to do both; one is enough.

The specific requirement depends on your account. Chase offers several business checking products, and each has its own fee waiver rules. Before opening an account, knowing which requirement fits your business is the fastest way to avoid paying fees you do not need to pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase business checking accounts waive their monthly fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance, typically $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the account type.
  • Direct deposit of payroll or business income also waives the monthly fee on most Chase business checking accounts, even if your balance stays low.
  • Some accounts waive fees through a combination of requirements — for example, a lower balance plus a certain number of debit card transactions per month.
  • The fee waiver requirement is set when you open the account, so reading the account terms before signing up tells you exactly what you need to do.
  • If you stop meeting the requirement, Chase will charge the fee starting the next month, so checking your balance or deposit schedule occasionally prevents surprise charges.

The minimum balance requirement is the most straightforward path

Most Chase business checking accounts waive their monthly fee if you keep a certain amount of money in the account at all times. This is called a minimum daily balance, and it means the lowest amount your balance reaches on any single day during the month. If your balance dips below the minimum even once, you do not get the fee waiver for that month.

The minimum balance varies by account. Chase's basic business checking account typically requires $1,500, while premium accounts may require $2,500 or higher. You can find the exact number in the account's fee schedule, which Chase provides before you open the account — ask for it or look for it on the account details page when you are deciding which account to open.

The advantage of the minimum balance route is simplicity: you do not have to do anything except keep money in the account. The disadvantage is that you have less money available to use elsewhere. If keeping $1,500 or $2,500 sitting in a checking account would strain your cash flow, the direct deposit option may work better for you.

Direct deposit waives fees without requiring a large balance

If your business receives regular payroll deposits or you transfer income into the account regularly, you can waive the monthly fee through direct deposit instead of maintaining a balance. Direct deposit means money is transferred electronically into your account on a set schedule — typically weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

Chase usually requires a minimum amount per deposit or a minimum number of deposits per month. For example, an account might waive fees if you receive at least one direct deposit of $500 or more per month, or if you receive two or more deposits of any amount. The exact requirement is in the account's fee schedule.

This option works well if your business already has a regular income stream — payroll, client payments, or transfers from another account. You do not need to keep a large balance, so your money stays available for operations. The trade-off is that the fee waiver depends on that deposit happening; if a month passes without a may have access to deposit, you will owe the fee.

Some accounts combine balance and activity requirements

A few Chase business checking accounts waive fees through a combination of requirements rather than one single option. For example, an account might waive the fee if you maintain a $500 balance and make at least 10 debit card transactions per month, or if you maintain $1,000 and receive one direct deposit.

These hybrid accounts are less common than the straight balance or direct deposit options, but they can work well if you use your business checking card frequently. Before opening any account, check whether the fee waiver requires one thing or multiple things — the fee schedule will list all the options clearly.

How to find the exact fee waiver requirement for your account

Chase publishes the fee waiver rules in a document called the account fee schedule or pricing information. You can find this on Chase's website before you open an account, or ask a banker at a Chase branch to show it to you. The document lists the monthly fee amount and every way to waive it.

If you already have a Chase business checking account, you can find your account's fee waiver requirement by logging into Chase online banking, calling the business banking phone number on the back of your card, or visiting a branch. Write down the exact requirement — the minimum balance amount, the direct deposit amount, or the combination of requirements — so you know what to track.

Keep the fee schedule or take a screenshot. If Chase changes the account terms in the future, they will notify you, but having your own copy means you can compare what changed and decide whether to stay with the account or switch.

What happens if you stop meeting the requirement

If your balance drops below the minimum or a month passes without a may have access to direct deposit, Chase will charge you the monthly maintenance fee starting the next statement cycle. The fee appears as a line item on your statement, and it reduces your account balance.

If this happens once, you can call Chase and ask them to reverse the fee as a courtesy — many banks will do this once or twice if you have been meeting the requirement consistently. After that, the fee will be charged regularly unless you meet the requirement again.

To avoid accidental fees, check your balance or deposit schedule once a month. If you know a direct deposit will be late, transfer money into the account temporarily to keep your balance above the minimum. Once the deposit arrives, you can move the money back out.

Comparing Chase business checking to other options

Chase is not the only bank offering business checking. Some banks, including online banks, offer business checking with no monthly fee at all, regardless of balance or deposits. Others charge lower fees or have lower minimum balance requirements.

If you are deciding whether to open a Chase account or switch from another bank, compare the fee waiver requirements across a few options. Write down the monthly fee, the minimum balance requirement, and the direct deposit requirement for each account you are considering. Then decide which one fits your business's cash flow and banking habits best.

Chase accounts come with the advantage of branch access if you have a Chase location near you, and integration with Chase's other business products. But if you rarely visit a branch and prefer to bank online, a no-fee online bank might save you money and complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I waive the fee by using my debit card a certain number of times?

Most Chase business checking accounts do not waive fees through debit card use alone. However, some premium accounts may include debit card transactions as part of a combination requirement — for example, maintaining a $500 balance plus 10 transactions per month. Check your specific account's fee schedule to see if this option is available.

What if I have multiple Chase business checking accounts?

Each account has its own fee waiver requirement, and each one is tracked separately. You cannot combine balances or deposits across accounts to meet one account's requirement. If you have two accounts and only one meets its requirement, you will be charged a fee on the other one.

Does a savings account balance count toward the checking account minimum?

No. The minimum balance requirement applies only to your business checking account. Money in a linked savings account, money market account, or any other account does not count. Only the balance in the specific checking account matters.

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

No. If you close your account before the end of a statement cycle, Chase will not charge the monthly fee for that cycle. However, if you have already been charged a fee in a previous month, closing the account does not refund it.

Can I set up a transfer from another bank to waive the fee?

A transfer from another bank usually counts as a direct deposit only if it is set up as an ACH transfer on a regular schedule. A one-time transfer or a transfer you initiate manually may not may have access to. Ask Chase whether your planned transfer method counts before you rely on it to waive the fee.