What Chase charges for checking accounts

Chase offers several checking accounts, and whether you pay a monthly fee depends on which account you open and whether you meet the bank's requirements to waive it. The Chase Total Checking account carries a $12 monthly service fee, but you can avoid it by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $500, setting up direct deposit, or keeping a linked savings account with $500 in it. The Chase Premier Plus Checking account costs $25 per month and requires either a $15,000 minimum balance or a may have access to direct deposit to waive the fee.

Chase also offers Chase Student Checking, which has no monthly fee for customers under 24 years old, and Chase find Checking, designed for people rebuilding credit, which also carries no monthly fee. Both of these accounts have different features and limits than the standard checking products, so the choice depends on your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or link a savings account with $500.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either a $15,000 balance or a may have access to direct deposit to waive the fee.
  • Chase Student Checking and Chase find Checking have no monthly fees, but come with different account features and may be able to access requirements.
  • Fees can be waived through multiple paths — you do not need to meet all requirements, just one.

How to avoid the monthly fee on Chase Total Checking

The easiest way to waive the $12 fee is to set up direct deposit from your employer or another regular income source. Chase does not specify a minimum deposit amount, so even small recurring deposits count. If you do not receive direct deposit, you can instead maintain a $500 minimum daily balance in the checking account itself, or keep $500 in a linked Chase savings account.

The balance requirement is a daily minimum, not an average, which means your account must never drop below $500 on any single day during the month. If you fall short even once, the fee applies for that month. Some people find it easier to keep the savings account link active as a backup, since the savings account balance counts toward the waiver even if you rarely touch it.

Other fees you may encounter

Beyond the monthly service fee, Chase charges for specific actions. Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction if you spend more than your balance, though Chase does offer overdraft protection that links to a savings account or credit card to cover the gap. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $3 per transaction, but Chase has a large ATM network and does not charge for in-network use. Wire transfers cost $15 for domestic transfers and $15 for incoming international transfers.

Stopping a check costs $30, and requesting a duplicate statement costs $5. If your account is inactive for a long period, Chase may charge an inactivity fee, though this is less common with active accounts. Paper statements, if you request them instead of going paperless, do not carry an extra charge, but Chase encourages digital statements to reduce costs.

Comparing Chase checking to other banks

Many online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have zero-fee checking with no strings attached. Traditional banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo also charge monthly fees ($12 and $10 respectively) but offer similar waiver paths through direct deposit or minimum balances.

The trade-off is usually branch access and ATM networks. Chase has over 4,700 branches and 16,000 ATMs nationwide, which matters if you deposit cash frequently or prefer in-person banking. If you bank primarily online and do not need physical locations, a no-fee online bank may save you money. If you value Chase's branch network, the $12 fee is avoidable through direct deposit, which most working people already have.

What happens if you do not meet the waiver requirements

If you do not set up direct deposit, maintain the minimum balance, or link a savings account, the $12 monthly fee will post to your account on the same day each month. The fee is automatic and will continue every month until you meet one of the waiver conditions. You can change your account type to Chase Student Checking or Chase find Checking if you are may be able to access, but you cannot downgrade to a lower-fee account once you have opened Total Checking.

If fees have already been charged and you believe they were applied in error, you can contact Chase customer service to request a reversal. Chase sometimes reverses one or two months of fees as a courtesy, especially if you have been a long-term customer, but there is no may provide. The best approach is to set up direct deposit or a linked savings account before the first fee posts.

How to set up direct deposit to waive the fee

Direct deposit is the simplest waiver path. You will need your Chase account number and routing number, which you can find on a check, in the Chase mobile app, or by calling customer service. Give this information to your employer's payroll department and ask them to set up direct deposit to your Chase checking account. The deposit does not need to be large — even a small recurring payment counts.

If you do not have an employer, you may be able to set up direct deposit from Social Security, unemployment benefits, or a pension. Some gig economy platforms and freelance payment services also support direct deposit. Once direct deposit is active, the fee waiver takes effect when ready, and you will not be charged the $12 monthly fee going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch to a different Chase checking account to avoid fees?

Yes, if you are under 24 you can open Chase Student Checking with no monthly fee. If you are rebuilding credit, Chase find Checking also has no monthly fee. For other customers, switching accounts does not lower the fee — Premier Plus Checking costs more, not less. Your best option is to meet one of the waiver requirements on your current account.

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

No, there is no opening fee or account setup charge. You only pay the monthly service fee if you do not meet the waiver requirements. Some promotions offer cash bonuses for opening a new account, but these are separate from the monthly fee structure.

What if I close my Chase checking account — do I owe anything?

Chase does not charge a closing fee. You can close your account at any time by visiting a branch, calling customer service, or using the mobile app. If your account has a negative balance due to overdraft fees, you will need to pay that before closing, but there is no separate fee for the closure itself.

Does the direct deposit have to come from my job?

No. Direct deposit from Social Security, unemployment, pension, disability payments, or other regular income sources all count toward the fee waiver. The source does not matter — only that the deposit is recurring and electronic.

If I have both a checking and savings account, do the balances combine for the waiver?

No. For Chase Total Checking, you need either $500 in the checking account itself, or $500 in a linked savings account. The balances do not combine. For Premier Plus Checking, the $15,000 minimum applies to the checking account only.