The quickest way to know what you have

Open your Chase app or log into Chase.com, go to your accounts page, and look at the account name. Chase displays the account type right there: it will say "Chase Checking" or "Chase Savings" or something similar like "Chase Total Checking" or "Chase Savings Account." That name is the clearest answer.

If you have a physical card, checking accounts come with a debit card you can use at stores and ATMs. Savings accounts do not — you cannot swipe a savings account at a register. If you have a card tied to the account, it is checking.

Your monthly statement also shows the account type at the top. If you have paper statements, look at the first page. If you get statements by email, the PDF will list it in the header or account summary section.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Chase app or online banking shows the account type in the account name — it will say "Checking" or "Savings" directly.
  • Checking accounts come with a debit card; savings accounts do not.
  • Your monthly statement displays the account type at the top, whether you receive it on paper or by email.
  • Checking accounts let you write checks and set up automatic bill payments; savings accounts are designed for storing money and earning interest.

Why the difference matters for how you use the account

Checking and savings accounts work differently because they serve different purposes. A checking account is built for spending and paying bills. You can write checks, use a debit card, set up automatic payments to other people or companies, and move money in and out frequently without penalty. Banks expect you to use checking accounts actively.

A savings account is designed to hold money and earn interest — a small amount of money the bank pays you for letting them use your funds. Savings accounts typically have limits on how many times per month you can transfer money out (though Chase removed this limit in recent years). The tradeoff is that savings accounts usually earn a higher interest rate than checking accounts, which often earn zero interest.

If you are not sure which one you need, think about the money's purpose. Money you spend regularly — rent, groceries, bills — belongs in checking. Money you are saving toward a goal or keeping as backup should go in savings.

What to do if you have both accounts

Many people keep both a checking account and a savings account at Chase. Your checking account handles daily spending, and your savings account holds emergency money or money toward a specific goal. Chase lets you link them together, which means you can transfer money between them through the app in seconds.

If you have both, the Chase app will show them as separate lines on your accounts page, each labeled with its type. You can see the balance in each one and move money between them without any fee.

Interest rates and fees differ between the two

Chase checking accounts typically earn no interest, meaning the bank does not pay you to keep money there. Some checking products offer slightly higher rates if you meet certain requirements — like setting up direct deposit or maintaining a minimum balance — but these rates are still very low.

Chase savings accounts do earn interest, though the rate changes based on what the Federal Reserve does with interest rates. The rate you earn also depends on which savings product you have; some Chase savings accounts earn more than others. You can see your current rate in the app or by calling Chase customer service.

Both account types may have monthly fees, though Chase often waives them if you meet conditions like keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit. Check your account details in the app to see whether your account has a fee and what you need to do to avoid it.

How to switch from one type to account to the other

If you realize you have the wrong type of account, you do not have to close it and start over. You can call Chase at the number on the back of your card or message them through the app to ask about converting your account. A representative can walk you through whether a conversion is possible and what happens to your money and balance during the switch.

In many cases, converting takes just a few minutes on the phone. Your money stays in the account — nothing is lost — and you get a new account number and card if you are switching from savings to checking. If you are switching from checking to savings, you will lose your debit card, but you can keep the same balance.

If conversion is not an option for your specific account, opening a new account of the type you need is straightforward. You can do it through the Chase app in a few minutes, and then transfer your money from the old account to the new one.

Reading your Chase statement to confirm the account type

Your monthly statement is an official record of your account, and it always shows the account type clearly. If you receive statements by mail, open the first page and look near the top — you will see your account number and right next to it or nearby, the account type. If you get statements by email, read the PDF and look at the first page in the same spot.

The statement also shows activity specific to that account type. A checking statement will list any checks you wrote, debit card purchases, and bill payments. A savings statement will show deposits, withdrawals, and the interest the bank paid you that month. This activity pattern is another way to confirm what you are looking at.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both a checking and savings account at Chase?

Yes. Most people keep both — one for daily spending and one for saving. You can link them in the app and transfer money between them when ready with no fee. Each account appears separately on your accounts page with its own balance and name.

Why does my checking account not earn interest?

Checking accounts are designed for frequent spending, not saving. Banks offer higher interest rates on savings accounts to encourage you to keep money there longer. Some Chase checking products do earn a small amount of interest if you meet specific requirements, but it is usually very low.

What happens to my money if I convert my account?

Your balance stays the same — nothing is lost. If you convert from checking to savings, you lose the debit card but keep the money. If you convert from savings to checking, you get a new debit card and the same balance moves over. The process usually takes a few minutes.

Can I use my savings account to pay bills?

You cannot use a debit card or write checks from savings, but you can set up a transfer to your checking account and pay from there. Some bills can be paid directly from savings through Chase's bill pay system, but it is slower than paying from checking.

Where do I find the interest rate my savings account earns?

Log into your Chase account online or open the app, find your savings account, and look for account details or account information. The current interest rate (called APY) is listed there. You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card.