A checking account at Chase is a bank account where you deposit money, write checks, use a debit card, and pay bills

A checking account is a place to keep money that you plan to use soon — for groceries, rent, utilities, or everyday expenses. Chase is one of the largest banks in the United States, and they offer checking accounts at their branches and online. When you open a checking account at Chase, you get a debit card (a card that pulls money directly from your account), the ability to write checks, and access to online banking where you can see your balance and move money around.

The main reason people use checking accounts instead of keeping cash at home is safety and convenience. Your money is protected by federal insurance, you have a record of where your money went, and you can access it from almost anywhere — through an ATM, a Chase branch, online, or by phone.

Key Takeaways

  • A Chase checking account lets you deposit money and spend it using a debit card, checks, or online transfers.
  • Chase charges a monthly fee for most checking accounts, though some accounts waive the fee if you meet certain conditions like keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.
  • You can open a Chase checking account online, at a branch, or by phone, and you will need a government ID and Social Security number.
  • Chase offers different types of checking accounts for different needs — some with no monthly fee, some with extra features like higher interest rates, and some designed for students or young people.
  • Your money in a Chase checking account is insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which means if Chase fails, the government protects your deposits.

How to open a Chase checking account

You can open a Chase checking account online, at a Chase branch in person, or by phone. Online is usually the fastest — the process takes about 10 minutes, and you can start using the account the same day. You will need a government-issued ID (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number, and an initial deposit. Chase's minimum opening deposit varies by account type; some accounts require $25, while others require $100 or more.

If you open online, Chase will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your financial history or by uploading a photo of your ID. If you open in person at a branch, a banker will walk you through the process and answer questions. You can also call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 to open an account over the phone, though this is slower than the other two methods.

Monthly fees and how to avoid them

Most Chase checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee, typically $12 per month. However, Chase waives this fee if you meet one of several conditions. The most common ways to avoid the fee are to set up direct deposit (having your paycheck automatically deposited into the account), keep a minimum balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the account type), or maintain a certain number of debit card transactions per month.

Chase also offers some checking accounts with no monthly fee at all, such as the Chase Total Checking account if you set up direct deposit, or the Chase find Banking account designed for people building credit. Read the account details carefully before opening, because the fee waiver requirements differ by account type.

What you can do with a Chase checking account

Once your account is open, you can deposit money by visiting a Chase branch, using an ATM, or transferring money from another bank. You can spend money using your debit card at stores, online, or at ATMs. You can also write checks if you order a checkbook (Chase will mail one to you, usually at no cost). Many people use checking accounts to pay bills online through Chase's website or mobile app — you can set up one-time payments or recurring monthly payments to companies like utilities or insurance.

You can also transfer money to other people's accounts using Chase's mobile app or website, either to other Chase customers or to people at other banks. Most transfers between banks take one to three business days. If you need cash, you can withdraw it at any Chase ATM for free, or at many other banks' ATMs (though some charge a fee).

Debit cards and checks

When you open a checking account at Chase, you receive a debit card — a card that looks like a credit card but pulls money directly from your checking account. You can use it anywhere that accepts Visa (Chase debit cards are Visa cards). Unlike a credit card, you cannot spend more than you have in the account, and you do not build credit history by using it.

Checks are less common now, but Chase still offers them. A check is a written instruction to your bank to pay a specific amount of money to a specific person or business. You write the check, sign it, and give it to the person or business. They deposit it at their bank, and the money comes out of your account a few days later. Checks are useful for paying rent, paying contractors, or sending money to people who do not have bank accounts. You can order checks through Chase's website, and they usually arrive within one to two weeks.

Online and mobile banking

Chase's website and mobile app let you check your balance, see your transaction history, transfer money, pay bills, and deposit checks by taking a photo (called mobile check deposit). You can set up alerts so Chase notifies you when your balance drops below a certain amount, when a large transaction occurs, or when a bill is due. You can also freeze or unfreeze your debit card when ready through the app if you lose it or suspect fraud.

To use online or mobile banking, you create a username and password when you open your account. Chase also offers additional security features like two-factor authentication, which requires you to enter a code sent to your phone before you can log in from a new device.

Overdraft protection and what happens if you overspend

If you try to spend more money than you have in your checking account, Chase can either decline the transaction (so it does not go through) or allow it and charge you an overdraft fee, usually around $35 per transaction. This depends on whether you have overdraft protection turned on. By default, Chase allows overdrafts on debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals, but you can turn this off if you prefer to have transactions declined instead.

Some Chase checking accounts also offer overdraft line of credit, which is a small loan that automatically covers overdrafts. This costs less than an overdraft fee, but you have to repay the borrowed amount. Ask Chase about this option when you open your account or call them later to ask if you are may be able to access.

Different types of Chase checking accounts

Chase offers several checking account options for different situations. Chase Total Checking is the most common account and waives the monthly fee if you set up direct deposit or maintain a $500 minimum balance. Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for people with higher balances and offers benefits like higher interest rates and fee waivers for other Chase services. Chase Student Checking is for people under 24 and has no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.

Chase find Banking is designed for people who are new to banking or rebuilding credit — it has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no overdraft fees, but it does not come with a debit card (you use a prepaid card instead). Compare these options based on your situation: if you get a regular paycheck, Total Checking is usually the best choice. If you are a student, Student Checking saves you money. If you are new to banking or have had banking problems, find Banking may be a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase checking account if I do not have a Social Security number?

Chase requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open a checking account. If you do not have either, you may not be able to open an account at Chase. Some other banks offer accounts for people without a Social Security number, so you may want to call your local Chase branch to ask about alternatives.

What happens if I close my Chase checking account?

You can close your account by visiting a Chase branch, calling them, or using their website. Chase will send any remaining balance to you by check or transfer it to another account you specify. Make sure to close the account only after all your checks have cleared and all your automatic payments have been switched to another account, which usually takes a few weeks.

Is my money safe in a Chase checking account?

Yes. Chase checking accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per account. This means if Chase fails, the federal government will reimburse you for your deposits up to that limit. This protection applies to most checking accounts at most banks.

Can I have more than one checking account at Chase?

Yes, you can open multiple checking accounts at Chase. Some people do this to separate money for different purposes — one account for bills, one for savings goals, one for a business. Each account is insured separately up to $250,000 by the FDIC, so your total protection increases if you have multiple accounts.

What is the difference between a checking account and a savings account?

A checking account is designed for money you use regularly — you can write unlimited checks and make unlimited debit card purchases. A savings account is designed for money you want to keep and grow — it usually earns interest (a small amount of money the bank pays you for letting them use your money), but limits how many times per month you can withdraw money. Most people have both: a checking account for everyday spending and a savings account for emergencies or goals.