Chase offers four main checking accounts, and the right one depends on how you bank and what fees matter to you
Chase has four checking accounts you can open: Chase Total Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, and Chase First Banking. The differences come down to monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and what perks you get. There is no single "best" account — the best one is the one that matches how you actually use a checking account.
The most common choice for people new to banking or returning to it is Chase Total Checking. It has no monthly fee if you keep a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit. If you do neither, the fee is $12 a month. You get a debit card, online banking, and access to Chase's ATM network. For most people, the direct deposit requirement is straightforward to meet — that just means your paycheck or benefits deposit straight into the account.
If you want to avoid the minimum balance entirely, Chase First Banking is designed for that. It has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no direct deposit requirement. The trade-off is that it comes with fewer features: no overdraft protection, lower ATM withdrawal limits, and you cannot link it to other Chase accounts. This account works well if you want something straightforward and low-pressure while you build your banking habits.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 balance or set up direct deposit, making it the most accessible option for regular banking.
- Chase First Banking charges no monthly fee and has no minimum balance, but comes with fewer features and lower withdrawal limits.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking are designed for people who keep larger balances or want investment and credit card rewards tied to their checking.
- The best account for you depends on whether you can meet a minimum balance, whether you receive direct deposit, and what other Chase products you use.
- You can open a Chase checking account online, by phone, or in a branch, and you can change accounts later if your needs shift.
Understanding the fee structure for each account
Monthly fees are the first thing to understand because they directly affect how much money stays in your account. Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month unless you meet one of two conditions: keep $500 in the account at all times, or have a direct deposit of any amount hit the account each month. Direct deposit is the easier path for most people because the balance requirement is zero once direct deposit is active.
Chase First Banking has no monthly fee under any circumstance. There is no balance requirement, no direct deposit requirement, nothing. The reason it is free is that it is simpler — you cannot overdraft, you cannot link it to savings accounts, and your ATM withdrawal limit is $500 per day instead of the standard $1,000. If you are just starting out or want a low-stakes account, this simplicity can be an advantage.
Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking both waive their monthly fees if you keep a higher balance — usually $15,000 or more — or if you have other Chase products like a savings account, investment account, or credit card. These accounts are built for people who already have money moving through Chase and want to consolidate it. If you do not meet the balance requirement and do not have other Chase products, you will pay a monthly fee on these accounts.
What direct deposit means and why it matters
Direct deposit means your paycheck, benefits payment, or other regular income goes straight into your bank account instead of arriving as a paper check. You set it up once by giving your employer or benefits administrator your account number and routing number — both printed on the bottom of your checks or visible in your online banking.
For Chase Total Checking, direct deposit is one of two ways to avoid the $12 monthly fee. It does not have to be a large amount — even a small regular deposit counts. If you receive unemployment benefits, Social Security, a pension, or a paycheck, that all counts as direct deposit. If you do not receive any regular income this way, you can keep the $500 minimum balance instead.
Direct deposit also matters because it is how many employers and government programs send money fastest. A paper check can take days to clear; direct deposit usually hits your account the same day or the next business day. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, that speed can matter.
Comparing Chase Total Checking and Chase First Banking side by side
These two accounts are the ones most people choose between. Here is what separates them:
| Feature | Chase Total Checking | Chase First Banking |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $12, waived with $500 balance or direct deposit | $0, always |
| Minimum balance to avoid fee | $500 | None |
| Direct deposit required | No — it is one option to waive the fee | No |
| Overdraft protection | Yes, if you link a savings account | No |
| ATM withdrawal limit per day | $1,000 | $500 |
| Debit card | Yes | Yes |
| Online and mobile banking | Yes | Yes |
Choose Chase Total Checking if you can keep $500 in the account or receive direct deposit. Choose Chase First Banking if you want zero fees and do not need overdraft protection or high daily withdrawal limits.
When to choose Chase Premier Plus or Chase Sapphire Checking
Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking are for people who already have money with Chase or plan to keep a large balance. Premier Plus requires a $15,000 minimum balance to waive the monthly fee. Sapphire is tied to Chase's investment and credit card products — you get fee waivers if you have a Sapphire credit card or certain investment accounts.
These accounts come with perks like higher interest rates on the balance you keep, priority customer service, and fee waivers on things like wire transfers. But you only benefit from these perks if you actually have the money to keep there or the other Chase products to link. For someone opening their first checking account, these are not the right choice.
How to open a Chase checking account
You can open a Chase checking account three ways: online at chase.com, by phone at 1-800-935-9935, or in a Chase branch. Online is usually fastest — you can complete it in 10 to 15 minutes if you have your Social Security number, a government ID, and a current address ready.
When you open an account, Chase will ask for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and employment information. They will also run a background check through ChexSystems, which is a banking history report. If you have had problems with a bank account before — overdrafts you did not pay back, fraud, or other issues — this check might flag it. Chase will tell you if there is a problem before you finish opening the account.
Once your account is open, you can set up direct deposit by giving your employer or benefits administrator your account number and routing number. You can find both in your online banking or on any check you order. Direct deposit usually takes one to two pay cycles to set up.
What happens if you change your mind later
You are not locked into whichever account you choose. If you open Chase Total Checking and later decide you want Chase First Banking, you can switch. You can also open a second account if you want to keep both — some people use one for bills and one for savings.
To switch accounts, call Chase customer service or visit a branch. They can move your direct deposit and automatic payments to a new account for you. You can close the old account once everything is moved, or keep it open if you want the flexibility.
The account you choose now does not have to be permanent. Your banking needs change — you might start receiving direct deposit, or you might build up savings and want to move to an account with better interest rates. Chase makes it straightforward to adjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a minimum balance to open a Chase checking account?
No. You can open any Chase checking account with $0. The minimum balance requirement only matters if you want to avoid the monthly fee on Chase Total Checking — you either keep $500 in the account or set up direct deposit instead.
What is the difference between Chase Total Checking and Chase First Banking?
Chase Total Checking charges $12 per month unless you keep $500 or have direct deposit. Chase First Banking charges nothing, ever, but has lower ATM withdrawal limits ($500 per day instead of $1,000) and no overdraft protection. Choose Total if you can meet the fee waiver conditions; choose First if you want zero fees and do not need those features.
Can I use my Chase debit card at ATMs outside the Chase network?
Yes, but you will usually pay a fee. Chase does not charge you, but the other bank's ATM will. Chase has thousands of ATMs nationwide, so using a Chase ATM is usually free and straightforward. Check the Chase app or website to find ATMs near you.
How long does it take to set up direct deposit?
Setting up direct deposit takes a few minutes — you just give your employer or benefits administrator your account and routing number. The first deposit usually hits your account within one to two pay cycles, depending on when your employer processes payroll.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
Chase requires a Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to open a checking account. If you do not have either, you will need to contact Chase directly to discuss your options, as requirements can vary by state and situation.