Chase's main service categories
Chase operates as a retail bank, investment firm, and credit card issuer. The services you can actually use depend on whether you walk into a branch, go online, or call — and what you're trying to do. Most people know Chase for checking and savings accounts, but the bank also handles mortgages, auto loans, investment accounts, and credit cards under its own brand and several others it owns.
The confusion usually starts because Chase owns multiple brands. Chase Bank is the retail and commercial banking side. Chase Investment Services handles brokerage accounts. And Chase Credit Card Services runs cards under the Chase, Sapphire, and Freedom names, plus co-branded cards with airlines and hotels. A single Chase customer might use three or four of these without realizing they're all the same company.
What matters for your situation is that Chase does not offer every service a bank might. It does not do payday loans, title loans, or pawn services. It does not offer personal lines of credit in most states. And while it has mortgage and auto lending, those products have specific requirements and are not available to everyone.
Key Takeaways
- Chase offers checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and investment accounts, but not all products are available in every state or to every customer.
- Chase owns multiple brands including Sapphire, Freedom, and various co-branded cards, so you may be using a Chase product without realizing it.
- Chase does not offer payday loans, personal lines of credit in most states, or short-term lending products.
- Approval for mortgages, auto loans, and investment accounts depends on credit history, income, and other factors that vary by product.
Checking and savings accounts
Chase offers several checking account types: Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, and Chase Premier Plus Checking. Each has different monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and benefits. Total Checking is the most basic option. Sapphire and Premier Plus come with higher fees but also higher interest rates on savings and additional perks like fee waivers or travel credits.
Savings accounts at Chase include Chase Savings, Chase Sapphire Savings, and Chase Premier Plus Savings. Interest rates vary by account type and change based on the Federal Reserve's rate decisions. You can open these accounts online, by phone, or in a branch. Chase also offers money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs), which lock your money away for a set period in exchange for a may provide interest rate.
All Chase deposit accounts come with FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per account type per depositor. This means if Chase fails, your money is protected by the federal government up to that limit. If you have multiple accounts at Chase (checking, savings, money market), each is insured separately.
Credit cards
Chase issues credit cards under several brands. The Chase Freedom and Chase Sapphire lines are the most common. Freedom cards offer cash back on rotating categories. Sapphire cards focus on travel rewards and come with higher annual fees but also higher benefits like travel insurance and airport lounge access.
Chase also issues co-branded cards with airlines (United, Southwest, American) and hotel chains (Hyatt, Marriott). These cards earn points in the partner's loyalty program and often come with perks like free checked bags or room upgrades. Approval depends on your credit score, income, and existing Chase accounts. Chase publishes no minimum credit score requirement, but most cardholders have scores of 670 or higher.
Credit card applications are processed online or in branches. Decisions usually come within minutes for online applications. If you're denied, Chase will tell you why and may offer you a different card product instead. You can request reconsideration by phone if you believe the decision was wrong.
Mortgages and home loans
Chase offers conventional mortgages, FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans. Conventional mortgages are the most common and require a down payment of 3% to 20%. FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment and are backed by the Federal Housing Administration. VA loans are for military members and veterans and often require no down payment. USDA loans are for rural properties and also often require no down payment.
Mortgage approval depends on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and the property itself. Chase requires a minimum credit score of 620 for most mortgages, though better rates go to borrowers with scores above 740. You will need to provide pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and a property appraisal. The process typically takes 30 to 45 days from process to closing.
Chase also offers home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans if you already own a home and have built equity. These let you borrow against the value of your home. Rates and terms vary based on your equity, credit, and the current market.
Auto loans
Chase auto loans are available for new and used vehicles. You can explore online, by phone, or in a branch. Chase will finance vehicles up to a certain age and mileage, depending on whether the car is new or used. The interest rate you receive depends on your credit score, the loan term, and the vehicle's value.
You do not have to buy the car from a Chase-affiliated dealer. You can get pre-approved for a loan amount, then use that approval at any dealership. Pre-approval is free and does not affect your credit score. If you already have a loan with another lender, Chase can refinance it, though refinancing does require a hard credit inquiry.
Auto loan approval typically takes one to three business days. You will need proof of income, a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance before the loan closes. Chase requires that you carry comprehensive and collision insurance on any financed vehicle.
Investment and brokerage accounts
Chase Investment Services offers brokerage accounts where you can buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can open a standard taxable brokerage account, an individual retirement account (IRA), or a 401(k) rollover account. Chase also offers managed portfolios where an advisor builds and maintains a portfolio for you based on your goals and risk tolerance.
Brokerage accounts at Chase have no account minimums, though managed portfolios typically require $25,000 or more. Trading commissions are zero for stocks and ETFs. Mutual funds may carry expense ratios that vary by fund. You can manage accounts online or work with a financial advisor in a branch.
Chase also offers financial planning services through its advisors. These services are free for customers with certain account balances or Chase credit cards. More detailed planning may come with a fee. Investment accounts are not FDIC insured, meaning if Chase fails, your investments are not protected by federal insurance — though they are held in your name and would be transferred to another firm.
Business banking and merchant services
Chase offers business checking and savings accounts, business credit cards, and merchant services (payment processing). Business accounts require an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number and proof of business ownership. Fees and features vary by account type and business size.
Merchant services let you accept credit and debit card payments in person, online, or by phone. Chase charges a percentage of each transaction plus a monthly fee. Rates depend on your industry, transaction volume, and processing method. You can explore online or speak with a Chase business banker.
Chase also offers business loans, lines of credit, and equipment financing, though these products have stricter requirements and longer approval timelines than personal loans.
What Chase does not offer
Chase does not offer payday loans, title loans, or other short-term lending products. It does not offer personal lines of credit in most states — you would need to use a personal loan or credit card instead. Chase does not offer peer-to-peer lending, cryptocurrency accounts, or insurance products directly, though it partners with third parties for some of these services.
Chase also does not offer checking or savings accounts for minors under 18 without a parent or guardian. It does not offer accounts for non-U.S. residents without a U.S. address and tax identification number. And while Chase has branches in most states, it does not have physical locations everywhere — in some areas, you can only bank online or by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase account online without visiting a branch?
Yes. Most Chase checking and savings accounts can be opened entirely online. You will need a valid government ID, Social Security Number, and an initial deposit. Some account types or situations may require a branch visit, but Chase will tell you during the online process if that applies to you.
Does Chase offer personal loans?
Chase does not offer traditional personal loans in most states. You can use a Chase credit card for smaller amounts or a home equity loan if you own a home. Some customers may be offered a personal line of credit through their online banking portal, but this is not a standard product.
What is the difference between Chase Sapphire and Chase Freedom cards?
Freedom cards earn cash back on rotating categories like groceries and gas. Sapphire cards earn points on travel and dining and come with travel insurance and airport lounge access. Sapphire cards have annual fees; most Freedom cards do not. Which is better depends on whether you travel frequently and how much you spend on dining.
Can I get a Chase mortgage if my credit score is below 620?
Chase's stated minimum is 620, but approval is not may provide at that score. Lenders also look at your debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and down payment amount. If you are denied, ask Chase why and consider working with a mortgage broker who works with multiple lenders, some of which accept lower scores.
Are my investments at Chase protected if the bank fails?
Investment accounts are not FDIC insured. However, securities held in a brokerage account are held in your name and would be transferred to another firm if Chase failed. Deposit accounts (checking, savings) are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per account type.