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If you need a new checking account, Chase Bank may be a good choice. Find out more in this Chase checking account review.
We’ll cover:
Chase Bank offers a comprehensive slate of products, including checking and savings, investment accounts and credit cards. While Chase isn’t known for free checking options, almost anyone can find a Chase checking account type that works for them. Because Chase is a physical bank, it can be a good option for individuals and businesses that want a checking account they can use across the country with some assurances of being near a local branch.
We’ve summarized some Chase checking account options below. Fees, bonus offers and other terms reflect information published by Chase Bank as of March 2024.
This is Chase’s standard checking option. It is a good choice for everyday personal use for individuals and families. There’s a monthly fee, but you can avoid it easily by setting up direct deposit.
Key account information
While this is the only checking account on this list without an option to waive the monthly fee, it also has the lowest monthly fee. The lack of overdraft and money order fees makes this a potentially good second-chance checking option.
Key account information
With a Premier Plus Checking account, you won’t pay for money orders, cashier’s checks or counter checks, making this a good option for individuals who want easy, low-cost access to different types of payment mechanisms. This is also a good account for military members or qualifying veterans, as they won’t pay the monthly maintenance fee.
Key account information
This is a good checking account for Chase loyalists, as you can link other accounts to it to qualify for a fee waiver. Account holders may also get higher limits for Zelle, mobile deposits and ATM transactions.
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Private Client Checking account holders get access to a dedicated team at Chase that can help you with building and managing your wealth. You might consider this account if you want a user-friendly checking account with options for building out other investments.
Key account information
As a well-established national bank, any Chase checking account you choose is likely to provide benefits such as:
Chase doesn’t offer any free accounts, but you can waive Chase Bank monthly service fees on all accounts other than the Secure Checking account. Other fees do apply, but they vary for each account.
Chase checking account fee comparison
| Fee Type | Chase Total Checking® | Chase Secure Checking℠ | Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ | Chase Sapphire℠ Checking | Chase Private Client Checking℠ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly service fee | $12 if you don’t meet electronic or balance minimum requirements | $4.95 | $25, unless you meet balance requirements, have a linked Chase mortgage account or are a service member or veteran of the armed forces | $25 for balances under $75,000 | $35 for balances under $150,000, unless you have a linked Chase Platinum Business Checking℠ account |
| Non-Chase ATM fee | $3 to $5 | $3 to $5 | None for the first 4 each statement period and $3 to $5 after that | None | None |
| Non-ATM cash fee | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater | $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater | None | None |
| Overdraft fee | $34 | None | $34 | None for 4 days each year; $34 per overdraft after that | None for 4 days each year; $34 per overdraft after that |
| Card replacement rush fee | $5 | $5 | $5 | None | None |
| Counter check fee | $3 per page of checks | $3 per page of checks | None | None | None |
| Money order fee | $5 each | None | None | None | None |
| Cashier’s check fees | $10 | None | None | None | None |
| Legal processing fees | Up to $100 | Up to $100 | Up to $100 | None | None |
| Consumer online USD international wire fee | $0 to $50 | $0 to $50 | $0 to $50 | None | None |
| Consumer online FX international wire fee | $0 to $50 | $0 to $50 | $0 to $50 | None | None |
| Stop payment fee | $30 | $30 | $30 | None | None |
| Online or automated phone stop payment fee | $25 | $25 | $25 | None | None |
| Order for checks or supplies fee | Varies depending on the order | Varies depending on the order | None on Chase design checks when ordered through Chase | None on Chase design checks when ordered through Chase | None on personal style checks when ordered through Chase |
The best checking account depends on which one meets your financial preferences and needs. First, is Chase Bank a good bank for you? If the reason you’re considering Chase is access to a local branch, for instance, make sure that there are branches in your town.
While there’s no minimum balance for opening a Chase checking account, how much you keep in your account can make a difference in monthly costs. If you keep a high balance in your checking regularly, you might choose a Sapphire or Premier Plus account, as you can avoid other types of fees with those.
If you don’t keep a high average checking balance, you can still drop the monthly fee with a Chase Total Checking account as long as you have more than $500 in direct deposits. Full-time employees will likely find this easy to accomplish.
You can open a Chase checking account at a local branch or online. To open an individual or joint checking account, each potential account holder will need a government-issued photo ID. The checking account application requires your full name, a Social Security or tax ID number, residential address and contact information. Generally, you’ll need to be 18 to open your own checking account. However, many banks, including Chase, offer teen checking accounts to give teenagers experience in managing their own money, with the help of a parent or guardian.
You will also need a way to fund your new account. You can do that with cash or a check if you are setting up the account in person. If you’re setting up an account online, you can fund it with a debit or credit card from another account or an ACH transfer.
Chase offers checking accounts other than the ones listed in this guide. Other options include checking accounts for students and kids, as well as business checking accounts.
There is a Chase Bank monthly fee for all accounts. While Chase doesn’t offer free accounts, you can waive the monthly fee on most accounts by meeting one or more requirements.
There is no Chase minimum balance checking requirement. However, some accounts have average balance thresholds you have to meet to waive a monthly fee.
Chase offers welcome bonuses on several of its checking accounts. You must be a new Chase customer to earn these bonuses.
Chase is a well-known bank with thousands of branches across the country. It’s FDIC-insured and offers numerous types of deposit, investment and credit accounts.
Chase checking account fees vary by account but can include monthly maintenance, overdraft and ATM fees. You might also pay fees for counter checks, wire transfers, money orders and other transactions. If you’re looking for a checking account without fees, the Amex Rewards checking account may be a better option.
Sarah Stasik is well versed in personal finance thanks to her previous role as a Revenue Cycle Manager for a Fortune 500 healthcare company. Using her inside knowledge and expertise, Sarah often covers topics ranging from insurance and the economics of private healthcare to personal finance and small business management.
Over the past 12 years, Sarah has contributed to numerous publications in the personal and small business finance sector, including content on budgeting, bankruptcy, small business accounting, and financial tech. Her writing focuses on making complex or seemingly daunting financial topics more accessible and providing helpful, relevant resources for readers.
