Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
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By
Catherine Collins
Catherine Collins
Contributor
Catherine Collins is an award-winning freelance writer and author of the book Mom’s Got Money. Her writing and expertise have been featured in dozens of media outlets, including Good Morning America, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report and more. She is the co-host of the Five Year You podcast and a proud mom of twins.
Read Catherine Collins's full bio
Reviewed By
Kristy Snyder
Kristy Snyder
Banking Expert
Kristy is a freelance contributor to Newsweek’s personal finance team. As an editor, Kristy has worked with sites like Bankrate, JPMorgan Chase and NextAdvisor to craft and hone content on banking, credit cards and loans. She’s also written for publications such as Forbes Advisor and U.S. News and World. In her spare time, Kristy loves traveling, hitting up rail trails and reading.
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Chase Bank is the largest bank in the country and one of the oldest. It currently has $2.6 trillion in assets under management and over 250,000 employees. It also has many different checking account options. This guide to Chase Bank checking accounts shares the pros and cons of each of the eight available Chase personal checking accounts.
Our Methodology
Newsweek Vault’s banking experts have done hundreds of hours of research to present you with all the latest information about your banking options. Whether you’re interested in opening a new checking account or savings account, our research spans all the top online banks, credit unions and brick-and-mortar branches.
We assessed the following five key factors to help you choose the best account for your personal finance needs.
- Associated fees
- ATM access
- Balance requirements
- Customer service
- Interest-earning potential
Vault’s Viewpoint
- Chase Bank has eight personal checking account options for consumers.
- Most checking accounts at Chase charge a monthly fee that can be waived if customers meet specific criteria.
- Chase regularly offers bonuses when new customers sign up for an account.
Chase Bank Checking Account Options
Chase is not only the largest bank in the United States by assets but also has the largest branch network, with over 4,700 branches and over 15,000 ATMs.
In a world trending more toward online banking and fewer brick-and-mortar locations, Chase is the only bank to have branches in all lower 48 states. It also has a highly rated mobile app and is ranked second in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. National Banking Satisfaction Study.
If you prefer a bank with many branches and a top-rated app, here is more information about Chase’s checking account options.
Chase Total Checking®
Vault Verified
Bonus: New Chase checking customers can enjoy a $300 bonus when they open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities (offer expires 10/16/2024)
Who Is This Best For?
Chase Total Checking® is Chase Bank’s most popular account. It’s perfect for a consumer who wants a basic checking account with a few perks. This checking account gives customers access to thousands of ATMs and bank branches, and customers also get to use the Chase app to manage their money. This account would be best for someone who can avoid the monthly fee with one of the following each monthly statement period:
- Electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, such as payments from payroll providers or government benefit providers, by using (i) the ACH network, (ii) the Real Time Payment or FedNow℠ network, (iii) third party services that facilitate payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network,
- OR a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in this account,
- OR an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances
APY: None
Pros
- No minimum deposit to open
- Access to Zelle
- Chase online banking, online bill pay and Chase mobile banking
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠—no overdraft fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less*
- Zero liability protection
Cons
- Does not earn interest
- $12 monthly service fee if you don’t meet certain qualifications to waive
- There are other fees, such as stop payment fees, counter-check fees and legal processing fees, where applicable.
- No early direct deposit feature available
Chase Secure Banking℠
Vault Verified
Bonus: New Chase checking customers can enjoy a $100 checking account bonus when they open a Chase Secure Banking℠ account with qualifying transactions (offer expires 10/16/2024)
Who Is This Best For?
This checking account is best for people who want to avoid overdraft fees completely. With this account, Chase will decline charges if you don’t have enough in your account (rather than letting the purchase go through and charging you an overdraft fee). If you do have a negative balance, you won’t be charged an overdraft fee. It’s also helpful if customers have qualifying deposits totaling $250 or more each month because that’s how you can avoid this account’s $4.95 monthly fee.
APY: None
Pros
- No minimum deposit to open
- Set up direct deposit and you may get your money up to two business days early
- No fees for money orders and cashier’s checks
- Credit and identity monitoring for free through Chase Credit Journey®
- Budgeting tools
Cons
- No autosave or automatic transfers available
- No paper checks are available
- Does not earn interest
- $4.95 monthly service fee if you don’t meet qualification to waive
Chase Premier Plus Checking℠
Vault Verified
Who Is This Best For?
Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ is best for customers who maintain an average daily balance of $15,000 or more in this account and link qualifying deposits/investments because that’s one way to avoid the $25 monthly service fee. It’s also a good fit for customers with a qualifying first mortgage with Chase since linking your account and enrolling in automatic payments from your account will waive the monthly fee. Customers with kids might also appreciate this account since you can link it to Chase First Banking℠, a parent-owned account designed for kids.
APY: 0.01%
Pros
- No minimum deposit to open
- No fees for money orders and cashier’s checks
- No monthly fees on eligible Chase Savings accounts when linked
- No Chase fee at non-Chase ATMs for the first four non-Chase transactions per statement period (other fees may still apply)
Cons
- 0.01% APY is lower than many other checking accounts on the market
- $25 monthly service fee if you don’t meet one of the qualifications
- May pay stop payment fees, counter-check fees and legal processing fees
- No early direct deposit available
Chase First Banking℠
Vault Verified
Who Is This Best For?
The Chase First Banking℠ account is best for kids ages 6-12, although it’s available for kids up to 17 years old. It’s also best for kids whose parents have an eligible Chase account, as one is required to link to the account. Kids who want to learn how to manage money, use a debit card and start saving for their goals would also benefit from this account.
APY: None
Pros
- No minimum deposit to open
- Designed with kids in mind
- $0 monthly service fee with a qualifying checking account open
- Parental controls for allowance and spending limits
Cons
- Limited services available for online banking
- Can’t use Zelle
- No direct deposit
Chase High School Checking℠
Vault Verified
Who Is This Best For?
The Chase High School Checking℠ account is best for teenagers who want to manage their own money. This is not an account to earn money from chores or to get a recurring allowance. Rather, this account would be best for teenagers who have their first job, who want to deposit their checks and who want to take ownership of using the Chase Mobile app to manage their money.
APY: None
Pros
- No minimum deposit to open
- Monthly service fee is $0 with qualifying activities
- Chase QuickDeposit℠ and Direct Deposit
Cons
- Must open account in person at a branch
- Parents can’t set up a recurring allowance or assign chores
Chase College Checking℠
Vault Verified
Bonus: New Chase checking customers can enjoy $100 when they open a Chase College Checking℠ account and complete qualifying transactions (offer expires 10/16/2024)
Who Is This Best For?
The Chase College Checking℠ account is best for students aged 17-24 years old who want their own accounts. It’s especially beneficial if the account holder is in school, since Chase waives the monthly fee for students up to the graduation date provided at account opening (to a five years maximum). This account is also beneficial for college students who are interested in building their credit because they get free access to their score through Chase Credit Journey®.
APY: None
Pros
- No minimum deposit to open
- Access to Zelle
- Chase QuickDeposit℠ and Direct Deposit
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ eligibility*
Cons
- $12 monthly service fee if you don’t meet one of requirements after expected graduation date
- Certain students, like those who are 17, must apply at a branch
Chase Sapphire℠ Checking
Vault Verified
Who Is This Best For?
Chase Sapphire Banking would be best for a customer who wants a premium banking experience. It’s ideal for a customer who does not want to pay fees for wire transfers, stop payment fees or on overdrafts up to four days a year and who maintains a balance of $75,000 across their qualifying accounts.
APY: 0.01%
Pros
- No minimum deposit to open
- Dedicated 24/7 banking service line
- No fees on wire transfers and fewer overdraft fees
Cons
- Must have a balance of $75,000 in combination of qualifying accounts to avoid $25 monthly service fee
- Not a competitive standard APY
- Does not get discounted rates on home loans or auto loans
- No access to a private banker services or entertainment benefits
Chase Private Client Checking℠
Vault Verified
Bonus: Enjoy up to a $3,000 bonus when you open a new Chase Private Client Checking℠ account with qualifying activities (offer expires 10/16/2024)
Who Is This Best For?
Chase Private Client Checking℠ is for customers who maintain a high balance across their Chase accounts. It’s also great for customers who want to enjoy premium entertainment, like access to early ticket sales and premium seating at events. If a customer wants access to a private banker, Chase Private Client Checking℠ is the best account choice out of the options above for personalized service.
APY: 0.01% (effective as of 6/28/24)
Pros
- Entertainment benefits like access to certain lounges, early ticket sales, and special seating
- Work with a dedicated Chase Private Client Banker
- Get discounted rates on home loans and auto loans
Cons
- $35 monthly service fee applies unless meet one of options to waive
- $150,000 or more kept in combination of accounts as one of options to waive monthly service fee is a high amount
- Not a competitive standard APY
Alternatives to Chase Bank Checking Accounts
Chase Total Checking® vs Discover® Cashback Debit Checking
The Discover Cashback Debit Account is hard to beat because it offers 1% cash back every month up to $3,000, a rarity for debit cards. Additionally, Discover is a no-fee checking account.
The downside of Discover is that it doesn’t have a wide variety of accounts. For example, Discover doesn’t offer a teen or business account. Chase offers both. If you want to do all your banking and help your kids learn to manage money with their own accounts, Chase would be the better of these two accounts. However, if you want unique perks like a cash-back checking account, Discover would be the better choice.
Chase High School Checking℠ vs Capital One MONEY Teen Checking
The Chase High School Checking℠ account offers several perks, including access to Chase’s app, online bill pay and account alerts. Using Chase’s mobile app, teens can set money goals and track their progress. They’ll also get their own debit card that they can use with a digital wallet. If your teen has a job, they can set up direct deposit or take a picture of their paycheck and deposit it with their phones.
The Capital One Money Teen Checking Account is designed for teenagers to learn how to manage money. With Capital One, the bank account is fee-free. At Chase, students 13-17 at account opening have their parent/guardian with their own personal qualifying Chase checking account as a co-owner. Like Chase, Capital One’s Money Teen Checking accounts give kids a debit card, access to an app and parental controls.
The accounts are comparable, and it would be easiest to open one at the bank where you’re an existing customer.
Chase Private Client Checking℠ vs Citibank Citigold Checking
Chase Private Client Checking℠ and the Citibank Citigold Checking account are both premium checking accounts, meaning you get access to top-tier perks, but you also have to maintain a high balance.
Citibank Citigold relationship tier customers don’t pay fees on wire transfers, stop payments and more. Customers get access to a dedicated wealth team, an enhanced mobile experience and increased daily limits on purchases. There are also no foreign exchange fees when you use your card, and you get access to Citigold Lounges when you travel. To access this Citi relationship tier, you have to maintain a combined $200,000 monthly balance in total across your Citi accounts.
With Chase Private Client Checking℠, customers don’t pay everyday banking fees, and they get preferred rates on other Chase products, like auto rate discounts and invitations to events. You also get personalized investment guidance from a Chase Private Client Banker. If you maintain a $150,000 average or more across this account and your linked qualifying Chase deposits/investments or link a Chase Platinum Business Checking℠ account, you can waive the $35 monthly service fee.
If you prefer to keep a lower balance across your accounts, Chase might be a better choice for you, but if you travel frequently and want to enjoy perks like lounge access, Citibank has the edge.
*With Chase Overdraft Assist℠, Chase won’t charge an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Account to Open at Chase Bank?
The best account to open at Chase Bank depends on your personal needs and goals. For example, Chase Total Checking® might be the best fit if you want a basic checking account. However, Chase College Checking℠ might be better if you’re a college student. An account like Chase Sapphire℠ Checking might be better if you maintain a high checking account balance.
Does Chase Give You $300 for Opening an Account?
Chase frequently offers a bonus if you’re a new customer opening a checking account. However, bank bonuses can change or expire, and you often have to meet certain requirements to get them. So, if you want to earn a bonus when opening a new Chase checking account, read the terms closely, call or visit a branch to confirm the bonus is available while making sure you understand the steps needed to qualify.
How Do You Avoid Chase Monthly Fees?
Many Chase checking accounts come with a monthly maintenance fee. However, you can avoid these fees by meeting a few requirements. Each checking account has different criteria, but typically if you maintain a specific daily balance or have a certain amount of deposits each month, you can avoid the fees. Check your specific account requirements to find out the steps you need to take to have a banking experience free of monthly service fees.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Catherine Collins
Contributor
Catherine Collins is an award-winning freelance writer and author of the book Mom’s Got Money. Her writing and expertise have been featured in dozens of media outlets, including Good Morning America, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report and more. She is the co-host of the Five Year You podcast and a proud mom of twins.
Read more articles by Catherine Collins
