Chase checking accounts have no opening deposit requirement

You can open a Chase checking account with zero dollars. Chase does not require a minimum deposit to start the account, and there is no fee to open one. You can fund it later, or not at all if you only want the account number for direct deposit purposes.

What matters more than the opening deposit is what happens after. Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee on most checking accounts unless you meet one of their waiver conditions. That fee ranges from $12 to $15 per month depending on the account type, but you can avoid it by keeping a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or maintaining a linked savings account.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase does not charge to open a checking account and does not require money upfront to create one.
  • Most Chase checking accounts charge $12 to $15 monthly unless you waive the fee by direct deposit, a minimum balance, or linking a savings account.
  • The Chase Total Checking account is the most common option and waives its $12 monthly fee if you receive direct deposit or maintain a $500 minimum balance.
  • Overdraft fees and out-of-network ATM fees explore separately and can add up quickly if you are not careful.
  • You can open an account online, by phone, or in a branch, and the process takes about 10 minutes.

Monthly fees and how to avoid them

Chase's main checking account is called Chase Total Checking, and it charges $12 per month. You can waive this fee in three ways: receive a direct deposit of any amount, keep a $500 minimum daily balance, or link a Chase savings account to it. If you do none of these, you pay $12 every month.

Chase also offers Chase Premier Plus Checking, which costs $25 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $25,000 minimum balance or set up direct deposit. This account is aimed at people with higher balances and comes with extra perks like higher interest rates and fee waivers on certain services.

If you want to avoid monthly fees entirely without meeting balance or direct deposit requirements, Chase does not offer a truly free checking account. Your only option is to meet one of the waiver conditions, even if it means linking a savings account you do not actively use.

Other costs beyond the monthly fee

Opening the account is free, but using it can cost money in other ways. Chase charges $34 per overdraft transaction if you spend more than your balance. If you overdraft multiple times in one day, each transaction triggers a separate fee. You can set up overdraft protection by linking a savings account, which transfers money instead of charging a fee.

Using an ATM outside the Chase network costs $3 per withdrawal. Chase has thousands of ATMs nationwide, but if you travel or live far from a branch, this adds up. Some checking accounts come with ATM fee reimbursement, but Chase Total Checking does not.

Wire transfers, cashier's checks, and stop payments each carry their own fees, typically $15 to $30. These are not automatic costs — you only pay them if you use these services.

How to open an account with no money

You can open a Chase checking account online at chase.com, by calling 1-800-935-9935, or by walking into a branch. Online is the fastest route and takes about 10 minutes. You will need a Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and a current address. You do not need to deposit money during the opening process.

If you open online, Chase will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or uploading a photo of your ID. Once approved, your account number appears when ready, and you can use it for direct deposit right away. A debit card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If you open in a branch, bring your ID and Social Security number. The banker can fund the account from another bank account if you want, but it is not required. You can leave with nothing in the account and fund it later through direct deposit, a transfer from another bank, or a mobile check deposit.

Minimum balance requirements and how they work

Chase Total Checking waives its $12 monthly fee if you keep a $500 minimum daily balance. This means your balance cannot drop below $500 on any single day of the month. If it does, you owe the fee for that month. The balance resets each month, so you do not need to maintain $500 forever — just during each calendar month.

The $500 requirement is lower than many other banks, but it still locks up money you might otherwise spend. If you cannot comfortably keep $500 in the account, direct deposit is the easier path to waiving the fee. Even a single paycheck counts, so if you have any income deposited to the account, the fee disappears.

Direct deposit as a fee waiver

Direct deposit is the easiest way to waive Chase's monthly fee. You do not need a large paycheck — even a small recurring deposit counts. Some people set up direct deposit of their tax refund or a side gig payment once a year and that is enough to waive the fee for the entire year.

If you do not have traditional employment, you can set up direct deposit from Social Security, unemployment benefits, a pension, or gig work through apps like DoorDash or Instacart. Chase does not specify a minimum amount, so technically any recurring deposit should work, though the bank may require it to be regular.

To set up direct deposit, you give your employer or benefit provider your Chase account number and routing number. Chase's routing number is 021000021 for most accounts. Once set up, the deposit hits your account automatically, and the fee waiver applies when ready.

Comparing Chase to other banks

Chase Total Checking's $12 monthly fee is in the middle range. Bank of America charges $12 for its basic checking account, Wells Fargo charges $10, and Citibank charges $10. Some online banks like Ally and Charles Schwab offer checking accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance, though they may have fewer physical branches.

Chase's advantage is its branch and ATM network — over 4,700 branches and 16,000 ATMs nationwide. If you value in-person banking or frequent ATM access, that network is worth the monthly fee. If you bank primarily online and do not need branches, a no-fee online bank may save you money.

Chase also offers student checking accounts with no monthly fee for people under 25, and some employers offer Chase accounts with fee waivers as an employee benefit. Check whether either applies to you before paying the standard monthly fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase checking account with no money and no job?

Yes. Chase does not require an opening deposit or proof of income to open an account. You will need a government ID and Social Security number. To waive the monthly fee without direct deposit, you must keep a $500 minimum balance.

What happens if I open an account and never use it?

Chase will charge you $12 per month unless you meet a fee waiver condition. If the account sits unused for a long time, Chase may close it, but they will not charge you for inactivity alone. The monthly fee is the only ongoing cost if you do nothing with the account.

Do I need a minimum balance to open the account, or only to avoid the fee?

You need zero dollars to open the account. The $500 minimum balance is only required if you want to waive the monthly fee without direct deposit. You can open with nothing and fund it later.

Can I waive the monthly fee by linking a savings account if I have no money in either?

Yes. Linking a Chase savings account waives the checking fee even if both accounts are empty. The savings account itself may have its own monthly fee, so check the terms before linking.

How long does it take to open an account online?

About 10 minutes. You answer identity verification questions, provide your address and Social Security number, and choose your account settings. Your account number appears when ready, though your debit card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail.