How To Open a Chase Checking Account
Written by
Kim Olson
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
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Chase is the commercial banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. According to its website, the bank provides personal banking services, credit cards, mortgages and other financial services to millions of customers.
If you’re interested in opening a Chase checking account, you can open one in a few minutes on the bank’s website or in a local branch. Here’s how:
How To Open a Chase Checking Account
By following a few easy steps, you can open a new checking account in just a few minutes.
Gather the Required Items and Information
Here’s what you’ll need to open your account:
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license or state-issued ID
- Contact information, including your name, address, email address and phone number
- Note: If you are opening a joint account, both you and the co-account holder need to provide this information.
Choose a Checking Account
Chase offers several different checking account options. Preview them by going to the Chase website, then click the “Open Now” button for the account you want to open.
Fill Out an Online Application
If you are a current Chase customer, you can sign in to your account and use a prefilled application to open a new account. If you are not a current Chase customer, complete and submit the online application.
Fund the Account
Chase does not require a deposit to open an account. But you’ll have to fund the account before you can use it. You can do that by transferring money from another bank, setting up direct deposit for your paychecks, mobile-depositing checks, recieving a payment via Zelle or depositing checks or cash at a Chase branch.
Can You Apply in Person?
If you don’t want to open an account online, you can always visit the nearest Chase branch to open a checking account and do your banking in person. You’ll need to provide the same information and documents outlined in the steps listed above.
If you want to open a joint account, applying in person is the only option. You and the co-account holder must schedule a meeting to talk to a Chase banker.
Chase Checking Account Options
Chase offers several checking account options to choose from. To determine which Chase checking account is right for you, review the details on each and note the key differences.
Chase Total Checking®
The Chase Total Checking account offers access to 15,000 ATMs and more than 4,700 branches, as well as debit-card chip technology protection and 24/7 customer service. You also get online bill pay and mobile banking.
There is a monthly service fee of $12 for this account. However, Chase waives the monthly service fee if you meet requirements for direct deposit, minimum daily balance and/or beginning day balance.
Chase Secure Banking℠
Chase Secure Banking provides the services you need from a checking account. In addition to access to more than 15,000 ATMs and online banking services, this account comes with a fee waiver for counter checks and money orders.
There is a fixed monthly fee of $4.95, which Chase waives if you make at least $250 worth of electronic deposits into the account each statement period.
Chase Premier Plus Checking℠
This interest-bearing account offers priority service to customers, who get access to all Chase Total Checking benefits. Account holders also get free checks and fees waived at non-Chase ATM transactions up to four times per statement period.
Premier Plus account holders get other perks, like a Chase First Banking account for children and no fees for paper checks. Chase allows you to have up to two Chase Personal Plus Checking accounts, and your Chase savings account is fee-free when you link it to Premier Plus Checking. You can waive the $25 monthly fee by meeting certain requirements.
Chase Student Checking
Chase offers three different accounts to meet students’ needs:
- Chase First Banking℠: Best for ages six to 12 but available to children ages six to 17
- Chase High School Checking℠: Available to students ages 13 to 17
- Chase College Checking℠: Available to students ages 17 to 24
To open a Chase First Banking account, the child’s parent or guardian must have a qualifying Chase checking account. There is no monthly fee for this account. It comes with a debit card and access to Chase branches and ATMs.
Chase High School Checking and Chase College Checking accounts offer more services — namely access to online and mobile banking. There is a monthly fee for Chase College Checking, but this can be waived.
Chase First Banking and Chase High School Checking accounts must be opened at a branch. Seventeen-year-olds must visit a branch to open a Chase College Checking account.
Chase’s Monthly Account Fees
Not all Chase checking accounts have monthly service fees, but those that do charge anywhere from $4.95 to $25. Some of these fees can be waived if you meet certain criteria. You can also get hit with fees for using non-Chase ATMs, replacing cards or making purchases outside the U.S.
You can avoid monthly service fees by maintaining minimum balance requirements, receiving qualifying direct deposits or linking your account to your Chase mortgage. Your deposit account agreement provides specific instructions on how to avoid fees on your account.
What Is the Minimum Balance for Chase Checking Accounts?
There is no minimum balance required to open a Chase checking account.
One of the ways to avoid service fees on some accounts is to maintain a minimum balance. Here are the requirements for those accounts:
- Chase Total Checking: $500 in electronic deposits each statement period or $1,500 beginning daily balance or $5,000 combined balance in this account and linked qualifying deposits or investments
- Chase Secure Banking: $250 in electronic deposits each statement period
- Chase Premier Plus Checking: Average beginning daily balance of at least $15,000 in any combination of this account and linked qualifying deposit or investment accounts, or a Chase first mortgage enrolled in auto payments from the account, or account ownership by a military servicemember or veteran with military ID.
- Chase College Checking: $500 in electronic deposits per statement period or average ending day balance of at least $5,000 in this account
Should You Open a Chase Checking Account?
If you’re thinking of opening a bank account, take a closer look at what Chase has to offer. It gives you the benefits of a national bank, including a broad selection of checking, savings and CD accounts, plus access to thousands of local branches and ATMs across the country. Chase also offers a variety of services, such as mortgages, loans and credit cards.
Chase frequently offers promotions to attract new customers, and you might be able to snag a lucrative cash bonus just for opening a new account. Check out the latest Chase promotions before you choose a new account.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about opening a Chase checking account.- How much do you need to open a Chase checking account?
- There is no minimum opening deposit required to open a Chase checking account.
- Does Chase give you $200 for opening an account?
- Chase often has new checking bonus for customers who don't already have a Chase checking account. Once you open the account, you'll need to complete the required activities, such as setting up a direct deposit within the first 90 days, to qualify for the bonus.
- Is it free to open a Chase checking account?
- Yes. It is free to open a checking account at Chase, and no minimum deposit is required.
- Can you open a Chase account online?
- Yes. You can open most Chase checking accounts online, but student accounts, including Chase College checking, must be opened in person when the child is age 17 or younger.
- What is the minimum balance to open a Chase account?
- There is no minimum required to open a Chase checking account.
Daria Uhlig contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of April 19, 2024.
The information related to Chase Total Checking, Chase Secure Banking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase First Banking, Chase High School Checking and Chase College Checking was collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of these products. Product details may vary. Please see the issuer’s website for current information. GOBankingRates does not receive commission for these products.
This article has been updated with additional reporting since its original publication.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by Chase. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Chase.
