Look, nobody actually wants to pay to keep their own money in a bank. It feels wrong, right? But if you’re looking at a monthly fee for chase checking account, you already know the deal. Chase is a behemoth. They have the best app, branches on every corner, and ATMs that actually work when you need them. But that convenience usually comes with a price tag—unless you know exactly how to dodge it.
The good news? Almost every Chase account has a "trap door" that lets you skip the fee entirely. The bad news is that if you miss the requirements by even a dollar, you’re out $5 to $35 a month. That’s hundreds of dollars a year just for the privilege of having a plastic card in your wallet.
Let's break down what's actually happening with these fees right now.
The Standard Hit: Chase Total Checking
This is the "everyman" account. If you just walked into a branch and asked for a bank account, this is likely what they gave you.
The monthly fee for chase checking account (specifically the Total Checking tier) is currently $15.
Honestly, $15 is steep. That’s two streaming subscriptions or a decent lunch. To get that fee down to $0, you have to hit one of these marks every single month:
🔗 Read more: Chuck E. Cheese in Boca Raton: Why This Location Still Wins Over Parents
- The Direct Deposit Route: You need $500 or more coming in via electronic deposits. This means your paycheck, Social Security, or a pension. Note that transferring $500 from your Venmo or PayPal usually doesn't count. Chase is looking for "qualifying" deposits from an employer or the government.
- The "Park Your Cash" Method: Keep at least $1,500 as a minimum daily balance. If you dip to $1,499 for even one afternoon because of a surprise bill, expect to see that $15 charge on your statement.
- The Relationship Angle: If you have $5,000 across all your Chase accounts (checking plus savings), they’ll usually wave the fee.
Why Some People Pay More (and Why Some Pay Less)
Not all accounts are created equal. Chase has a weirdly specific ladder of products, and the monthly fee for chase checking account varies wildly depending on which rung you’re standing on.
The Budget-Friendly Option: Chase Secure Banking
If you’re tired of overdraft fees, this is the one. It’s basically a "no-overdraft" account. The fee is lower at $4.95, and you can get it waived entirely if you have just $250 in qualifying direct deposits. It’s perfect if you don't need to write paper checks (because you can't with this account) and just want a digital-first experience.
The "I’ve Made It" Accounts: Premier Plus and Sapphire
Then there’s the high-end stuff. Chase Premier Plus Checking has a $25 fee. To waive it, you need a $15,000 balance or a linked Chase mortgage.
Then you have Chase Private Client. Starting in 2026, the requirements for some of these top-tier "private" relationships have tightened. If you have under $150,000 in total assets with them, you’re looking at a **$35 monthly fee**. It’s a lot, but for people with that kind of liquidity, the fee is usually an afterthought because it’s so easy for them to waive.
The Student Loophole
If you’re a student between 17 and 24, stop reading the stuff about $15 fees. Chase College Checking is basically free for five years while you’re in school.
💡 You might also like: The Betta Fish in Vase with Plant Setup: Why Your Fish Is Probably Miserable
No monthly service fee. Period.
Once you graduate or hit that five-year mark, it converts to a standard account. At that point, the regular monthly fee for chase checking account rules apply. If you’re a student and you’re paying a fee, you’re doing it wrong. Go talk to a banker and get your status updated.
Small Business Reality
For the entrepreneurs, Chase Business Complete Checking carries a $15 fee.
But here’s a tip: you can waive this not just with a $2,000 balance, but also by spending $2,000 on a Chase Ink business credit card. Or, if you use their "QuickAccept" service to take credit card payments, that counts too. They really want to lock you into their entire ecosystem.
Is It Actually Worth It?
Let’s be real for a second. There are plenty of online banks (like SoFi or Ally) that have zero fees and no balance requirements. Why stay with Chase?
📖 Related: Why the Siege of Vienna 1683 Still Echoes in European History Today
- The App: It’s arguably the best in the business.
- Physical Presence: If you ever need a cashier’s check or a notary, having a branch nearby is a lifesaver.
- Safety: They are "Too Big To Fail" for a reason.
But if you can’t hit that $500 direct deposit mark or keep $1,500 in the bank, Chase is an expensive place to keep your money. You’re essentially paying a "convenience tax."
How to Get a Fee Refunded
If you got hit with a fee this month, don't just eat it.
Chase is surprisingly lenient if it’s your first time or if you’ve been a customer for years. Open the mobile app, go to the "Secure Message Center," and just ask. Say something like, "Hey, I missed the balance requirement this month by a tiny bit. Any chance you can waive the $15 fee as a one-time courtesy?"
Eight times out of ten, they’ll give it back to you. They’d rather lose $15 than lose a customer who might eventually take out a mortgage or a car loan with them.
What to Do Right Now
- Check your average balance: If it's consistently under $1,500 and you don't have direct deposit, switch to Chase Secure Banking to drop your potential fee to $4.95.
- Automate your deposits: Even a small portion of your paycheck (the $500 minimum) sent to Chase can save you $180 a year in fees.
- Monitor the "Statement Ending" date: Fees are assessed based on your statement cycle, not the calendar month. Know your dates.
Banking shouldn't cost you money. If you're paying a monthly fee for chase checking account, take ten minutes today to change your account type or move some funds around. Your future self will thank you for the extra cash.