Chase is the largest bank in the United States by assets with over $3.9 trillion and the most branches of any US bank at 4,700+ locations. It’s an excellent choice if you want a reliable checking account with nationwide branch access, a large ATM network, or if you’re bundling banking with Chase’s premium credit cards. It’s a poor choice for earning interest on savings.
The short version: Chase for checking and branch access; an online bank for savings.
Chase at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Branches | 4,700+ nationwide |
| ATMs | 16,000+ fee-free |
| Checking monthly fee | $12 (waivable) |
| Savings APY | 0.01% |
| Overdraft fee | $34 (up to 3/day) |
| Minimum to open | $0 |
| FDIC insured | Yes |
| 24/7 customer service | Yes (phone + in-app) |
Chase Checking Accounts
Chase Total Checking is Chase’s main consumer checking account. It includes all standard features — debit card, online bill pay, Zelle, mobile deposit, and full branch access.
- Monthly fee: $12 — waived with $500/month direct deposit, $1,500 daily balance, or $5,000 linked average balance
- ATMs: 16,000+ fee-free Chase ATMs; $3.00 at non-Chase ATMs
- Overdraft: $34/transaction, max 3/day, waived if balance ≥ -$50 at end of day
- Opening deposit: $0 required
Chase Secure Banking is a no-overdraft, no-minimum option at $4.95/month with no waivers. Good for people who frequently overdraft — you literally can’t go negative.
Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25/month (waived with $15,000 average balance or linked mortgage). Adds free wire transfers, no foreign transaction fee on non-Chase ATMs, and more.
Chase Sapphire Banking costs $25/month (waived with $75,000 in linked deposits). Includes premium benefits and free international wire transfers.
For most people, Total Checking with direct deposit — which waives the fee — is the right option.
Chase Savings Account
Chase Savings earns 0.01% APY — approximately $1 per year on a $10,000 balance. This is not a competitive rate. The national average savings rate is 0.46%; online high-yield savings accounts pay 4.00%–4.90%.
Chase offers a Premier Savings account that earns slightly more (0.01%–1.00% with a linked Premier Plus or Sapphire account) but it’s still far below what online banks offer.
The standard recommendation: Keep your Chase checking account for day-to-day banking, and move your savings to a high-yield savings account at Ally, Marcus, or Capital One 360.
On a $20,000 savings balance:
- Chase at 0.01%: $2/year
- Ally at 4.20%: $840/year
- Difference: $838/year — roughly $70/month
Chase Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly maintenance | $12 | Direct deposit OR $1,500 balance |
| Overdraft | $34 | Opt out OR link savings for protection |
| Out-of-network ATM | $3.00 | Use Chase ATMs |
| Domestic wire (outgoing) | $30 | Use Zelle (free) |
| International wire (outgoing) | $50 | Use Wise |
| Stop payment | $30 | — |
| Early account closure (under 90 days) | $25 | Wait 90 days |
See the complete Chase fee schedule for the full breakdown.
Where Chase Excels
Branch network: Chase’s 4,700+ branches and 16,000+ ATMs cover virtually every major US city and most suburban areas. If you travel frequently within the US, you’re rarely far from a Chase branch or ATM.
Credit card ecosystem: Chase’s credit card lineup — Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex — is widely regarded as the best in the industry for travel rewards and cashback. If you already have a Chase credit card, having a Chase checking account makes it easier to pay your bill and manage everything in one app.
Business and investment integration: Chase offers business banking, mortgages, auto loans, and investment accounts (through J.P. Morgan Wealth Management) all under one login.
Mobile app: Chase’s app is consistently rated among the top banking apps for reliability, features, and ease of use.
Where Chase Falls Short
Savings rates: 0.01% APY is inexcusable when competitors offer 4%+. Chase relies on convenience to retain savings customers rather than competing on rate.
Fee complexity: Waiving the $12 monthly fee is straightforward for most people with direct deposit, but the fee structure is more complex than no-fee online banks.
Overdraft fees: $34 per overdraft (up to $102/day) is among the highest in the industry. Capital One and Ally have eliminated overdraft fees entirely.
Who Should Bank With Chase?
Chase is a good fit if you:
- Want consistent branch access in virtually any US city
- Already have or plan to get a Chase credit card and want consolidated banking
- Prefer face-to-face service for mortgages, auto loans, or business banking
- Value a reliable, full-featured mobile app
Consider an online bank instead if you:
- Primarily care about earning interest on savings
- Rarely or never visit a bank branch
- Want to avoid monthly fees entirely
See also: Chase checking account guide | Chase savings account | Chase fees | Chase vs. Wells Fargo
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