Chase Bank Review 2023

Chase Bank is the largest bank in America and has operations across the country and around the world. While its deposit accounts pay mostly lackluster interest and charge more and higher fees than much of the competition, it’s an excellent banking choice for consumers with very specific financial needs.

What are those needs, and how does Chase Bank meet them? Read on to find out. 

Who is Chase Bank for?

In reviewing the products offered by Chase Bank, it doesn’t present as “every person’s bank.” This is because the bank pays lower interest rates and charges more and higher fees than much of the competition.

However, because of its size and wide range of financial products, Chase can be a natural banking choice for many consumers. For example, if you have a home loan and one or more credit cards with Chase, you may want to open a checking account with it.

Similarly, if you run a business and either handle your business banking through Chase or want to trade up to a full-service business bank, you may want to open one or more personal accounts there as well.

Finally, Chase is an excellent choice if you regularly engage in international transactions, whether for personal or business purposes. This is because Chase is a global financial institution with many years of experience with international transactions. For example, not all (or even most) banks and credit unions can accommodate international wire transfers, Chase can.

In short, Chase is an excellent bank to work with, but not for the usual reasons (high interest and low fees) consumers choose a bank.

Review of Chase Bank checking accounts

As the largest bank in America, Chase offers many different checking accounts. We’re going to focus on three of the most popular: Total Checking, Secure Banking and Premier Plus Checking.

Chase Total Checking is the bank’s most popular checking account. It’s a non-interest-bearing account that requires no minimum deposit to open. The account comes with Chase Overdraft Assist, which means there’s no overdraft fee if your account is overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and bring it to $50 or less at the end of the next business day.

The account also comes with Zelle, Online Bill Pay, and account alerts. Chase is currently offering a $200 sign-up bonus if you open one and set up direct deposits.

The account has a $12 monthly service fee, which can be waived with 1) electronic deposits of at least $500 per month, 2) a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more, or 3) an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more plus any Chase qualifying deposit or investment accounts.

Chase Secure Banking℠

Overdraft fees

No overdraft fees

Chase Secure Banking℠ is also a non-interest-bearing checking account, but it comes without paper checks. The account has a fixed monthly fee of $4.95 but does not charge overdraft fees. There is no minimum deposit to open it.

Chase Premier Plus Checking

ATM Fees**

Reimbursement for non-Chase ATM fees four times per statement period

*APY is subject to change
**Waived if you 1) maintain an average beginning day balance of $15,000 or more and have Chase qualifying deposit or investment accounts, or 2) you have a qualifying Chase first mortgage enrolled in automatic payments from your account, or 3) you are a current service member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a qualifying military ID.

Chase Premier Plus Checking is an interest-bearing account that currently pays 0.01% annual percentage yield (APY) on all balances. There is no minimum opening deposit required. Like Chase Total Checking, the account comes with Chase Overdraft Assist, Zelle, Online Bill Pay, and account alerts. You’ll also receive reimbursement for non-Chase ATM fees four times per statement period.

Premier Plus has a $25 monthly fee, which can be waived if you 1) maintain an average beginning day balance of $15,000 or more and have Chase qualifying deposit or investment accounts, or 2) you have a qualifying Chase first mortgage enrolled in automatic payments from your account, or 3) you are a current service member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a qualifying military ID.

Chase checking: Pros & cons

Pros:

  • No minimum opening deposit is required on any of the above checking accounts.
  • Total and Premier Plus checking accounts offer Overdraft Assist to help customers avoid overdraft fees.
  • Chase Total is currently offering a $200 bonus if you open an account and set up direct deposit.

Cons:

  • Two of the accounts pay no interest, and the one that does pays only 0.01% APY.
  • All three accounts have monthly service fees with a fee waiver capability that may be difficult to achieve consistently.

Time’s Take

We don’t recommend them because there are checking accounts offered by competitors that not only pay higher interest but also charge no monthly service fee. 

Review of Chase Bank savings accounts 

Chase offers two savings accounts: Chase Savings and Chase Premier Savings.

*APY subject to change.
**1. The account has a balance at the beginning of each day of $300 or more. 2. Total Autosave or other repeating automatic transfers from a Chase checking account amount to $25 or more. 3. A Chase College checking account is linked to Chase Savings for overdraft protection. 4. There is an account owner who is under 18 years old. 5. The account is linked to a Chase Premier Plus, Chase Sapphire, or Chase Private Client checking account.

Chase Savings currently pays 0.01% APY on all balances. There is a $5 monthly service fee that can be waived if conditions are met**.

Chase Premier Savings

APY*

0.01% to 0.02% on all balances

*APY subject to change.
**Waived with a balance at the beginning of each day of $15,000 or more or when the account is linked to a Chase Premier Plus or Chase Sapphire checking account.

Chase Premier Savings currently pays interest of between 0.01% and 0.02% APY. There is a $25 monthly service fee that can be waived with a balance at the beginning of each day of $15,000 or more or when the account is linked to a Chase Premier Plus or Chase Sapphire checking account.

Chase savings: Pros & cons

Cons:

  • Two of the accounts pay no interest, and the one that does pays only 0.01% APY.
  • All three accounts have monthly service fees with a fee waiver capability that may be difficult to achieve consistently.

Time’s Take

We don’t recommend them because of the combination of nearly nonexistent interest with monthly service fees are negatives. There are better savings accounts available with competitors.

Review of other Chase Bank certificates of deposit (CDs)

Chase offers CDs with terms ranging from one month to 120 months. CDs require a minimum of $1,000 to open.

The most attractive CD terms are as follows:

30, 42, 48, 60, 84, 120 months

Chase does offer other CD terms, but the interest rates range between 0.02% and 0.05% APY.

Chase CDs: Pros & cons

Pros:

  • Competitive rates on the three-, six-, and 12-month CDs, especially on balances of $100,000 or more.

Cons:

  • Higher rates on CDs are available with other institutions.

Time’s Take

We don’t recommend them because Chase generally pays less interest on its CDs than the competition does, with the exception of the six-month CD paying 5.00% APY on balances of $100,000 or more. 

Chase money-market accounts

Chase does not offer a money market account (MMA) at this time. You can see which other institution offers the highest rates here.

Other Chase financial products

Chase credit cards

Chase credit cards are know to be amongst the best in the industry. Chase offers credit cards for various consumers to fit their financial needs. These include travel rewards, everyday spending, business, balance transfer, amongst more categories.

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Chase Home and Auto Loans

Chase offers various types of loans for home and car buyers. These include first, second, and experienced homebuyers, mortgage for purchase and refinancing, HELOC, home improvements, debt consolidation and more. Chase also provides online tools to estimate rates and payments as well as other resources to help consumers better manage their payments.

Chase Investing

Investing by J.P. Morgan, offer both Self-Directed Investing and Personal Advisors. 

Review of Chase Bank features

ATM network

Chase Bank offers a network of more than 15,000 ATMs where you can take advantage of fee-free transactions. 

Fees

Apart from monthly service fees, Chase Bank charges the following fees:

  • Non-Chase ATM fees. $3 at U.S. locations and $5 outside the country.
  • Overdraft fees. $34 per transaction that overdraws your account by more than $50, with a maximum of three fees per business day ($102).
  • Foreign exchange rate adjustment. 3% of withdrawal amount after conversion to U.S. dollars.
  • Domestic and international incoming wires. $15 ($0 if the transfer was originally sent with the help of a Chase banker, using the Chase mobile app, or on chase.com).
  • Domestic wire (send). $35.
  • Online domestic wire (send). $25.
  • Consumer USD/F international wire. $50. ($40 when using chase.com or the Chase mobile app to send a wire in U.S. dollars.)
  • Consumer online FX international wire (send). $5 for transfers of less than $5,000; $0 for transfers of $5,000 or more.
  • Stop payment. $30 ($25 if done online or by automated phone process).
  • Early withdrawal fees for CD terms of less than six months. 90 days of interest, not to exceed the total interest earned on the CD.
  • Early withdrawal fees for CDs of six month to less than 24 months. 180 days of interest, not to exceed interest earned on the CD.
  • Early withdrawal fees for CDs of twenty-four months or more. 365 days of interest, not to exceed interest earned on the CD.

Security

Chase offers a full suite of security features to protect both your information and your money. The bank provides continuous fraud monitoring as well as zero liability protection, so you will be reimbursed for unauthorized debit card transactions. You can also lock and unlock your debit card and activate account alerts to stay updated on account activity.

Chase uses 128-bit encryption technology to protect your personal information online or on the mobile app. You can also choose to take advantage of two-factor authentication, where a phone call or text will be sent to your mobile device with a code if you are attempting to access the banking platform from an unrecognized device.

All deposit accounts held with Chase Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $250,000 per depositor. 

Customer service

For personal banking, Chase can be contacted by phone at 800-935-9935, though it does not provide days and hours of contact. You can also reach customer service by email through the Chase online or mobile banking platforms using the Secure Message Center.

If you prefer face-to-face contact and live in an area where Chase operates, you can visit a local branch. 

UI/technology 

In addition to its network of branches and ATMs across the country, Chase Bank is also available through online and mobile banking. Both can be used to check account balances, monitor transactions, transfer funds between accounts, pay bills, and make online or mobile deposits.

You can also use online and mobile banking to set up the Autosave feature to help you make regular transfers from your checking to your savings account, as well as manage your budget by tracking spending. Chase also offers Credit Journey to help you manage, monitor, and protect your credit by accessing regular credit score updates.

Online and mobile platforms can also enable you to invest with J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, using either Self-Directed Investing or Personal Advisors.

Featured partner

Featured partner

J.P. Morgan Personal Advisors

  • Start the new year with a personalized financial plan and ongoing advice from J.P. Morgan.
  • Connect with a J.P. Morgan team member to schedule a free financial planning session. Call 833-930-4515 or fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch.
  • Work with a team of fiduciary advisors who will create a personalized financial plan, match you to expert built portfolios and provide ongoing advice via video or phone.
  • Partner with an advisor to build a personalized financial plan based on what’s important to you—whether that’s paying off debt, opening a business or saving for a big purchase.
  • Get matched to expert-built portfolios, and receive ongoing advice and annual check-ins to ensure your plan is on track.
  • Our team of advisors act as fiduciaries so you can be confident that any advisor you work with has your best interest at heart.
  • Manage all of your banking, investing and borrowing, and conveniently transfer money online and on the Chase Mobile® app.
  • Once we understand your financial picture, risk tolerance and time horizon, we’ll recommend a professionally designed investment portfolio that meets your needs and  automatically rebalance as the market shifts.

INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), a registered broker dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC. TIME Stamped is a publisher of J.P. Morgan, (“Publisher”). The Publisher will receive compensation from J.P. Morgan if you provide contact details to speak with a J.P. Morgan representative. Compensation paid to the Publisher will be up to $500 per completed contact form. Compensation provides an incentive for the Publisher to endorse J.P. Morgan and therefore information, opinions, or referrals are subject to bias. J.P. Morgan and the Publisher are not under common ownership or otherwise related entities, and each are responsible for their own obligations. Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be achieved.

Chase also offers Zelle for sending and receiving money to and from individuals at no fee.

More about Chase Bank

Who owns Chase Bank?

Chase Bank is owned by J.P. Morgan Chase, which is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker JPM. J.P. Morgan Chase is a financial institution with assets totaling $3.7 trillion.

History and reputation

Chase Bank has a very long history. It started out as the Bank of the Manhattan Company in New York in 1799. In 1955 it merged with Chase National Bank, forming what was then known as the Chase Manhattan Bank. Over the years it merged with several other large banks and is now the largest bank in the United States. A combination with J.P. Morgan & Co. led to the formation of J.P. Morgan Chase, which is the company’s official name.

Chase Bank has a Better Business Bureau rating of “A+”, and a Trustpilot rating of 1.3 (bad) out of five stars based on 1,430 reviews.

The Chase Bank mobile app has a rating of 4.4 out of five stars from nearly 1.8 million Android users on Google Play and 4.8 out of five stars among more than five million iOS users on the App Store.

World presence 

Chase Bank operates over 4,700 branch locations in 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii are not included). The bank also operates more than 15,000 ATMs across the country. Chase also operates 198 locations outside the US, in dozens of major cities around the world. 

How does Chase Bank compare

When comparing Chase Bank with other popular banks, it quickly becomes apparent that it doesn’t attempt to outperform or even match much of the competition when it comes to interest paid and fees charged. Based on the comparison table below, the only product with which Chase leads the pack is its six-month CD, which currently pays 5.00% APY on balances of $100,000 or more.