If you are one of the millions of Americans who use Chase Bank, this is something you need to know. Starting August 24, the monthly fee for one of Chase’s most widely used accounts is going up. If you are not careful, you could start paying $15 every month, just for having a checking account. Let us go over exactly what is changing, who it affects, and how you can avoid this new charge.
Which Chase Bank account fee is increasing?
The account affected is Chase Total Checking, which the bank says is its most popular checking option. Many customers use this account for everyday banking, which is why this fee change matters to so many people. The monthly service fee is rising from $12 to $15 and that adds up to $180 a year, compared to $144 previously. The new fee starts on August 24, 2025.
This change was not widely advertised. In fact, many customers only found out when someone posted about it on a Chase Bank Reddit forum. That post sparked frustration among users who feel caught off guard by the increase.
How can I avoid paying the $15 Chase fee?
The good news is, you can still avoid the monthly fee, but you have to meet certain requirements each month. Chase lists three ways to waive the charge:
- Set up direct deposits totaling $500 or more
These deposits must come through qualifying systems like ACH, FedNow, or Real-Time Payments. It could be your paycheck, government benefits, or other recurring income. - Maintain a daily balance of at least $1,500
This means your checking account should never drop below $1,500 at any point during the day. - Hold a combined balance of $5,000 across linked Chase accounts
This can include your Total Checking account plus any savings or other eligible Chase accounts you have connected.
If you do not meet at least one of these conditions, the new $15 monthly fee will apply automatically.
Why is Chase raising this fee now?
Banks across the country have been gradually increasing service fees in recent years. According to a MoneyRates survey, the average monthly maintenance fee for checking accounts has gone up from $13.24 to $13.51 in just six months.
So while Chase’s move is not unusual, it is still frustrating for customers—especially those who are trying to keep up with higher costs on everything from groceries to gas.
You may remember that President Biden’s administration tried to limit overdraft and banking fees to save families money. However, in May, President Donald Trump signed a resolution that repealed those efforts. That has given banks more freedom to increase fees without federal limits.
How many people will this affect?
Chase serves over 84 million customers across the United States. Many of them use the Total Checking account, which makes this a widespread change. If you bank with Chase and use this account, chances are this change applies to you.
It is a good idea to double-check your account type and make sure you are either meeting one of the fee waiver conditions—or planning ahead to switch to a different account that may be more affordable.
What should I do now?
Here is a quick checklist to help you stay ahead of the new fee:
- Log into your Chase account and confirm if you use a Total Checking account
- Look at your monthly deposits—are they at least $500?
- Check your average daily balance—does it stay above $1,500?
- See if you have linked accounts that could help you meet the $5,000 combined balance rule
If not, now might be the time to rethink how you use your bank or explore lower-fee options.
