Roughly one in five U.S. small business checking accounts is held at Chase, making it the largest small business bank in the country. So if you are weighing whether to open one, the question of minimum balance comes up fast.
The short answer to "does a Chase business account have a minimum balance?" is yes, but probably not in the way you think. Chase does not require a minimum deposit to open most business checking accounts. It does require certain balances or activity to avoid the monthly service fee, which is structured similarly to the personal-side Chase bank monthly fee waivers. Here is how the rules break down across the three main tiers as of 2026.
The Quick Answer
None of Chase's three main business checking accounts have a hard minimum balance you must maintain at all times. There is no penalty for dropping to $0 in the account.
What Chase does have is a balance threshold tied to the monthly service fee. This kind of conditional maintenance fee is standard across the industry: stay above the threshold and the fee is waived; fall below it and the fee hits your statement that cycle. Each tier has its own threshold, and they get higher as the account features get richer.
Chase Business Complete Banking
This is Chase's entry-level business checking account, designed for sole proprietors and smaller LLCs.
You can open it with $0. The monthly service fee is $15, and you can waive it in any of these ways during each statement cycle: keep a $2,000 minimum daily ending balance, spend $2,000 on Chase Ink Business cards, receive $2,000 in eligible deposits from Chase QuickAccept or other Chase Merchant Services, or maintain a linked Chase Private Client Checking account. Active-duty military and qualifying veterans can also have the fee waived.
The account includes unlimited electronic deposits, 20 free in-person deposits per cycle, and free debit card payments. Cash deposits beyond $5,000 a cycle cost $2.50 per $1,000.
Chase Performance Business Checking
This tier suits growing businesses with higher transaction volume.
There is no minimum to open, but the monthly service fee is $30. To waive it, you need a $35,000 average daily ending account balance across linked qualifying Chase business deposit accounts. The account includes 250 free transactions per cycle and $20,000 in free cash deposits per cycle.
If you do not consistently keep tens of thousands of dollars in the account, this tier is rarely worth the cost. Many growing businesses stay on Complete Banking until their cash deposit or transaction volume forces an upgrade.
Current Banking
Current Banking
Current is a mobile-first banking app with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Members can earn up to 4.00% APY with a qualifying direct deposit of $200, receive direct-deposit paychecks up to 2 days early, and overdraft up to $200 fee-free.
Standout feature
4.00% APY on Savings Pods (with a $200+ qualifying direct deposit) plus paycheck up to 2 days early — both included on the standard account for free
Fees
Free
Pros
$0 monthly fee; up to 4.00% APY on Savings Pods with qualifying direct deposit; paycheck up to 2 days early;
Cons
No physical branches
Chase Platinum Business Checking
This is Chase's premium business checking tier, geared toward established companies with significant cash flow.
The monthly service fee is $95, and you can waive it by maintaining a $100,000 average beginning day balance across linked qualifying business and personal accounts. Benefits include 500 free transactions per cycle, $25,000 in free cash deposits per cycle, and no fees on incoming domestic wires or outgoing same-currency international wires.
For most small businesses, the math only works if you regularly carry six-figure balances. Otherwise the monthly fee alone wipes out most of the perks.
How the "Minimum Balance" Calculation Works
Chase uses different balance calculations across tiers, which can be confusing. Complete Banking looks at your minimum daily ending balance, meaning if you drop low even once, you miss the waiver. Performance and Platinum look at average daily balances, which gives more flexibility. The figure Chase uses for these calculations is typically your current balance at the end of each business day, not your available balance.
If you maintain a healthy buffer above the threshold, occasional dips will not cost you the waiver on Performance or Platinum. Setting an automatic alert at 110 percent of your waiver threshold is a simple way to protect yourself from a surprise monthly fee.
Other Costs to Watch
Balance thresholds are not the only fees on a Chase business account. Excess transactions beyond your monthly allotment cost about $0.40 each. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals run $3, plus any surcharge from the ATM owner. Outgoing wires range from $25 domestic to $50 international.
If your business is just starting out and you want a simpler fee structure, online business checking accounts can sometimes be a better fit. Some fintech providers like Current offer fee-light personal accounts that work well for sole proprietors with simple needs, while traditional banks like Chase shine when you need branches, cash handling, and merchant services.
Should You Worry About the Minimum?
For most early-stage businesses, the answer is a qualified no. With $2,000 sitting in the account or $2,000 in card spend each month, Chase Business Complete Banking is effectively free. That is a manageable bar for many active businesses, especially if you can keep your bank balance comfortably above the waiver line each cycle.
If your balance is highly variable, set a calendar reminder near the end of each cycle to top up the account or run a card purchase. A single missed waiver costs $15, which adds up over a year if it happens repeatedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase business account with $0?
Yes. Chase does not require a minimum opening deposit for Business Complete Banking, Performance Business Checking, or Platinum Business Checking as of 2026. You will need standard business documentation, like your EIN, formation paperwork, and a valid ID.
Does the minimum balance apply to savings accounts too?
Chase Business Total Savings has its own structure: a $10 monthly fee that you can waive with a $1,000 minimum daily balance. Chase Business Premier Savings requires a higher balance to waive its monthly fee. Always check the latest disclosures on Chase's website before opening.
What happens if I drop below the threshold for one month?
You will be charged the monthly service fee for that cycle ($15 for Complete, $30 for Performance, $95 for Platinum). You will not be closed out, locked out, or penalized further. Hit the waiver requirement the following cycle and the fee disappears again.
Are these requirements current for 2026?
These figures reflect Chase's published fee schedule as of 2026. Banks can change fees and waiver requirements at any time with proper notice. Verify the current numbers on Chase's business banking site before opening an account.
