Chase and Bank of America are the two biggest banks in the country. Because of that, they offer some of the best branch and ATM access in the United States, along with easy-to-use online banking. If you’re in the market for a new account, how can you decide which bank is right for you? In this article, we’ll compare Chase vs. Bank of America to help you decide which big bank offers the best accounts, services, and more.
| Bank of America | Chase | |
|---|---|---|
| Checking | Three account types: Up to 0.02% APY | Three account types: Up to 0.01% APY |
| Savings | One account type: Up to 0.04% APY | Three account types: Up to 0.02% APY |
| Certificates of deposit (CDs) | Up to 4.00% APY | Up to % APY |
| Overdraft fees | $10 per item; maximum two per day | $34 per item; maximum three per day |
| ATM network | 15,000 | 16,000 |
| Customer service | Phone support, branch support, social media support, secure messaging, and live chat | Phone support, branch support, social media support, and secure messaging |
| Read our Bank of America review | View offer at MoneyLion |
| Checking | |
|---|---|
| Three account types: Up to 0.02% APY | |
| Three account types: Up to 0.01% APY | |
| Savings | |
| One account type: Up to 0.04% APY | |
| Three account types: Up to 0.02% APY | |
| Certificates of deposit (CDs) | |
| Up to 4.00% APY | |
| Up to % APY | |
| Overdraft fees | |
| $10 per item; maximum two per day | |
| $34 per item; maximum three per day | |
| ATM network | |
| 15,000 | |
| 16,000 | |
| Customer service | |
| Phone support, branch support, social media support, secure messaging, and live chat | |
| Phone support, branch support, social media support, and secure messaging | |
| Read our Bank of America review | |
| View offer at MoneyLion |
Chase vs. Bank of America: Basic checking accounts
Bank of America offers three standard checking accounts, as does Chase. None of them are free checking accounts, though you can waive the fees by meeting certain requirements each month. Where Bank of America shines is its lower overdraft fees. They’re only $10 per item, and you can only be charged twice per day. Meanwhile, Chase charges $34 per occurrence and can charge you up to three times per day—meaning you might get stuck with a $102 fee.
However, Chase is better if you’re looking for a high-value welcome bonus as you can earn up to $300 when you open a Total Checking account.
| Bank of America | Chase | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit to open | $25 to $100 | $0 |
| Monthly fee | $4.95 to $25 | $4.95 to $25 |
| How to waive monthly fee | Meet one of these requirements (varies by account):
Maintain a minimum daily balance |
Meet one of these requirements (varies by account):
Receive qualifying electronic deposits each month |
| Overdraft fees | $0 to $10 | $0 to $34 |
| Earns interest? | Up to 0.02% annual percentage yield (APY) | Up to 0.01% APY |
| Bonus available? | Earn up to $200 when you open a new account | Earn $100 to $300 when you open an account and meet certain requirements |
| Minimum deposit to open | |
|---|---|
| $25 to $100 | |
| $0 | |
| Monthly fee | |
| $4.95 to $25 | |
| $4.95 to $25 | |
| How to waive monthly fee | |
| Meet one of these requirements (varies by account):
Maintain a minimum daily balance |
|
| Meet one of these requirements (varies by account):
Receive qualifying electronic deposits each month |
|
| Overdraft fees | |
| $0 to $10 | |
| $0 to $34 | |
| Earns interest? | |
| Up to 0.02% annual percentage yield (APY) | |
| Up to 0.01% APY | |
| Bonus available? | |
| Earn up to $200 when you open a new account | |
| Earn $100 to $300 when you open an account and meet certain requirements |
Bank of America SafeBalance Banking
The Bank of America SafeBalance Banking is a good basic checking account, especially for students and young adults. It doesn’t permit overdrafts, so it’s a good account for those learning to manage their finances.
Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking
If you’re looking for a more standard checking account, the Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking is it. It allows the use of paper checks, which can be helpful if you still pay bills by mail. It also comes with overdraft protection if you link another Bank of America account.
Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking
For those who use a lot of banking services, the Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking is a good pick because it drops the fees on standard checks, incoming domestic wires, stop payments, and more. It also earns interest and can help waive the fee on up to seven other Bank of America accounts.
Chase Total Checking
The Chase Total Checking ticks all the boxes for a standard checking account. It comes with overdraft assist, autosave, Zelle, and access to over 15,000 ATMs. Key things it’s missing include early direct deposit, fee-free out-of-network ATM use, and free checks.
Chase Secure Banking
If you have a proclivity for overdrafting, you’ll appreciate the Chase Secure Banking account. It doesn’t permit overdrafts, so you won’t pay overdraft fees. It also comes with early direct deposit and no fees for money orders or cashier’s checks. But you aren’t able to use paper checks.
Chase Premier Plus Checking
The Chase Premier Plus Checking has the highest monthly fee but it also comes with lower service fees. For example, you won’t pay for money orders, cashier’s checks, or using a non-Chase ATM (up to four times per statement period). It also earns interest.
Chase vs. Bank of America: Basic savings accounts
Chase wins the battle of savings accounts, with three options compared to Bank of America’s one. All of Chase’s accounts also don’t have a minimum opening deposit while Bank of America requires you to have $100 to open an account. That said, waiving your monthly fee at Bank of America may be easier. Bank of America also has the potential for a higher APY, but both bank’s offerings are substandard here, with neither being a high-yield savings account.
| Bank of America | Chase | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit to open | $100 | $0 |
| Monthly fee | $8 | $5 to $35 |
| How to waive fee | Meet one of these requirements: Maintain a minimum daily balance of $500 or more Link your Advantage Savings account to another Bank of America Advantage account Enroll in the Preferred Rewards program Be 25 years old or younger |
Meet one of these requirements (varies by account): Maintain a minimum daily balance Make Autosave or other repeating automatic transfers from your personal Chase checking account Link another Chase account Meet an age requirement |
| Other features | 0.01% to 0.04% APY Mobile check deposit Automatic transfers Custom alerts Overdraft protection |
0.01% to 0.02% APY Autosave Mobile check deposit Account alerts |
| Minimum deposit to open | |
|---|---|
| $100 | |
| $0 | |
| Monthly fee | |
| $8 | |
| $5 to $35 | |
| How to waive fee | |
| Meet one of these requirements: Maintain a minimum daily balance of $500 or more Link your Advantage Savings account to another Bank of America Advantage account Enroll in the Preferred Rewards program Be 25 years old or younger |
|
| Meet one of these requirements (varies by account): Maintain a minimum daily balance Make Autosave or other repeating automatic transfers from your personal Chase checking account Link another Chase account Meet an age requirement |
|
| Other features | |
| 0.01% to 0.04% APY Mobile check deposit Automatic transfers Custom alerts Overdraft protection |
|
| 0.01% to 0.02% APY Autosave Mobile check deposit Account alerts |
Bank of America Advantage Savings Account
Younger savers will appreciate this account, as the monthly service fee is waived for anyone 25 or younger. It’s also a good option if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member as you’ll receive interest rate boosters and fee waivers on certain services.
Chase Savings
The Chase Savings account is ideal for someone who wants to take advantage of auto saving to build up their emergency fund. This feature transfers money from your checking account automatically to help you reach your goals.
Chase Premier Savings
You might upgrade to the Chase Premier Savings if you value a higher interest rate. However, since the higher rate is only 0.02% APY, this isn’t a huge selling point.
Chase Private Client Savings
Customers with a larger savings balance might want to use the Chase Private Client Savings. You’ll get access to a private client advisor to help you manage your finances as well as exclusive perks and preferred rates.
Chase vs. Bank of America: Certificates of deposit
On paper, both Chase CDs and Bank of America CDs are pretty similar. They require a $1,000 minimum deposit, have a large number of term options, and come with early withdrawal penalties that are practically identical. Standard rates at both banks are far below average compared to the best CDs available today, but both also have higher-value CD specials with above-average APYs. Where Chase has the slight advantage is its relationship rates, which you can earn with a linked Chase personal checking account.
Keep in mind—this comparison is not exhaustive. Both banks have dozens of terms and interest rates that may be a better fit for your needs.
| Bank of America | Chase | |
|---|---|---|
| Term lengths | 28 days to 10 years | 1 month to 10 years |
| Minimum deposit to open | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| APY on 1-year CD | 0.03% | 2.00% relationship rate, 0.01% standard rate |
| APY on 3-year CD | 0.03% | 2.50% relationship rate, 0.01% standard rate |
| APY on 5-year CD | 0.03% | 2.50% relationship rate, 0.01% standard rate |
| Compounding frequency | Monthly | Daily |
| Withdrawal penalties | Terms less than 90 days: the greater of all interest earned on amount withdrawn or 7 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn Terms 90 days up to 12 months: 90 days’ interest on amount withdrawn Terms 12 months up to 60 months: 180 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn Terms 60 months or longer: 365 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn |
Terms less than 6 months: 90 days’ interest on amount withdrawn (not more than total interest earned) Terms 6 months to less than 24 months: 180 days’ interest on amount withdrawn (not more than total interest earned) Terms 24 months or longer: 365 days’ interest on amount withdrawn (not more than total interest earned) |
| Term lengths | |
|---|---|
| 28 days to 10 years | |
| 1 month to 10 years | |
| Minimum deposit to open | |
| $1,000 | |
| $1,000 | |
| APY on 1-year CD | |
| 0.03% | |
| 2.00% relationship rate, 0.01% standard rate | |
| APY on 3-year CD | |
| 0.03% | |
| 2.50% relationship rate, 0.01% standard rate | |
| APY on 5-year CD | |
| 0.03% | |
| 2.50% relationship rate, 0.01% standard rate | |
| Compounding frequency | |
| Monthly | |
| Daily | |
| Withdrawal penalties | |
| Terms less than 90 days: the greater of all interest earned on amount withdrawn or 7 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn Terms 90 days up to 12 months: 90 days’ interest on amount withdrawn Terms 12 months up to 60 months: 180 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn Terms 60 months or longer: 365 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn |
|
| Terms less than 6 months: 90 days’ interest on amount withdrawn (not more than total interest earned) Terms 6 months to less than 24 months: 180 days’ interest on amount withdrawn (not more than total interest earned) Terms 24 months or longer: 365 days’ interest on amount withdrawn (not more than total interest earned) |
Chase vs. Bank of America: Investment services
Chase runs its investment services through J.P. Morgan Wealth Management while Bank of America uses Merrill Edge. Both platforms are similar in that they offer self-directed investing or guided investing with a financial advisor. Even their welcome bonuses are similar—J.P. Morgan offers a $700 welcome bonus while Merrill Edge offers $600.
Deciding between the two might come down to whether you want to trade fractional shares. If so, Chase is the one that offers this service. Bank of America also offers some small business investment services while Chase doesn’t.
Chase investment accounts & financial advising services
- Self-directed online investing: Brokerage accounts, money market accounts (MMAs), mutual funds, fractional shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks, options trading, and fixed income and bonds
- 1:1 financial advising
- Investment calculators
- Wealth planning
- Education planning
- Retirement planning: IRAs, 401(k)
Bank of America investment accounts & financial advising services
- Self-directed online investing: Stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income and bonds, CDs, and option trading
- Guided investing
- Margin trading
- Investment tools
- Retirement planning: IRAs, estate planning, and annuities
- Small business investments
Chase vs. Bank of America: Banking experience and customer service
When it comes to customer service reviews, Chase and Bank of America are both quite lackluster. Both have 1.3 stars on Trustpilot. Many people are disappointed with their experiences, especially automated or unhelpful support.
However, if banking experience is important to you, Chase has a slight edge with more branches and ATMs. Both banks do have highly rated mobile apps.
| Bank of America | Chase | |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service availability | For checking and savings issues, general account info, and opening an account:Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern timeSaturday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET | Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ETSaturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET |
| Number of branches | 3,900 | 4,900 |
| ATM network | 15,000 | 16,000 |
| Mobile app rating | 4.6 stars on Google Play4.8 stars on App Store | 4.4 stars on Google Play4.8 stars on App Store |
| Customer service availability | |
|---|---|
| For checking and savings issues, general account info, and opening an account:Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern timeSaturday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET | |
| Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ETSaturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET | |
| Number of branches | |
| 3,900 | |
| 4,900 | |
| ATM network | |
| 15,000 | |
| 16,000 | |
| Mobile app rating | |
| 4.6 stars on Google Play4.8 stars on App Store | |
| 4.4 stars on Google Play4.8 stars on App Store |
What states have physical Bank of America branches?
Bank of America currently has branches in 38 states and Washington, D.C. However, the bank plans to expand its presence to even more states by 2026, including Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Alabama. Right now, the biggest gap in coverage is in the Great American West region.
What states have physical Chase branches?
Currently, Chase has branches in 48 states and Washington, D.C. It offers more robust coverage than Bank of America, meaning you can find a branch anywhere except Hawaii and Alaska.
Other services offered
As the biggest banks in the country, both Chase and Bank of America offer plenty of other financial services. Most of their offerings are quite similar, with versatile credit cards, home loans, auto loans, and more. Bank of America has more home equity options if you’re looking to cash in on your home’s value as well as more student and credit-building cards. However, Chase might be a better option for auto loans thanks to its large network of vetted dealers.
| Bank of America | Chase | |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | Cash back, travel rewards, airline rewards, low interest rates, credit building, points rewards, student cards, and business cards | Cash back, travel rewards, airline rewards, hotel rewards, balance transfer, credit building, dining, and business cards |
| Mortgages & home equity line of credit (HELOC) loans | Fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, Jumbo, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, doctor loans, cash-out refinance, and HELOC | Fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, Jumbo, and cash-out refinance |
| Auto loans | New car, used car, and lease buyout | New car, used car, and lease buyout |
| Investment accounts | General investment, Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and rollover IRAs | General investment, traditional IRA, and Roth IRA |
| Small business banking | Checking, savings, investments, loans, and credit cards | Checking, savings, investments, loans, and credit cards |
| Commercial banking | Treasury, banking, cash flow, and risk management solutions | Credit, financing, treasury, and payment solutions |
| Credit cards | |
|---|---|
| Cash back, travel rewards, airline rewards, low interest rates, credit building, points rewards, student cards, and business cards | |
| Cash back, travel rewards, airline rewards, hotel rewards, balance transfer, credit building, dining, and business cards | |
| Mortgages & home equity line of credit (HELOC) loans | |
| Fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, Jumbo, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, doctor loans, cash-out refinance, and HELOC | |
| Fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, Jumbo, and cash-out refinance | |
| Auto loans | |
| New car, used car, and lease buyout | |
| New car, used car, and lease buyout | |
| Investment accounts | |
| General investment, Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and rollover IRAs | |
| General investment, traditional IRA, and Roth IRA | |
| Small business banking | |
| Checking, savings, investments, loans, and credit cards | |
| Checking, savings, investments, loans, and credit cards | |
| Commercial banking | |
| Treasury, banking, cash flow, and risk management solutions | |
| Credit, financing, treasury, and payment solutions |
Pros and cons of Chase
Pros
- Branches and ATMs in 48 states
- Wide range of financial products and services
- Decent APYs on some CDs
- No minimum opening deposits on many accounts
Cons
- Low or no APYs on savings and checking
- High fees on overdrafts
- Monthly maintenance fees on all accounts
- Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees
Pros and cons of Bank of America
Pros
- Branches and ATMs in 38 states
- Wide range of financial products and services
- Highly rated mobile app
- Preferred Rewards program provides additional perks
Cons
- Low or no APYs on savings and checking
- Extremely low rates on CDs
- Monthly maintenance fees on all accounts
- Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees
So, should you choose Chase or Bank of America?
Ultimately, which bank you choose comes down to your needs. If you value having no minimum deposit requirements, Chase is a good pick. But, if you like the idea of being rewarded for giving a bank your business, then the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program has a lot of perks if you’re willing to do all of your banking there.
- Choose Chase if: You value no minimum opening deposits, want the largest service area and ATM network, and are interested in higher CD rates.
- Choose Bank of America if: You want lower overdraft fees, Preferred Rewards perks, and a higher-rated mobile app.
- Go with an alternative if: You want no monthly maintenance fees, higher interest rates, and free ATM use.
The takeaway
Chase and Bank of America are two solid picks if you’re looking for a big bank that operates across the country. But if your goal is to maximize your interest earnings or lower the fees you pay, neither is the best option. Instead, you might consider smaller online banks that can offer higher APYs with little to no fees for holding an account.
Chase Bank
| Checking accounts: | Up to $300 opening bonus |
| Savings accounts: | No minimum deposit |
| CD rates: | Earn up to 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) |
Bank of America
| Checking accounts: | $200 opening bonus |
| Savings accounts: | Open with as little as $100 |
| CD rates: | Earn up to 4.85% APY |
FAQs
Who is better, Bank of America or Chase?
Chase generally offers more competitive savings rates and a wider variety of account options. Ultimately, the best bank for you depends on your specific needs and priorities, such as fee structure, branch accessibility, and rewards programs.
Which bank is more convenient, Chase or Bank of America?
Both Chase and Bank of America offer extensive branch and ATM networks, making them convenient for many. However, where you live, work, and travel the most will determine which bank is more accessible to you.
Which bank is used by the most Americans?
JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in the United States, with over $3.5 trillion in assets. However, Bank of America is second with $2.5 trillion in assets. Both banks are used by millions of Americans.
Can I transfer money from Chase to Bank of America?
Yes, you can transfer money from Chase to Bank of America by linking your bank accounts. Adding Bank of America as an external account may require you to verify two small trial deposits and withdrawals. After that, you can schedule your transfer under the “Pay and transfer” tab of the Chase website. Your deposit should arrive in two to three business days.
Source: fortune.com
