Do you want to know how to potentially boost your financial standing with one of the largest and most well-known banks in the world? You've come to the right place! While Chase Bank primarily functions as a traditional banking institution, offering a wide array of services, there are several strategic ways you can leverage their offerings to generate income, save money, and build wealth.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through various avenues, from exploiting lucrative sign-up bonuses to smart credit card usage and even exploring investment opportunities. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Unlocking Initial Gains - Capitalizing on Chase Bank Sign-Up Bonuses
Did you know that Chase frequently offers attractive bonuses just for opening new accounts? This is often the easiest and quickest way to put some extra cash in your pocket.
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| How To Make Money With Chase Bank |
Sub-heading 1.1: Personal Checking and Savings Account Bonuses
Chase regularly provides promotional offers for new customers opening checking and/or savings accounts. These can be quite substantial.
How it Works: Typically, you'll need to open a new Chase checking account (like Chase Total Checking®) and meet certain requirements within a specified timeframe, often 60 or 90 days. These requirements usually involve:
Direct Deposits: Setting up direct deposits totaling a certain amount (e.g., $500 or more). This means your paycheck, pension, or government benefits going directly into your new Chase account. Be careful: Person-to-person payments like Zelle often don't count.
Maintaining a Balance: For some savings account bonuses, you might need to deposit a significant amount of "new money" (money not already held with Chase) and maintain that balance for a period (e.g., $15,000 for 90 days).
Qualifying Transactions: Some offers might require a certain number of debit card purchases, online bill payments, or Zelle transfers.
Current Examples (as of July 2025):
Chase Total Checking®: Offers can be around $300 for direct deposits of $500 or more within 90 days.
Chase Total Checking + Savings: This can be a highly rewarding combo, potentially offering up to $900! This usually involves meeting the checking bonus requirements and also depositing a larger sum (e.g., $15,000) into a new savings account and maintaining it for 90 days.
Chase Secure Banking & College Checking: Smaller bonuses (e.g., $100-$125) might be available for these accounts with easier transaction requirements.
Important Considerations:
Read the Fine Print: Always thoroughly read the terms and conditions of any bonus offer. Pay attention to eligibility criteria (e.g., not for existing customers, not for those who closed accounts recently), expiration dates, and how the bonus will be paid out.
Waiving Monthly Fees: Chase checking and savings accounts often have monthly service fees. Ensure you can meet the criteria to waive these fees (e.g., minimum direct deposit, average daily balance) to ensure the bonus is truly "free money."
Sub-heading 1.2: Business Checking Account Bonuses
If you own a small business, Chase also extends sign-up bonuses for their business checking accounts, such as Chase Business Complete Checking®.
How it Works: Similar to personal accounts, these usually involve depositing a specific amount of new money and completing a certain number of qualifying transactions within a set timeframe.
Deposit Tiers: You might see offers with different bonus amounts depending on the initial deposit (e.g., $300 for depositing $2,000, or $500 for depositing $10,000).
Qualifying Transactions: This could include debit card purchases, ACH credits, or Chase QuickDeposit transactions.
Maximizing This: If you're starting a new business or already have one, this is an excellent opportunity to get a financial head start.
Step 2: Smart Spending, Smart Earning - Leveraging Chase Credit Card Rewards
Chase is renowned for its Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, considered one of the best credit card rewards currencies. By strategically using their credit cards, you can earn valuable points or cash back that translate directly into savings or even free travel.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
Sub-heading 2.1: Understanding Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly versatile. Their value can vary significantly depending on how you redeem them.
Earning Points:
Welcome Offers: This is the biggest initial boost. Many Chase credit cards offer substantial bonus points after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might offer 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000.
Category Bonuses: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Chase Freedom Flex®, and Ink Business Preferred® offer accelerated earning in specific categories (e.g., dining, travel, online grocery purchases, office supply stores, internet/cable/phone services). Pay attention to these categories to maximize your everyday spending.
Everyday Spending: Most cards earn at least 1 point or 1.5% cash back per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Shop through Chase Portal: This online shopping portal allows you to earn additional bonus points when you shop at participating retailers.
Redeeming Points for Value:
Travel (Highest Value): This is where Ultimate Rewards truly shine.
Chase Travel Portal: Points redeemed for travel through Chase's own portal can be worth 1.25 cents (with Chase Sapphire Preferred®) or 1.5 cents (with Chase Sapphire Reserve®) per point.
Transfer Partners: You can transfer your points 1:1 to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs (e.g., United, Southwest, Marriott, Hyatt). This often yields the highest redemption value, especially for premium cabin flights or luxury hotel stays.
Cash Back: You can redeem points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point (100 points = $1). This is a solid, flexible option, especially with cards like Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex®.
Gift Cards: Typically, 1 cent per point, though Chase occasionally offers discounts on specific gift cards.
Merchandise/Apple Purchases: Generally 1 cent per point. Avoid using points for Amazon purchases through their "Shop With Points" program, as the value is usually lower (around 0.8 cents per point).
Sub-heading 2.2: Popular Chase Credit Cards for Earning
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: A fantastic starter travel card, offering bonus points on travel, dining, and online grocery purchases. It offers 1.25 cents per point value for travel redeemed through Chase Travel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: A premium travel card with a higher annual fee but significantly more benefits, including higher point earning on travel and dining, a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access, and 1.5 cents per point value for travel redeemed through Chase Travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus 5% on travel booked through Chase and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. It's a great everyday spending card.
Chase Freedom Flex®: Offers 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 spent per quarter), 5% on travel booked through Chase, and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. Strategic use of the rotating categories can be very profitable.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: An excellent business card that earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in categories like shipping, advertising, internet/cable/phone services, and travel. Points are also transferable to travel partners.
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Offers 5% cash back on office supply store purchases and internet/cable/phone services (up to $25,000 spent per year combined), and 2% back at gas stations and restaurants.
The "Chase Trifecta": Many savvy users combine a Sapphire card (Preferred or Reserve) with a Freedom card (Unlimited or Flex) and/or an Ink Business card. This allows them to pool all their Ultimate Rewards points into one account and then transfer them to a Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred card to unlock higher redemption values for travel. This strategy is incredibly powerful for maximizing earnings.
Step 3: Growing Your Capital - Investing and Savings Options with Chase
Beyond immediate gains from bonuses and rewards, Chase offers various products to help you grow your money over the long term.
Sub-heading 3.1: J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
Chase, through J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, provides a range of investment services.
Self-Directed Investing (You InvestSM Trade): If you prefer to manage your own investments, you can open a self-directed brokerage account. This allows you to trade U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs, and options online with $0 commission.
Advisor-Assisted Investing: For those who want more guidance, J.P. Morgan offers advisors who can help create a personalized financial strategy and investment portfolio tailored to your goals (e.g., retirement planning, wealth building). This may involve various investment products like mutual funds, ETFs, and more.
J.P. Morgan Premium Deposit: For clients with significant cash not immediately needed, this option (available through an eligible J.P. Morgan Wealth Management brokerage account) offers a competitive yield on larger balances (e.g., initial minimum deposit of $100,000).
Key Advantage: The seamless integration between your Chase banking accounts and J.P. Morgan investment accounts allows for easy fund transfers and management.
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Sub-heading 3.2: Savings Accounts and CDs
While Chase is not known for having the highest interest rates on traditional savings accounts compared to online-only banks, they do offer options.
Chase Savings℠ and Chase Premier Savings℠: These accounts offer low annual percentage yields (APYs), typically around 0.01% - 0.02%. While not ideal for significant interest earnings, they provide a convenient place to stash emergency funds or money for short-term goals, especially if you already bank with Chase. You can also set up automatic savings transfers to help build your balance consistently.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Chase offers CDs with various term lengths. These generally offer slightly better interest rates than standard savings accounts, especially for longer terms. Relationship rates may be available if you link your CD to a Chase personal checking account. Be aware that CDs usually have a penalty for early withdrawal.
QuickTip: Ask yourself what the author is trying to say.
Step 4: Beyond the Basics - Other Avenues to Leverage Chase
Chase's extensive network and services offer additional, less direct ways to benefit financially.
Sub-heading 4.1: Home Lending and Mortgages
If you're looking to buy a home or refinance an existing mortgage, Chase Home Lending is a major player.
Variety of Loan Products: They offer conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, and DreaMaker loans. The DreaMaker loan, for instance, can be beneficial for first-time homebuyers with a low down payment requirement (as low as 3%).
Potential Grants and Guarantees: Chase may offer homebuyer grants (up to $7,500 in some cases) and even a "closing guarantee" (e.g., $5,000 if lender delays push your timeline).
Convenience: You can apply online, over the phone, or in person at a branch.
While this isn't directly "making money," securing a competitive mortgage rate can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan, effectively boosting your financial well-being.
Sub-heading 4.2: Business Services and Solutions
For entrepreneurs and small business owners, Chase provides a robust suite of services that can help manage and grow your business, indirectly leading to increased profits.
Business Credit Cards: As mentioned in Step 2, Ink Business cards are excellent for earning rewards on business expenses.
Payment Solutions: Accept debit and credit card payments from customers with Chase's point-of-sale systems, online payment gateways, and invoicing solutions. Efficient payment processing can increase sales and improve cash flow.
Business Loans and Lines of Credit: Access financing for your business needs, whether for expansion, working capital, or equipment.
Payroll Services: Streamline your payroll, saving time and reducing administrative costs.
Fraud Protection Services: Help safeguard your business finances from fraud, preventing financial losses.
Step 5: Continuous Optimization - Staying Engaged and Informed
Making money with Chase is not a one-time event; it's an ongoing process of monitoring and adapting.
Stay Informed on Promotions: Chase frequently updates its promotional offers for new accounts and credit cards. Regularly check their website or sign up for their marketing emails to be aware of the latest deals.
Review Your Credit Card Spending: Periodically analyze your spending habits to ensure you're using the right Chase credit cards for different categories to maximize your reward earnings.
Monitor Investment Performance: If you're investing with J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, regularly review your portfolio's performance and adjust your strategy as needed with your advisor or independently.
Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers from your checking to your savings or investment accounts. Even small, consistent contributions add up significantly over time.
Utilize Digital Tools: Leverage the Chase Mobile® app and online banking portal for easy account management, bill payments, and check deposits. These tools can help you stay on top of your finances and identify opportunities.
By following these steps and actively engaging with Chase's diverse offerings, you can strategically position yourself to make money, save money, and achieve your financial goals.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
How to: Maximize Chase credit card rewards for travel?
To maximize Chase credit card rewards for travel, focus on earning Ultimate Rewards points with cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Pool points from other Chase cards (like Freedom Unlimited or Flex) into your Sapphire account. Then, redeem through the Chase Travel portal for boosted value (1.25x or 1.5x) or, for potentially the highest value, transfer points 1:1 to their airline and hotel partners for premium travel experiences.
How to: Avoid monthly fees on Chase checking accounts?
Monthly fees on Chase checking accounts can typically be avoided by meeting specific criteria, such as maintaining a minimum daily balance, having a certain amount in direct deposits each statement cycle, or maintaining an average daily balance across linked Chase accounts. For college checking, being enrolled in college or having direct deposits often waives the fee.
How to: Earn interest with a Chase savings account?
While Chase savings accounts (like Chase Savings℠) offer relatively low interest rates (APYs), you earn interest simply by holding a balance in the account. To earn slightly more, consider Chase Premier Savings℠ with relationship rates, which requires an eligible linked Chase checking account and sometimes a minimum number of transactions. For higher yields, explore Chase's CD options or J.P. Morgan Premium Deposit if you have significant cash.
How to: Open a Self-Directed Investing account with Chase?
You can open a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account online through chase.com or via the Chase Mobile® app. The process involves completing an application, adding beneficiaries, and funding the account to start trading U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs, and options.
How to: Qualify for a Chase sign-up bonus?
QuickTip: Pause after each section to reflect.
To qualify for a Chase sign-up bonus (for checking, savings, or credit cards), you typically need to be a new customer (or not have had a similar account with Chase recently), open the specific type of account advertised, and meet the required activities within a set timeframe. This often includes setting up direct deposits, depositing "new money," or spending a certain amount on a credit card. Always read the offer's terms and conditions carefully.
How to: Use Chase for business financing?
Chase offers various business financing options, including business loans (unsecured, secured, SBA loans), lines of credit, and specialized loans for certain professions (e.g., dental practice loans). You can apply for these through Chase's business banking services, which involve providing financial documentation about your business.
How to: Apply for a mortgage with Chase?
You can apply for a mortgage with Chase Home Lending online, over the phone, or in person at a branch. You'll typically need to provide personal and financial documents (income, assets, debts) and details about the property. It's often recommended to get pre-approved before seriously shopping for a home.
How to: Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points?
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points between your own eligible Chase credit card accounts (e.g., from a Freedom card to a Sapphire card) or to a household member's eligible Chase card. This is done through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal online, usually by selecting "Combine points." You can also transfer points to Chase's airline and hotel travel partners at a 1:1 ratio.
How to: Leverage Chase's fraud protection services?
Chase provides various fraud protection services, including 24/7 fraud monitoring, Zero Liability Protection (meaning you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges), and the ability to lock your debit or credit card instantly through the Chase Mobile® app if it's lost or misplaced. Regularly monitor your account activity and set up alerts for unusual transactions.
How to: Get a homebuyer grant from Chase?
Chase offers certain homebuyer grants, such as up to $7,500 in some cases, which can help with closing costs. These grants are often associated with specific loan programs like the DreaMaker mortgage and may have income requirements or be subject to state availability. Inquire with a Chase Home Lending advisor about current grant opportunities and eligibility.
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