Chase does not sell U.S. savings bonds directly, but you can buy them through TreasuryDirect or a bank that partners with the Treasury Department

Chase Bank does not offer savings bonds as a product you can purchase through their branches or online banking platform. If you want to buy Series EE or Series I savings bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, you will need to use TreasuryDirect, the official government website where you open an account and purchase bonds electronically. You can also buy paper Series I bonds through your tax refund via the IRS, but this route does not apply to Series EE bonds.

Some banks and brokerages do sell Treasury bonds and notes (which are different from savings bonds), and Chase may offer these longer-term Treasury instruments through their investment services. However, Treasury bonds and notes are not the same as savings bonds — they trade on the secondary market, have different maturity dates, and carry different tax treatment. If you are specifically looking for savings bonds, TreasuryDirect is your only option.

Key Takeaways

  • TreasuryDirect is the only place to buy new Series EE and Series I savings bonds directly from the U.S. Treasury.
  • Chase does not sell savings bonds through its banking or investment platforms.
  • You can buy Series I bonds through your federal tax refund using Form 8888, which some people find simpler than opening a TreasuryDirect account.
  • If you already own Chase savings bonds or other bonds, you can redeem them through TreasuryDirect or by contacting the Treasury Department.
  • Treasury bonds and notes sold by Chase or other brokers are not savings bonds and have different features, terms, and tax rules.

How to open a TreasuryDirect account to buy savings bonds

Go to treasurydirect.gov and click "Open an Account." You will need a Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account (checking or savings). The account setup takes about 10 minutes and is free. Once your account is open, you can buy Series EE bonds (which earn a fixed rate) or Series I bonds (which earn a fixed rate plus an inflation adjustment that changes every six months).

After you set up your TreasuryDirect account, you link a bank account for purchases and redemptions. The minimum purchase is $25 for Series EE bonds and $25 for Series I bonds. You can buy up to $10,000 per calendar year in each series through TreasuryDirect. If you want to buy more than that, you can purchase up to an additional $5,000 in Series I bonds using your federal tax refund.

Buying savings bonds through your tax refund instead

If you file a federal tax return and expect a refund, you can use Form 8888 to direct part or all of your refund into Series I savings bonds. This method bypasses TreasuryDirect entirely and may feel simpler if you do not want to set up another online account. You specify the dollar amount on the form when you file your return, and the IRS sends the bonds to you by mail as paper certificates.

The tax refund route has one major limit: you can only buy Series I bonds this way, not Series EE bonds. You are also capped at $5,000 per year through this method. If you want to buy more than $5,000 in Series I bonds or if you want Series EE bonds, you will need to use TreasuryDirect for the additional amount.

What happens if you already own savings bonds from Chase or another source

If you inherited savings bonds, received them as a gift, or bought them years ago through a bank or employer, you can redeem them through TreasuryDirect if you have the bond serial numbers and issue dates. Log into your TreasuryDirect account, go to "Manage Direct," and follow the redemption steps. The money will be deposited into your linked bank account within one to two business days.

If you have paper savings bonds and do not have a TreasuryDirect account, you can also redeem them at a bank — Chase included. Bring the physical bonds and a valid ID to any Chase branch and ask to redeem them. The bank will verify the bonds, process the redemption, and deposit the money into your account. Some banks charge a small fee for this service, so ask before you hand over the bonds.

Why Chase does not sell savings bonds

Savings bonds are issued and sold only by the U.S. Treasury through TreasuryDirect. Banks like Chase do not have the authority to issue them or sell them directly to customers. The Treasury designed TreasuryDirect to cut out the middleman and let people buy bonds with no fees and no markup. This keeps the process simple and ensures everyone pays the same price.

Chase and other banks do make money selling Treasury bonds and notes on the secondary market — these are bonds that have already been issued and are being resold. But these are not savings bonds. They have different maturity dates, different interest structures, and different tax rules. If you see "Treasury bonds" or "Treasury notes" offered by Chase, those are not the same product as savings bonds.

The difference between savings bonds and Treasury bonds sold by Chase

Series EE and Series I savings bonds are issued by the Treasury and held to maturity (typically 30 years). You buy them at face value or a discount, they earn interest, and you redeem them when you need the money. They are backed by the U.S. government and have no default risk. Interest is exempt from state and local income tax, and federal tax is deferred until you redeem them.

Treasury bonds and notes sold by Chase are traded on the secondary market, meaning they were issued at some point in the past and are now being bought and sold between investors. They have fixed maturity dates (ranging from a few months to 30 years), they pay interest twice a year, and you can sell them before maturity if you need cash. The price you pay depends on current interest rates and market conditions, so you might pay more or less than face value. Federal tax applies to the interest each year, and you cannot defer it until redemption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy savings bonds at a Chase branch in person?

No. Chase branches do not sell savings bonds. You must buy them through TreasuryDirect online or through your federal tax refund using Form 8888. However, Chase branches can redeem savings bonds you already own if you bring the physical certificates and a valid ID.

What is the difference between Series EE and Series I bonds?

Series EE bonds earn a fixed interest rate set by the Treasury and announced every six months. Series I bonds earn a fixed rate plus an inflation adjustment that also changes every six months. If inflation is high, Series I bonds typically earn more. If inflation is low or negative, Series EE bonds may be the better choice. Both require you to hold them at least one year, and both penalize you with a three-month interest loss if you redeem before five years.

Can I redeem my savings bonds early without a penalty?

You can redeem savings bonds anytime after one year, but if you redeem before five years, you lose the last three months of interest. After five years, you can redeem with no penalty. Both Series EE and Series I bonds follow this rule.

Do I have to pay federal income tax on savings bond interest?

Yes, but you can defer it. Federal income tax on savings bond interest is due when you redeem the bond, not each year. You can also choose to report the interest each year if you prefer. State and local income tax does not apply to savings bond interest.

What if I want to buy more than $10,000 in savings bonds per year?

Through TreasuryDirect, you are limited to $10,000 per calendar year in each series (Series EE and Series I). You can buy an additional $5,000 in Series I bonds using your federal tax refund. Beyond that, you cannot buy new savings bonds in that calendar year.