A method of making a semiconductor chip assembly includes providing a semiconductor chip, a metal base, an insulative base and a conductive trace, wherein the chip includes a conductive pad, the metal base is disposed on a side of the insulative base that faces away from the chip, the conductive trace includes a contact terminal that extends through the insulative base, and the pad is exposed through an opening that extends through the metal base and the insulative base and is spaced from the contact terminal, then forming a connection joint that contacts and electrically connects the conductive trace and the pad, and then removing a portion of the metal base that contacts the contact terminal. Preferably, the opening extends through an insulative adhesive that attaches the chip to the conductive trace.