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Chime Guides

Chime Basics: How to Move Money into Chime

Here's a quick rundown of how to move money into Chime and how to start unlocking perks with direct deposit.

Chime Team • August 19, 2022

In This Article

  1. How do I set up direct deposit?
  2. Benefits of setting up direct deposit with Chime
  3. 4 more ways to move money into Chime
  4. Welcome to Chime 💚

Whether you’re new to Chime or just haven’t had the chance to fully explore the app yet, you might be wondering: “How do I deposit money into Chime?” or “How do I transfer money into Chime?

Well, step right up, because we’ve made the process as simple as possible.

Better banking for everyone

Fee-free overdraft up to $2001
No hidden fees2
Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit3

How do I set up direct deposit?

If you set up direct deposit with Chime, you’ll start unlocking more awesome features in the app. See below for more details.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Log into the Chime app, and tap on the gear icon to open Settings.
  2. Scroll to Account Information and tap on “Set up direct deposit.”
  3. Check your email and print the attached form.
  4. Complete, sign, and submit the form to your employer. You should start receiving direct deposits within two payment cycles!

As long as your employer offers direct deposit as an option, it’s a cinch to set up. If you’re out of work, you can also receive unemployment benefits via direct deposit. Don’t have a printer? You can use HelloSign to complete, sign, and email the form to your employer — all from your phone.

Alternatively, if you have access to your payroll or benefits account online, you can set up direct deposit by logging in there and entering your Chime Checking Account routing and account numbers (also located under Settings —> Account Information).

P.S.: If you’d like a little more guidance, this article dives deeper into the details of setting up direct deposit with Chime. 🤑

Benefits of setting up direct deposit with Chime

Not only is direct deposit a simple and hassle-free way to get paid, but when you do it with Chime, you’ll be eligible to unlock a slew of extra perks, such as:

  • Get paid early¹: Gain access to your paycheck up to two days early
  • SpotMe®²: Overdraft up to $200 on purchases and cash withdrawals³ (as long as you’re receiving at least $200 per month in qualifying direct deposits).
  • Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit CardChime members have been able to increase their credit score by an average of 30 points.4
  • Save When I Get Paid5: Automatically save a portion of each paycheck, and watch your rainy day fund grow!
  • Mobile check deposit6: Easily deposit paper checks via the Chime mobile app.

4 more ways to move money into Chime

Not eligible or interested in setting up direct deposit with Chime? No problem. Here are three other ways to move money into Chime.

1. Make an instant transfer7

This option is available the first time you add money to your Chime Checking Account. All you have to do is link an external bank account, and add your debit card number, then you’ll be able to add at least $200–instantly.

2. Transfer from a major bank

This option works if your account is at one of the following banks: Bank of America, Capital One 360, Charles Schwab, Chase, Citi, Fidelity, Navy Federal, PNC Bank, SunTrust, TD Bank, USAA, US Bank, or Wells Fargo.

Here’s how:

  1. Log into the Chime app and click “Move Money” —> “Transfers.”
  2. Enter the username and password for your other bank (don’t worry; it’s encrypted!).
  3. Transfer your money: up to $10,000 per day and $25,000 per month for most members. You’ll have access to the funds within five business days.

3. Transfer from another account

If you’re using a bank that’s not listed above, or you want to transfer a larger amount of money, worry not. You can also move money from your old bank.

Here’s how:

  1. Log into your old bank’s website or app.
  2. Look for a menu item that says something along the lines of “transfer funds” or “add external account.”
  3. When prompted, add your Chime Checking Account number and bank routing number (which you’ll find under Settings within the Chime app).

While the transfer time will depend on your old bank’s policies, you’ll usually see the money in your Chime Checking Account within a few business days.

4. Deposit cash*

Depositing cash into your Chime Checking Account is quick and easy. We’ve teamed up with Walgreens to bring you free cash deposits at any of 8,500+ locations. That’s more walk-in locations than you’d have using any bank in the US.

Cash deposits can also be made at more than 75,000 other retailer locations, including Walmart, CVS, and 7-Eleven stores.

Here’s how to deposit cash:

  • Log into the Chime app and click “Move Money” → Deposit Cash
  • The map will direct you to the nearest walk-in retail location.
  • Hand your cash and Chime Visa® Debit Card to the cashier.  You can deposit up to 3 per day $1,000.00 per load; $1,000.00 per day; $10,000.00 per calendar month (subject to any retailer imposed limits).

* The retailer that receives your cash will be responsible to transfer the funds for deposit into your Chime Checking Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens.

☝️ Heads up: As these third parties might impose their own fees or transaction limits, be sure to get all the info before proceeding.

Wondering about wire transfers? While we don’t allow those yet, we hope to add them in the near future.

Welcome to Chime 💚

Whichever way you choose to move money into your Chime account, we’re just happy to have you join the community! And no matter where you’re at in your money journey, we’re here for you every step of the way.

Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Chime Visa® Credit Builder Card and the Chime Visa® Cash Rewards Card are issued by Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see back of your Card for its issuing bank.

While Chime doesn’t issue personal checkbooks to write checks, Chime Checkbook gives you the freedom to send checks to anyone, anytime, from anywhere. See your issuing bank’s Deposit Account Agreement for full Chime Checkbook details.

By clicking on some of the links above, you will leave the Chime website and be directed to a third-party website. The privacy practices of those third parties may differ from those of Chime. We recommend you review the privacy statements of those third party websites, as Chime is not responsible for those third parties' privacy or security practices.

Opinions, advice, services, or other information or content expressed or contributed here by customers, users, or others, are those of the respective author(s) or contributor(s) and do not necessarily state or reflect those of The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. (“Banks”). Banks are not responsible for the accuracy of any content provided by author(s) or contributor(s).

1 Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

2 Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month and Visa debit card activation. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See terms and conditions.

3 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven location or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. Other fees such as third-party and cash deposit fees may apply.

4 Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.

5 Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your Savings Account.

6 Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member's direct deposit enrollment status.

7 There may be times when instant transfers may be delayed due to network timing or other factors beyond our control.

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