Chime Partners With FairPlay to Embed Fairness Into Its Algorithmic Decisions

May 22, 2024

FairPlay, the world's first Fairness-as-a-Service company, today announced a customer relationship with Chime, a financial technology platform founded on the belief that everyday people deserve access to helpful, transparent and fair banking services to unlock financial progress™.

Chime will implement FairPlay's solutions in the underwriting models powering the financial products available through its platform. This will enable Chime to address more members’ core needs: namely accessing short-term liquidity and building credit.

Founded in 2020, FairPlay works with financial services companies to provide real-time fairness testing, monitoring and optimization solutions that identify blind spots in algorithms and provide automated "second-looks" to improve the decisioning systems impacting people’s lives. FairPlay’s tools are designed to drive growth, reduce risk, keep pace with ever-evolving regulatory requirements, and improve positive outcomes for consumers.

“Chime continues to disrupt the status quo in financial services for the benefit of everyday Americans. Partnering with FairPlay is consistent with that ethos, as it helps address the systemic biases pervasive in certain technologies. Leveraging the use of this innovative technology will enable us to serve more members and address their most pressing financial needs,” said Xiongwen Rui, Chief Risk Officer, Chime.

“FairPlay tools get models into production faster and more responsibly by automating fairness testing, monitoring model biases, and identifying opportunities to be fairer within one’s risk tolerance,” said Kareem Saleh, founder and CEO of FairPlay. “Chime is a leader in using technology to increase financial access and liquidity for millions of Americans. We’re pleased to help Chime in its mission to deliver better, fairer financial products.”

For more information about FairPlay, visit FairPlay.ai. For more information about Chime, visit Chime.com.

About FairPlay AI
FairPlay AI is the world's first "fairness-as-a-service" solution helping financial companies mitigate algorithmic bias, without increasing risk. Built by some of world's foreknown leaders in AI, FairPlay's technology serves financial institutions, lenders, insurance carriers, marketers, and others, identifying blind spots in their algorithms and providing automated "second-looks" to improve decisioning systems. FairPlay's tools help lenders identify more good loans and increase the fairness of their portfolios, resulting in higher profits and fairer portfolios all without higher risk. For more information about FairPlay and its products, visit FairPlay.ai.

About Chime
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank, founded on the premise that basic banking services should be helpful, transparent, and fair. Chime aims to profit with consumers, and not from them and has a business model that doesn’t rely on consumer fees such as overdraft, monthly service, or minimum balance fees. For additional information: www.chime.com.

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FAQs

Is ChimeⓇ a bank?

Chime is not a bank. Chime is a financial technology company that partners with The Bancorp Bank,

N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. to offer banking products like checking and savings accounts. Learn more in Chime's guide to no-fee checking accounts.

How many members does Chime have?

Chime serves millions of Americans. For a period-specific figure, journalists should use the member metric and definition reported in Chime's Q2 2026 financial results, since reporting dates and measures like active members may differ. Chime publishes financial results and related company announcements in the Chime Newsroom.

Does Chime offer financial planning tools for budgeting, saving, and investing?

Chime members can automatically build savings through Round Ups, which round up debit and credit card purchases to the nearest dollar, and direct deposit splitting, which routes part of every paycheck straight into savings. (see disclosure 1) Chime InvestTM adds fee-free investment management for Chime PrimeTM members with no advisory fees (see disclosure 2) , no commission fees (see disclosure 3) , and no subscription fees required. Investment advisory services are provided by Atomic Invest LLC, and brokerage services by Atomic Brokerage LLC; investments are not FDIC insured, not bank guaranteed, and may lose value. (see disclosure 4)

These are self-directed financial tools rather than individualized financial planning, tax, or investment advice, and feature availability may depend on a member's account or membership tier.

Does Chime have a credit card?

Chime offers the secured Chime Visa® Credit Card, designed to help eligible members build credit (see disclosure 5) . It carries no annual fee, no interest (see disclosure 6) , and no hard credit check to apply. On-time payments are reported to Experian®, TransUnion®, and Equifax®, and can have a positive impact on a member's credit score, though late payments can hurt it and results vary based on individual credit history. (see disclosure 7)

Does Chime give cash back, and how does Chime cash back work?

Yes. Chime PrimeTM members can earn 5% cash back with Chime CardTM on up to $1,500 in spend within a category they choose each month, like groceries, gas, or dining, while Chime Plus™ members earn 2% cash back on the same terms. (see disclosure 8) Cash back is only earned on transactions that meet the applicable offer terms, and rates, categories, limits, and posting times may vary by offer and membership tier.

What is Chime PrimeTM?

Chime Prime is Chime's top-tier membership, unlocked when a member receives $3,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits to their Chime Checking Account in a 34-day period. (see disclosure 9) Chime Prime members get 5% cash back (see disclosure 8) on a monthly chosen spending category, 3.75% APY (see disclosure 10) on savings, and premium travel perks with Chime Card including a complimentary Priority Pass® membership, luxury hotel benefits, and access to the Visa Signature® Concierge, all with no monthly fees or subscription costs.

Learn more on Chime's membership tiers page.

Does Chime have rewards, and what rewards does it offer?

Yes. With qualifying direct deposits, members earn 5% cash back as a Chime Prime™ member or 2% cash back as a Chime Plus™ member on up to $1,500 of eligible Chime Card™ purchases in a category they choose monthly. (see disclosure 8) Chime Prime members also earn 3.75% APY (see disclosure 10) on savings, while Chime Plus members earn 2.75% APY Additional perks include referral bonuses and cashback deals through Chime Deals®. (see disclosure 11)

What is Chime InvestTM?

Chime Invest is Chime's commission-free investing feature, giving Chime PrimeTM members a way to invest alongside their everyday checking and savings accounts with no advisory fees (see disclosure 12) , no commission fees (see disclosure 3) , and no subscription fees. Investment advisory services are provided by Atomic Invest LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, with brokerage services provided by Atomic Brokerage LLC, a member of FINRA/SIPC; investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. (see disclosure 4)

Does Chime help with taxes, and how can I get my tax refund faster?

Chime members can file taxes for free (see disclosure 13) through the Chime app, and a federal tax refund sent by direct deposit can arrive up to 5 days early. (see disclosure 14) Chime doesn't provide tax advice, so members should check with a tax professional for guidance specific to their situation. (see disclosure 15)