Chime Banking Review

Pros Explained

• No monthly fees: Chime provides simple banking options free from monthly maintenance or service fees, along with no minimum balance fees. There are also no foreign transaction fees attached to Chime.
• No overdraft fees: Many traditional banks charge up to $30 for overdraft fees. Chime offers up to $200 fee-free overdraft protection through SpotMe, which is available to customers who receive $200 or more in total monthly direct deposits.
• Early access to direct deposits: Payday is always a good day, but with Chime, it’s possible to receive your money up to two days early.
• Large ATM network: Chime customers have access to more than 60,000 fee-free ATMs across the U.S. via MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven location, and any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATMs.

Cons Explained

• Average savings rate: Chime’s savings account earns 2.00% annual percentage yield (APY), which is considered a high-yield rate. It’s much better than what’s offered by almost all traditional brick-and-mortar banks, but compared with other online banks, Chime’s savings rate still misses the mark.
• Limited services: Chime offers simple banking services, so if you’re looking for a full-service bank with certificates of deposit (CDs), money market accounts, and lending options, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
• Difficult to make cash deposits: Cash deposits are possible at 75,000 retail locations with Chime's cash deposit partners. However, you may pay a fee for this service.
• Out-of-network ATM charges: Chime might charge a fee for every out-of-network ATM transaction.

Who Is Chime Bank Best for?

Chime is a good fit for customers looking for simple banking services with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements. Chime allows customers to:

• Open a savings account with no minimum balance requirement
• Open a checking account with a debit card
• Have access to a large ATM network
• Use their debit card overseas without foreign transaction fees
• Deposit checks electronically through their mobile phone

What Does Chime Offer?

Chime keeps its service options simple, with only two account choices available.

• Savings Account
• Checking Account (with debit card access)

Savings Account

Chime offers only one savings option—a high-yield savings account. Chime’s savings account comes with a savings rate of 2.00% APY, which is good but still lower than the best high-yield savings accounts on the market.

The savings account comes with two optional automatic savings programs, so customers can reach savings goals faster:

• Save When You Spend: When enabled, every purchase you make with your Chime Visa debit card is rounded up to the nearest dollar. The rounded-up amount is transferred to your savings account.
• Save When I Get Paid: Enrolled customers can automatically transfer a percentage of every direct deposit of $500 or more to their savings account.

Depositing cash into your Chime savings account is not a simple process. Customers can either transfer money from their Chime checking account or use the Save When I Get Paid feature.

Checking Account

Chime’s checking account comes with a complimentary Visa debit card. Though it doesn’t come with traditional check-writing privileges, you can write checks using the Chime checkbook feature. You simply choose to pay bills through the checkbook feature, and Chime will send a check on your behalf, typically arriving in three to nine business days. There’s no limit on how many checks you can send per day. This feature is only eligible for checks mailed to recipients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Customers can use their debit card without paying a fee at more than 60,000 ATMs across the U.S. There are also no foreign transaction fees charged for using your Chime debit card internationally. Unfortunately, using your debit card at out-of-network ATMs can yield a charge per transaction. ATM withdrawals are limited to $515 per day.

To combat overdraft fees, Chime offers SpotMe, an overdraft protection service that allows eligible customers to avoid overdraft fees on their spending accounts. SpotMe is available for customers who receive monthly direct deposits totaling at least $200. Chime uses your direct deposit total from the previous 34 days to determine eligibility. Instead of charging a fee, Chime uses your next deposit to cover the overdraft amount.

Chime Customer Service

Chime embraces mobile banking as evidenced through its mobile phone app, available on iOS and Android. Through the app, customers can:

• View accounts
• Deposit checks electronically
• Send money to other Chime customers
• Freeze your card if it is lost or stolen
• Pay bills
• Transfer funds between accounts
• Receive transaction notifications 

Chime offers several ways to contact its customer service when you need help. Besides logging in to the mobile app, customers can also get support from Chime by email (support@chime.com) or by calling +1-844-244-6363, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Chime’s banking services are provided via a partnership with Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A. Both banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which means your deposits are insured by the federal government up to $250,000.

How to Bank Through Chime

Chime makes it easy to open an account. To get started, simply head to Chime’s website or download its mobile app. You’ll need to enter some basic personal information and set up an online account. There is no credit check associated with opening a Chime account.

Account holders must be at least 18 years old. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to open a Chime account.

Methodology

Investopedia is dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of banks. We collected over 20 data points across more than 80 banks—including products available, interest rates, fees, and accessibility—to ensure that our content helps users make the right decision for their savings and banking need.