Yes, you can connect Chime to another bank account, but the method depends on whether you want to move money in, move money out, or do both

Chime itself is not a traditional bank—it is a financial technology company that issues debit cards and holds your money through partner banks. When you want to connect Chime to another bank account you already have elsewhere, you are setting up a way to transfer money between them. Chime supports this through external transfers, which you initiate from the Chime app or website.

The connection works in both directions. You can link an external bank account to receive money from Chime (a pull), or to send money to Chime (a push). The setup takes a few minutes, but the actual transfer timing depends on which direction the money moves and what day of the week you initiate it.

Key Takeaways

  • You add an external bank account through the Chime app by providing your routing number and account number, which Chime verifies before transfers begin.
  • Transfers from Chime to another bank typically arrive within one to two business days, though weekend transfers may take longer.
  • Transfers from another bank into Chime can take up to five business days depending on the sending bank's processing speed.
  • Chime does not charge fees for external transfers, but your other bank may charge you for sending money out.

How to add an external bank account in the Chime app

Open the Chime app and go to the Money section, then select Transfer. Choose "Add a bank account" and enter the routing number and account number from the bank you want to connect. Chime will ask whether this account belongs to you or someone else—select "my account" if it is yours.

Chime then verifies the account by making two small test deposits (usually under one dollar each) to that account within one to two business days. You will see these deposits appear in your external bank account's transaction history. Once they arrive, return to the Chime app, select the account you added, and enter the amounts of those two deposits. Chime confirms the match and activates the connection.

This verification step is a security measure. It proves you control the external account before Chime allows transfers to or from it. Until you complete it, you cannot move money.

Moving money from Chime to another bank

Once your external account is verified, you can transfer money out of Chime. In the Chime app, go to Money, then Transfer, select the external account, enter the amount, and confirm. The money leaves your Chime balance when ready, but it does not arrive at the other bank right away.

Transfers initiated on a weekday (Monday through Friday) before the bank's cutoff time—usually 5 p.m. Eastern—typically arrive the next business day. A transfer sent on Friday evening or over the weekend will not begin processing until Monday and may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. Chime does not charge a fee for this transfer, but your external bank may charge you a fee for receiving an external deposit, depending on your account type.

Moving money from another bank into Chime

To pull money from an external bank into Chime, you can initiate the transfer from the Chime app using the same Money > Transfer menu. Select "Transfer in" and choose the external account. Enter the amount and confirm.

Transfers from other banks into Chime take longer because they move through the ACH network, which processes in batches. A transfer sent on a weekday typically takes two to three business days to arrive. If you send it on a Friday or weekend, it enters the queue on Monday and may not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday. Some banks process ACH transfers more slowly than others, so five business days is not unusual.

Your external bank may charge you a fee for sending money out via ACH. Chime does not charge you to receive it.

What information you need to connect an account

You will need the routing number and account number from the bank you want to connect. Both appear on the bottom left of a check from that account. If you do not have a check, log into your external bank's website or app and look for account details or settings. Most banks display both numbers there.

Do not confuse the routing number with the account number. The routing number identifies the bank itself and is the same for all customers at that bank. The account number is unique to your specific account. Entering the wrong number will cause the verification deposits to go to the wrong place, and you will not be able to complete the setup.

Limits on how much you can transfer

Chime does not publish a single daily or monthly transfer limit that applies to all users. Limits vary based on your account history and how long you have been a Chime customer. New accounts typically have lower limits than established ones. If you try to transfer more than your current limit, the app will reject the transfer and show you what the limit is.

If you need to move a large amount, you can make multiple transfers on different days, or contact Chime support through the app to ask whether your limit can be raised. Chime reviews limit increases on a case-by-case basis and does not may provide an increase.

Removing a connected bank account

If you no longer want to use a connected external account, you can remove it from the Chime app. Go to Money, Transfer, select the account, and look for a delete or remove option. Removing the account stops future transfers but does not affect money you have already sent or received.

If you removed an account by mistake, you can add it again using the same process. You will need to wait for the verification deposits again, so the account will not be active for transfers for one to two business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect a joint bank account?

Yes, you can connect a joint account as long as you have the routing and account numbers. Chime does not verify who owns the account—it only verifies that the account exists and that you can access it. If the account belongs to someone else, tell Chime that during setup by selecting "someone else's account" instead of "my account."

What happens if I enter the wrong routing or account number?

Chime's verification deposits will go to the wrong account, and you will not receive them. You will not be able to complete the verification step. Delete the account from the app and add it again with the correct numbers. The verification deposits from the first attempt may eventually be returned to Chime, but you should not count on recovering them.

Can I transfer money from Chime to a savings account at a different bank?

Yes. The transfer process is the same whether the external account is a checking account, savings account, or money market account. The routing and account numbers work the same way. Timing and fees depend on the receiving bank, not the account type.

Why is my transfer taking longer than one business day?

Transfers sent on Friday evening, weekends, or holidays enter the processing queue on the next business day. A Friday evening transfer may not arrive until Wednesday. Some banks also process transfers more slowly than others. If a transfer has been pending for more than five business days, contact Chime support through the app.

Does Chime charge a fee to transfer money to another bank?

No. Chime does not charge you to send money out or receive money in. Your external bank may charge you a fee for receiving an external ACH deposit or for sending money out, depending on your account agreement with them.