Yes, you can transfer money from Chime to another bank account

Chime lets you send money to any U.S. bank account you own or have permission to use. The transfer goes to the other bank, not to another person — you control where your own money goes. Most transfers take one to three business days, though some arrive the same day depending on which bank receives the money.

You have three main ways to move the money: through Chime's app using the receiving bank's routing and account numbers, by setting up a transfer from the other bank's website (pulling the money instead of pushing it), or by using a service like PayPal or Square Cash as a middle step. The first two are free and built into Chime. The third costs money and is only useful if the other bank won't accept a direct transfer for some reason.

Key Takeaways

  • Chime transfers to other banks are free and take one to three business days through the Chime app or the receiving bank's website.
  • You will need the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank to start a transfer from Chime.
  • Transfers from the other bank's side (pulling money from Chime) sometimes arrive faster than transfers you push from Chime.
  • Chime does not charge a fee for outgoing transfers, but the receiving bank might charge a deposit fee if you are moving a very large amount.
  • If you transfer to the wrong account by mistake, contact Chime support right away — they may be able to recall the money before it settles.

How to transfer money using the Chime app

Open the Chime app and look for a button labeled "Transfer" or "Send Money" — the exact wording changes with app updates, but it is usually on the home screen or in a menu. Tap it and select "Transfer to Bank" or "External Transfer." Chime will ask you to enter the routing number and account number of the bank you want to send money to.

The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank itself. The account number is unique to your account at that bank. You can find both on a check from that account (the routing number is on the left side at the bottom, the account number is in the middle), or you can log into that bank's website and find them in the account details section. Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. Chime will show you when the money should arrive.

The first time you transfer to a new bank account, Chime may hold the transfer for a day or two while they verify the account is real and belongs to you. After that, transfers to the same account usually go through without delay. You can set up as many external accounts as you need.

Transferring from the other bank's side instead

Instead of pushing money out of Chime, you can log into the other bank's website or app and pull the money from Chime. This is called an ACH transfer — it is the same system Chime uses, but you are starting it from the receiving bank instead. To do this, you will need Chime's routing number (021000021) and your Chime account number.

Many people find this method faster because the receiving bank processes it when ready on their end, even though the actual movement of money still takes one to three business days. If you are moving money to a bank that is part of the same network as Chime, the transfer might arrive the same day. Check with your other bank about whether they offer same-day ACH transfers.

This method also gives you a record in two places — your Chime account and your other bank's account — which can be useful if there is ever a question about whether the money arrived.

How long transfers actually take

Chime says transfers take one to three business days. In practice, most arrive within one business day if you start the transfer before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a weekday. If you transfer after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, Chime processes it the next business day, which can push arrival to day two or three.

The receiving bank's speed matters too. Some banks post ACH transfers as soon as they receive them. Others batch them and post once a day, usually in the morning. If you are moving money to a large national bank, arrival is usually predictable. If you are moving to a smaller bank or credit union, call them first and ask how long ACH deposits typically take.

Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays. A transfer you start on Friday afternoon might not arrive until Wednesday, because Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (if it is a holiday) do not count.

What to do if you transfer to the wrong account

If you realize you entered the wrong routing number or account number before the transfer has settled, contact Chime support right away through the app or by calling the number on the back of your card. Chime can sometimes cancel a transfer that has not yet left their system, which is usually within a few hours of when you started it.

Once the money reaches the other bank, it is much harder to get back. The receiving bank has to contact the sending bank and request a reversal, which can take weeks. If the account number was wrong, the money might bounce back to Chime automatically after a few days, but you cannot count on it. The safest move is to double-check the routing and account numbers before you confirm the transfer.

If the money does go to the wrong place and does not come back on its own, you may have to file a dispute with Chime and provide proof that you sent it to the wrong account. Keep screenshots of the transfer confirmation and the account details you entered.

Fees and limits on transfers

Chime does not charge you a fee to transfer money out to another bank. The transfer is free on Chime's side. However, the bank receiving the money might charge a deposit fee if the amount is very large — this is rare, but some banks charge a fee for deposits over a certain amount. Check with your other bank before you transfer a large sum.

Chime does not publish a limit on how much you can transfer in a single transaction, but most banks cap ACH transfers at $10,000 to $25,000 per day for security reasons. If you need to move more than that, you may have to split it into multiple transfers on different days. Contact Chime support if you are trying to transfer a very large amount and want to know what their specific limit is.

Some banks also limit how many transfers you can make per month. Chime does not have a published monthly limit, but if you are making dozens of transfers, contact support to make sure you are not hitting a restriction on the receiving bank's side.

When to use a third-party service instead

Most of the time, transferring directly from Chime to your other bank is the fastest and cheapest option. But if the other bank will not accept an ACH transfer for some reason — which is rare — you can use PayPal, Square Cash, Venmo, or a similar service as a middle step. You transfer from Chime to PayPal, then from PayPal to your other bank.

This method costs money because PayPal and similar services charge a fee to move money to a bank account, usually 1% of the amount or a flat fee like $0.25. It also takes longer because you are making two transfers instead of one. Only use this method if a direct transfer genuinely will not work.

If you are trying to send money to another person, not to your own account at another bank, you should use Chime's peer-to-peer transfer feature or a service like Venmo instead. Those are designed for person-to-person payments and work differently than bank transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Chime transfers work with any U.S. bank account — checking, savings, money market, or any other type. You just need the routing number and account number of the savings account you want to transfer to. The process is exactly the same as transferring to a checking account.

What if I do not know the routing number of my other bank?

You can find it on a check from that account (bottom left corner), on your bank's website in the account details section, or by calling the bank's customer service number. Many banks also let you search their routing number on their website by entering your city or branch location. Do not guess — entering the wrong routing number sends your money to the wrong bank.

Can I set up automatic recurring transfers from Chime to another bank?

Chime's app does not have a built-in recurring transfer feature, but you can set up automatic transfers from the other bank's side. Log into your other bank's website, add Chime as an external account, and create a recurring ACH transfer. The other bank will pull the money from Chime on whatever schedule you choose.

Why is my transfer taking longer than three days?

Check whether you started the transfer after 5 p.m. Eastern time or on a weekend — Chime processes those the next business day. Also count only business days; transfers do not move on weekends or federal holidays. If it has been more than three business days since you started the transfer, contact Chime support to check the status.

Can I transfer money from Chime to a bank account in another country?

No. Chime only supports transfers to U.S. bank accounts. If you need to send money internationally, you will have to use a service like Wise, OFX, or your bank's own international transfer service, and you will pay a fee for it.