Yes, you can link your bank account to Chime, and it takes about five minutes
Chime lets you connect an external bank account—one at another bank or credit union—so you can move money in and out of your Chime account. You do this through the Chime app or website by providing your external bank's routing number and your account number. Chime uses Plaid, a third-party service, to verify the connection and confirm you own the account. Once linked, you can transfer money between accounts, set up direct deposit from your employer to your external bank, or move funds to cover a purchase.
The entire process is free and does not require you to call your bank or fill out paper forms. Chime handles everything through the app, and most people complete it in one sitting.
Key Takeaways
- Link an external bank account in the Chime app by going to Transfers, selecting your bank, and entering your login credentials through Plaid.
- Verification usually happens instantly, but Chime may ask you to confirm two small deposits (under $1 each) that appear in your external account within one to two business days.
- Once linked, you can transfer up to $10,000 per transaction and up to $25,000 per day between your Chime account and external bank account.
- Transfers between Chime and a linked bank account take one to three business days, not instant, so plan ahead for bill payments or emergencies.
- If you remove a linked account, Chime keeps a record of it for 90 days and you can re-link it without starting over.
How to link your bank account step by step
Open the Chime app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select Transfers, then tap Link Bank Account. Chime will ask you to search for your bank by name or routing number. Once you find it, you will be taken to Plaid's login screen, where you enter your external bank's username and password. Plaid verifies your identity and confirms the account is real—Chime never sees your bank password.
After you log in through Plaid, you will see a list of accounts you hold at that bank. Select the one you want to link. Chime will then attempt instant verification. If it succeeds, your account is linked immediately and you can start transferring money. If instant verification fails, Chime will send two small test deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your external bank account.
Check your external bank account one to two business days later. You will see both deposits listed. Go back to the Chime app, tap the linked account, and enter the exact amounts of both deposits. Once you confirm them, your account is verified and fully linked.
What happens after your account is linked
Once linked, you can transfer money from your Chime account to your external bank account, or from your external bank account to Chime. Transfers are not instant—they take one to three business days to complete, depending on your bank and the time you initiate the transfer. If you send money on a Friday evening, it may not arrive until Tuesday. Plan accordingly if you are moving money to pay a bill.
Chime limits how much you can move in a single transfer: up to $10,000 per transaction. You can also transfer up to $25,000 per day across all your transfers. These limits exist to prevent fraud and are set by Chime, not by your external bank. If you need to move more than $25,000 in a day, you will have to wait until the next calendar day to make another transfer.
You can link up to 10 external bank accounts to Chime. This is useful if you have accounts at multiple banks and want to consolidate money into Chime or distribute it out. Each linked account appears separately in the Transfers section of the app.
When instant verification fails and you need the test deposits
Instant verification fails for several reasons: your bank may not work with Plaid, your login credentials may be slightly wrong, or Chime's connection to your bank may be temporarily down. When this happens, Chime sends two small test deposits instead. This process takes longer but is more reliable.
The two deposits will show up in your external bank account within one to two business days. The amounts are random and small—often $0.23 and $0.57, for example. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear. Go back to the Chime app, find the linked account that is pending verification, and enter both amounts. Chime confirms them instantly and your account is fully linked.
If you do not see the deposits after two business days, contact Chime support through the app. They can resend the deposits or troubleshoot why your bank is not receiving them. Do not guess at the amounts—entering incorrect numbers will fail verification and you will have to wait for a new pair of deposits.
Removing a linked account and relinking later
If you want to unlink a bank account, go to Transfers in the Chime app, find the account, and select the option to remove it. The account is deleted from your active links immediately. However, Chime keeps a record of it for 90 days. If you change your mind and want to link the same account again within that 90-day window, you can do so without going through verification again—Chime will recognize it and reactivate the link instantly.
After 90 days, if you want to link that account again, you will have to go through the full verification process a second time. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access if someone gains temporary control of your Chime account.
Fraud protection and security when linking accounts
Chime never stores your external bank password. When you enter your credentials through Plaid, you are logging into your bank directly, and Plaid only confirms that the login worked and that the account exists. Chime receives a token—a secure reference—but not your actual password. This means even if Chime's systems were compromised, your bank password would not be exposed.
Once an account is linked, Chime monitors transfers for fraud. If you initiate a transfer that looks unusual—a very large amount, a transfer to a newly linked account, or a transfer at an odd time—Chime may pause it and ask you to confirm it is legitimate. This can add a few hours to the transfer time, but it protects you from unauthorized transfers if your Chime account is hacked.
If you notice a transfer you did not authorize, report it to Chime immediately through the app. Chime can reverse pending transfers, and for transfers that have already completed, Chime will work with your external bank to recover the money. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account or only a checking account?
You can link either. Chime does not distinguish between checking and savings accounts—if your bank allows transfers from that account, Chime can link it. Some banks restrict transfers from savings accounts, so if linking fails, check your bank's transfer policies.
What if my bank is not showing up when I search for it?
Plaid supports most major banks and many smaller ones, but not all. If your bank does not appear, contact Chime support to ask if they can add it. In the meantime, you may be able to link using your bank's routing number instead of its name, or you can transfer money manually through your bank's own system.
Do I have to link a bank account to use Chime?
No. You can use Chime without linking an external account. You can receive direct deposits, use your Chime debit card, and send money to other Chime users without linking anything. Linking is only necessary if you want to move money to or from another bank.
How long does a transfer actually take?
Chime says one to three business days. Most transfers complete within one business day if you send them before 5 p.m. ET on a weekday. Transfers sent after 5 p.m. or on weekends may not start processing until the next business day, which can push the arrival to day two or three.
Can I link my Chime account to PayPal or Venmo?
Yes, but you link through those apps, not through Chime. In PayPal or Venmo, you add your Chime debit card number or link your Chime account directly. This is different from linking an external bank account in Chime itself.