Yes, you can transfer money from Chime to another bank account in one to three business days
Chime lets you send money to any U.S. bank account you own or control. The transfer goes through the ACH network (Automated Clearing House), which is the same system banks use for direct deposit and bill payments. You initiate the transfer from your Chime app or online dashboard, and the money lands in the receiving account within one to three business days—usually one business day if both banks process it quickly.
The transfer is free. Chime does not charge a fee to move money out. The receiving bank also will not charge you to receive an ACH transfer, though some banks may hold the funds for a day or two before making them available.
You can transfer as much as you want in a single transaction. Chime does not publish a per-transfer limit, but the ACH network itself has no hard cap on transaction size. If you are moving a very large amount, contact Chime support first to make sure the transfer will not trigger a fraud hold.
Key Takeaways
- Transfers from Chime to another bank account use the ACH network and take one to three business days, with no fee from Chime.
- You need the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank to set up the transfer.
- Chime will ask you to verify a small deposit to the receiving account before allowing large transfers, a security step that adds one to two business days.
- If a transfer fails, Chime will return the money to your Chime account within one to three business days.
- Weekend and holiday transfers are processed on the next business day, so a Friday transfer may not land until Monday or Tuesday.
How to set up a transfer from the Chime app
Open the Chime app and tap the Money Movement or Transfer tab (the exact name varies by app version). Select Send Money or Transfer Out. You will see two options: transfer to an existing bank account or add a new one.
If you are adding a new account, enter the receiving bank's name, the routing number, and your account number at that bank. Chime will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into it over the next one to two business days. You will need to confirm those amounts in the Chime app before you can transfer larger sums. This verification step protects both you and Chime from sending money to the wrong account.
Once the account is verified, enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. The money will leave your Chime account immediately and arrive at the receiving bank within one to three business days. You can check the status of the transfer in the app under your transaction history.
What information you need from the receiving bank
Before you start a transfer, gather two pieces of information from the bank where you want the money to land. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank or credit union. The account number is the number of the specific account at that bank.
You can find both on a check from that account (routing number is on the left side of the bottom, account number follows it). You can also log into the receiving bank's website or app and look for account details, or call the bank's customer service line and ask for the routing and account numbers.
Make sure you have the correct account number. If you enter a wrong digit, the transfer may go to someone else's account at the same bank, or it may fail and bounce back to Chime. Either way, you will lose time waiting for the money to return.
Why transfers take one to three business days
ACH transfers are not instant. The ACH network processes transfers in batches, usually several times per day. When you initiate a transfer from Chime, it enters a queue. Chime sends the batch to the ACH network, which then sends it to the receiving bank. Each step takes time, and if you transfer on a weekend or holiday, the clock does not start until the next business day.
Most transfers land within one business day if both Chime and the receiving bank process quickly. Some take two or three days if either bank is slow or if the transfer is flagged for review. You cannot speed up an ACH transfer once it is sent—there is no "rush" option.
If you need money to move faster, Chime offers Instant Transfer to debit cards at some banks (Chime charges $0.25 per transfer for this service). Instant transfers land within minutes, but they only work to debit cards, not to bank accounts, and not all banks participate.
What happens if a transfer fails or gets rejected
A transfer can fail for several reasons: wrong account number, account closed, insufficient funds in your Chime account, or the receiving bank flagging it as suspicious. When a transfer fails, the receiving bank sends a rejection code back through the ACH network to Chime. Chime then returns the money to your Chime account, usually within one to three business days.
You will see a notification in the Chime app saying the transfer failed, along with a reason code. Common reasons include "invalid account number," "account closed," or "unauthorized user." Read the reason carefully—it tells you what to fix before you try again.
If the reason is unclear, contact Chime support through the app. They can see the full rejection details and tell you whether the problem is on your end (wrong account number) or the receiving bank's end (account closed). Do not re-send the transfer until you know what went wrong.
Fraud protection and security holds
Chime may place a temporary hold on a transfer if it looks unusual—for example, if you are sending a very large amount, transferring to a new account for the first time, or sending money at an odd time. When this happens, Chime will notify you in the app and may ask you to confirm the transfer or provide additional information.
These holds are a security feature. They give Chime time to verify that you authorized the transfer and that the receiving account is legitimate. A hold usually lasts a few hours to one business day. Once Chime clears it, the transfer proceeds normally.
If you believe a transfer was made without your permission, report it to Chime immediately through the app or by calling their support line. Chime can attempt to recall the transfer if it has not yet landed at the receiving bank. If the money has already arrived, you will need to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return it.
Transferring money on weekends and holidays
The ACH network does not process transfers on weekends or federal holidays. If you initiate a transfer on Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, Chime will hold it and send it on the next business day. This means a Friday evening transfer might not land until Tuesday morning.
Plan ahead if you need money by a specific date. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, initiate the transfer at least one business day earlier. Chime's app will show you when a transfer is scheduled to be sent if you initiate it outside business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Chime to a savings account at another bank?
Yes. ACH transfers work to any type of account—checking, savings, money market, or other. You need the routing number and account number, and the account must be in your name or a name you are authorized to transfer to. The transfer takes the same one to three business days.
What is the maximum amount I can transfer from Chime?
Chime does not publish a per-transaction limit. The ACH network itself has no hard cap. However, if you transfer a very large amount, Chime may hold it for review or ask you to confirm it is authorized. Contact Chime support if you plan to move more than a few thousand dollars at once.
Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?
It depends on timing. If you cancel within a few hours of sending it, before Chime submits the batch to the ACH network, the transfer may be stopped. Once the ACH network has the transfer, you cannot cancel it—you can only ask the receiving bank to return the money if it lands. Contact Chime support immediately if you need to cancel.
Do I pay taxes on money I transfer to another bank account?
No. A transfer between your own accounts is not taxable income. Taxes apply only to money you earn or receive as a gift or payment. Moving your own money from one account to another has no tax consequence.
Can I transfer money from Chime to an account at a credit union?
Yes. Credit unions use the ACH network just like banks do. You will need the credit union's routing number and your account number there. The transfer works the same way and takes one to three business days.