Connect your external bank account in three steps
To link a bank account to Chime, open the Chime app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "Transfer Money," then "Add Bank Account." Enter your routing number and account number from the bank you want to link, verify the two small deposits Chime sends to that account within one to two business days, and confirm the amounts in the app. Once verified, you can transfer money between your Chime account and that external bank account.
The process takes about five minutes to start, but the account won't be fully active until you verify those deposits—usually one to two business days later. You can link up to ten external bank accounts to a single Chime account, so you can move money to or from multiple banks if you need to.
Key Takeaways
- You need your routing number and account number from the external bank, which you can find on a check, your bank's website, or by calling the bank's customer service line.
- Chime sends two small deposits (typically under $1 each) to verify the account is yours; you must confirm the exact amounts in the app to complete the link.
- The verification process takes one to two business days, so plan ahead if you need to transfer money on a specific date.
- Once linked, you can transfer money between your Chime account and that bank account at any time, with transfers typically arriving within one to three business days depending on the direction.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom left of any check from that bank. If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information—most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service number (usually on the back of your debit card) and ask for your routing number and account number; they will give you both over the phone.
Do not confuse your routing number with your account number. The routing number identifies the bank itself and is the same for all customers at that bank. Your account number is unique to you and identifies which specific account at that bank is yours.
What happens during the verification step
After you enter your routing and account numbers, Chime deposits two small amounts of money (usually between 1 and 99 cents each) into that external bank account. These deposits appear within one to two business days. You then return to the Chime app and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits to confirm you have access to the account.
This verification step protects both you and Chime by confirming that you actually own or control the account you are linking. If you do not see the deposits after two business days, check your bank account's transaction history carefully—they may appear as pending or under a different name. If they still do not show up, contact Chime support through the app to request that the deposits be resent.
Transfer timing and limits
Once your external bank account is verified, transfers between Chime and that account are available immediately. However, the time it takes for the money to actually arrive depends on which direction you are sending it. Transfers from your Chime account to an external bank account typically take one to three business days. Transfers from an external bank account into Chime may take longer, depending on your bank's processing speed.
Chime does not publish a daily or monthly transfer limit for linked bank accounts, but your external bank may have its own limits on how much you can send out per day or per month. Check with that bank if you are planning a large transfer. Weekend and holiday transfers may take longer because banks do not process transactions on those days.
Unlinking or removing a bank account
To remove a linked bank account, open the Chime app, go to "Transfer Money," find the account you want to remove, and tap the delete or remove option. The account is unlinked immediately, and you will no longer be able to transfer money to or from it through Chime. Any transfers already in progress will continue to complete.
You might unlink an account if you close that bank, switch banks, or no longer need to transfer money between that account and Chime. Unlinking does not affect your Chime account or any money already in it.
Troubleshooting common linking problems
If the verification deposits do not arrive after two business days, first check your external bank account's transaction history and pending transactions—they may be there but not yet posted. If you still cannot find them, log out of the Chime app completely, wait a few minutes, and log back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show the deposits.
If you enter the deposit amounts incorrectly three times, Chime will lock you out of that linking attempt and you will need to start over. When you restart, Chime will send new verification deposits. If the same account keeps failing to link, contact Chime support through the app and provide your routing number and account number; they can investigate whether your bank is blocking the deposits or whether there is a technical issue on Chime's end.
Some banks flag small deposits from unfamiliar sources as suspicious and may block them. If your bank has strict fraud protection, call that bank's customer service line and let them know you are expecting two small deposits from Chime for verification purposes. This can prevent the bank from blocking the deposits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. You can link any type of bank account—checking, savings, or money market—as long as you have the routing number and account number. The linking process is the same regardless of account type.
What if I link the wrong account by mistake?
If you entered the wrong routing or account number before verification was complete, simply unlink that account and start over with the correct information. If you already verified the wrong account, unlink it and create a new link with the correct account details. No money is lost in this process.
Do I need to link a bank account to use Chime?
No. You can use your Chime debit card and account without linking an external bank account. Linking is only necessary if you want to transfer money between Chime and another bank.
How many bank accounts can I link?
You can link up to ten external bank accounts to a single Chime account. This allows you to move money between Chime and multiple banks if needed.
Is linking my bank account safe?
Linking through the verification deposit method is a standard banking practice used by most financial institutions. Chime does not store your bank password—you only provide your routing and account number, which are the same numbers printed on your checks and visible to anyone who receives a payment from you.