Transfer money from Chime using the mobile app, online banking, or by linking your external bank account
You can move money out of Chime in three ways: initiate an ACH transfer from Chime to another bank account you own, use a peer-to-peer transfer service like Cash App or Venmo if you're sending to another person, or withdraw cash at an ATM and deposit it elsewhere. The fastest and most direct route is an ACH transfer through Chime's app or website, which typically takes one to three business days and costs nothing.
The method you choose depends on where the money is going and how quickly you need it there. If you're moving your own money to a savings account at another bank, ACH is standard. If you're sending money to someone else, peer-to-peer apps may be faster. If you need cash immediately, the ATM route works but costs you the withdrawal and any deposit fees the receiving bank might charge.
Key Takeaways
- ACH transfers from Chime to another bank account take one to three business days and are free through Chime's app or website.
- You will need the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank before you start the transfer.
- Chime does not charge transfer fees, but the receiving bank may charge a deposit fee depending on the account type.
- Peer-to-peer apps like Cash App and Venmo work for sending money to other people, but ACH is the standard method for moving your own money between your accounts.
- Weekend and holiday transfers may take longer because banks do not process ACH on those days.
Setting up an ACH transfer from the Chime app
Open the Chime mobile app and tap the Send Money or Transfer option (the exact label varies by app version). Select Transfer to Bank or External Account. You will be asked to enter the routing number and account number of the bank where you want the money to go. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your receiving bank; you can find it on a check, call the bank, or search the bank's website. The account number is the unique identifier for your specific account at that bank.
Enter the amount you want to transfer and review the details before confirming. Chime will show you the expected arrival date, which is typically one to three business days from the date you initiate the transfer. Once you confirm, the transfer is submitted to the ACH network and cannot be cancelled immediately—if you need to stop it, contact Chime customer service right away, though success depends on whether the transfer has already left Chime's system.
Transferring money through Chime's website
Log into your Chime account at chime.com using your username and password. Navigate to the Transfers or Send Money section in the main menu. Click Transfer to External Bank or Add Bank Account if this is your first time sending money to that particular bank. Enter the routing number and account number, then specify the amount and confirm.
The web interface works identically to the app—transfers process through the ACH network and take the same one to three business days. Some users find the website easier for larger transfers or when they need to review the details on a larger screen before submitting.
What information you need before starting a transfer
Gather these details about the receiving bank account before you begin:
- The routing number of the receiving bank (nine digits)
- Your account number at the receiving bank
- The account type (checking or savings) if the system asks
- The amount you want to transfer
If you do not have this information, call the receiving bank's customer service line or log into that bank's website. Many banks print the routing number on the bottom left of checks. If you do not have checks, the bank's website usually has a section labeled "Routing Number" or "Bank Information" that lists it publicly.
How long transfers take and what delays mean
Standard ACH transfers from Chime take one to three business days. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you initiate a transfer on a Friday evening, it will not begin processing until Monday, and it may not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday. If you initiate it on a holiday, processing starts the next business day.
Delays beyond three business days are uncommon but can happen if the receiving bank is processing a high volume of transfers, if there is a discrepancy in the account information you provided, or if the receiving bank's system is temporarily down. If your transfer does not arrive within five business days, contact Chime customer service with the transfer confirmation number (Chime provides this when you submit the transfer) and ask them to investigate.
Fees and what to expect from the receiving bank
Chime does not charge you a fee to transfer money out of your account. However, the receiving bank may charge a deposit fee depending on the account type. Most checking and savings accounts do not charge incoming transfer fees, but some specialty accounts (like certain investment or business accounts) may. Contact the receiving bank before you transfer if you are unsure.
The receiving bank will deposit the funds into the account number you provided. If you entered the wrong account number, the money will go to that account instead, and you will need to contact both banks to recover it. Double-check the account number before confirming any transfer.
Using peer-to-peer apps to send money to other people
If you are sending money to another person rather than to your own account at another bank, peer-to-peer apps like Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal may be faster. These apps let you link your Chime account and send money to another user's account in minutes. The receiving person can then transfer that money to their own bank account, though that second step takes one to three business days.
Peer-to-peer transfers are useful for splitting bills, paying back a friend, or sending money across the country instantly. However, they are not the right tool for moving your own money between your own accounts—use ACH for that instead. Peer-to-peer apps also typically charge a fee if you want the money to arrive instantly rather than waiting one to three days, so check the app's fee structure before you send.
What to do if a transfer fails or goes to the wrong account
If Chime rejects your transfer, the app will show an error message explaining why. Common reasons include an incorrect routing number, a mismatched account number, or insufficient funds in your Chime account. Verify the routing and account numbers against your receiving bank's records and try again.
If the transfer went through but arrived in the wrong account because you entered the wrong number, contact Chime immediately with the transfer confirmation number. Chime can sometimes recall the transfer if it has not yet been accepted by the receiving bank. If the receiving bank has already accepted it, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to reverse the deposit and return the funds to Chime. This process can take several business days and may not always succeed, so preventing the error by double-checking the account number is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Chime to a joint account at another bank?
Yes. Use the routing number and account number of the joint account just as you would for any other account. The transfer will deposit into that account regardless of whose name is on the Chime account, as long as the account number and routing number are correct.
What if I need the money to arrive faster than three business days?
ACH transfers cannot be expedited—one to three business days is the standard timeline. If you need cash immediately, withdraw from a Chime ATM and deposit it at the receiving bank in person. Some banks offer same-day ACH for transfers initiated before a certain time (usually 4 p.m. ET), but Chime does not currently offer this service.
Can I set up a recurring transfer from Chime to another bank?
Chime's app does not have a built-in recurring transfer feature. You can set up a recurring transfer through the receiving bank instead—most banks let you pull money from external accounts on a schedule. Alternatively, you can manually initiate a transfer from Chime each time you need to move money.
What happens if I transfer money to a closed account?
If the receiving account has been closed, the receiving bank will reject the deposit and return the funds to Chime. This typically takes five to ten business days. Chime will credit the money back to your account automatically, though you should verify it arrived. If it does not appear within ten business days, contact Chime with the transfer confirmation number.
Do I need to tell Chime before I transfer money out?
No. Chime does not require advance notice for transfers. However, if you are transferring a large amount and your account has fraud protections enabled, Chime may flag the transfer and ask you to confirm it. If that happens, respond to the notification in the app to proceed.