Yes, you can transfer money from Chime to another bank account in one to three business days
Chime lets you move money out to any U.S. bank account you own or control. The transfer goes through the ACH network, which is the same system banks use for direct deposit and bill payments. You initiate the transfer from your Chime app or online dashboard, name the receiving bank and account, and the money arrives within one to three business days. There is no fee from Chime for outgoing transfers.
The receiving bank may take an extra day to post the funds to your account, depending on when they process ACH deposits. If you transfer on a Friday evening, for example, the money might not show up until Tuesday or Wednesday because the ACH network does not process on weekends or federal holidays.
Key Takeaways
- Outgoing transfers from Chime to another bank are free and take one to three business days through the ACH network.
- You need the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank to set up the transfer.
- Chime does not process transfers on weekends or federal holidays, so timing your transfer matters if you need the money by a specific date.
- If a transfer fails, Chime will return the money to your Chime account within one to three business days and show you the reason in your transaction history.
How to set up an outgoing transfer in the Chime app
Open the Chime app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Select "Transfer Money" or "Send Money," then choose "Transfer to Another Bank." Enter the name of the receiving bank, the routing number, and your account number at that bank. Chime will ask you to verify the account by name—make sure the name matches what the receiving bank has on file.
Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. Chime will show you the expected arrival date based on when you initiated the transfer. Once you confirm, the transfer is submitted to the ACH network. You will see the transaction in your Chime transaction history right away, but the status will show as "pending" until the receiving bank accepts it.
What information you need from the receiving bank
Before you start a transfer, have the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank ready. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank. You can find it on a check, by calling the bank, or by searching the bank's name on the Federal Reserve's routing number lookup tool.
Your account number is usually printed on your checks or visible in your online banking portal at the receiving bank. Do not confuse your account number with your debit card number. If you enter the wrong routing number or account number, the transfer will fail and bounce back to Chime within one to three business days.
Timing: when transfers actually arrive
Chime submits transfers to the ACH network on business days only. If you initiate a transfer on a Monday morning, it enters the network that day and the receiving bank typically receives it by Wednesday. If you transfer on a Friday after 5 p.m. Eastern time, Chime may not submit it until Monday, which means the receiving bank might not see it until Wednesday or Thursday.
The receiving bank then has up to one business day to post the funds to your account. Some banks post ACH deposits the same day they receive them; others wait until the next business day. Check your receiving bank's ACH posting schedule if you need the money by a specific date. Federal holidays (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day) also pause ACH processing, so transfers initiated before a holiday weekend may take longer.
What happens if a transfer fails
A transfer fails most often because the routing number or account number is wrong, or because the account name does not match what the receiving bank has on file. When this happens, the receiving bank rejects the transfer and sends it back to Chime. Chime will credit the money back to your Chime account within one to three business days and show you the rejection reason in your transaction history.
If you see a failed transfer, check the account details you entered against your receiving bank's records. Call the receiving bank if you are unsure about the routing number or account number. Once you have the correct information, you can initiate a new transfer from Chime.
Transferring to accounts you do not own
Chime allows you to transfer money to bank accounts in other people's names, but the receiving bank may flag or reject the transfer if the account holder has not authorized it. For example, if you try to send money to your spouse's account at a different bank, the receiving bank may require written authorization or proof that the account holder consents to receiving transfers from you.
If you are sending money to someone else's account and the transfer is rejected, contact the receiving bank to ask what documentation they need. Some banks allow transfers to joint account holders or family members without extra steps; others require a signed form. Chime cannot override the receiving bank's rules, so the receiving bank's policy is what matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Chime to a savings account at another bank?
Yes. The transfer process is the same whether the receiving account is a checking or savings account. You will need the routing number and account number for the savings account, and the transfer will take one to three business days through the ACH network.
Is there a limit on how much I can transfer out of Chime?
Chime does not publish a specific transfer limit, but your account may have limits based on your account history and verification status. If a transfer is rejected because it exceeds a limit, contact Chime support through the app to ask about increasing your limit or to find out why the transfer was blocked.
What if I need the money faster than one to three business days?
ACH transfers cannot be rushed. If you need cash immediately, withdraw money from an ATM using your Chime debit card, or use a wire transfer through the receiving bank (though the receiving bank may charge a fee for incoming wires). Some banks also offer same-day ACH, but Chime does not currently offer this service for outgoing transfers.
Can I cancel a transfer after I have submitted it?
If the transfer is still pending and has not been accepted by the receiving bank, contact Chime support through the app right away and ask them to recall it. Once the receiving bank has accepted the transfer, it cannot be cancelled—you would have to ask the receiving bank to send the money back to Chime.
Do I pay taxes on money I transfer to another bank account?
No. Transferring your own money between your own accounts is not a taxable event. Taxes only apply to income, interest, or investment gains, not to moving money you already own from one place to another.