You can transfer money from your Chime savings account to your Chime checking account, to another bank, or to another person using Chime's built-in tools

Chime offers three main ways to move money out of your savings account. The fastest and most common is a transfer to your own Chime checking account, which happens instantly within the app. You can also send money to someone else's bank account using Chime's peer-to-peer transfer feature, or move funds to an external bank account you own. Each method has different speed and limit considerations, and some require setup before you can use them.

The method you choose depends on where the money needs to go and how quickly. If you are moving money between your own Chime accounts, you can do it in seconds. If you are sending to another person or to a bank outside Chime, the timeline and any fees depend on the specific transfer type.

Key Takeaways

  • Transfers between your own Chime checking and savings accounts happen instantly and have no limit on how much you can move at once.
  • Peer-to-peer transfers to other Chime users are free and instant, but transfers to non-Chime bank accounts take one to three business days and may have daily limits.
  • You must add an external bank account to your Chime profile before you can transfer money to it, which requires your routing and account numbers.
  • Chime does not charge fees for transfers, but your receiving bank may charge a fee for incoming ACH transfers.

Transferring between your Chime checking and savings accounts

This is the simplest transfer and happens instantly. Open the Chime app, go to your savings account, and select the transfer or move money option. Choose your Chime checking account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The money appears in your checking account immediately.

There is no daily limit on how much you can transfer between your own Chime accounts, and Chime does not charge a fee. You can move money back and forth as many times as you want in a single day. This makes it useful if you need to move money to cover a debit card purchase or a bill payment from your checking account.

Sending money to another Chime user

If the person you are sending to also has a Chime account, you can use Chime's peer-to-peer transfer feature. In the app, select Send Money, enter the recipient's phone number or email address, and the amount. The transfer is instant and free, and both of you will see a confirmation in the app.

This method works only if the other person has set up their Chime account and linked it to the phone number or email you are using. If they have not, the transfer may fail or be delayed. Chime does not publish a daily limit for peer-to-peer transfers, but the recipient's account may have deposit limits set by Chime based on their account history.

Moving money to an external bank account

To transfer to a bank account outside Chime, you must first add that account to your Chime profile. In the app, go to Settings, select Linked Accounts, and choose Add Bank Account. Enter the routing number and account number for the external bank, and Chime will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under one dollar) into it. You then confirm those amounts in the Chime app, which typically takes one to two business days.

Once verified, you can transfer money to that account. Go to your savings account, select Transfer, choose the external bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. The transfer uses the ACH network and takes one to three business days to appear in the external account. Chime does not charge a fee, but your receiving bank may charge a fee for incoming ACH transfers—check with your bank first.

Daily limits for transfers to external accounts vary by account age and history. New Chime accounts may have lower limits, which increase over time as you use the account. Chime does not publish exact limits, but you can check your limit in the app before you attempt a transfer.

What to do if a transfer fails or is delayed

If a transfer between your Chime accounts fails, check that you have enough money in your savings account and that your account is in good standing. Try again in a few minutes. If the problem continues, contact Chime support through the app.

If a transfer to an external bank account is delayed beyond three business days, the money may have been rejected by the receiving bank. This can happen if the account number or routing number is incorrect, if the account is closed, or if the receiving bank flagged the transfer as suspicious. Check the account details in your Chime app and contact the receiving bank to confirm the account is active. If the transfer was rejected, Chime will return the money to your savings account within one to two business days.

For peer-to-peer transfers that fail, the most common cause is an incorrect phone number or email address. Confirm the recipient's contact information and try again. If the recipient's Chime account has restrictions or is closed, the transfer will fail and the money will return to your account.

Understanding ACH transfer timing and holds

When you transfer to an external bank account, your money travels through the ACH (Automated Clearing House) network, which processes transfers in batches. Chime typically initiates the transfer the same business day you request it, but the receiving bank controls when the money actually appears in the account. Most banks post ACH transfers within one to three business days, but some may take longer during weekends or holidays.

The receiving bank may also place a temporary hold on the deposit, especially if it is large or if the account is new. This is not a Chime decision—it is the receiving bank's fraud prevention. The hold usually lifts within one to two business days, but contact the receiving bank if it lasts longer.

Limits and restrictions on Chime savings transfers

Chime savings accounts are subject to federal limits on certain types of withdrawals. However, transfers initiated by you through the app or online are not subject to these limits. You can transfer as much as you want to your Chime checking account or to an external bank account, as long as you have the money in your savings account and do not exceed your daily transfer limit for external accounts.

Your daily limit for transfers to external banks depends on your account age, history, and Chime's assessment of your account. New accounts typically start with a lower limit, which increases after 30 to 90 days of account activity. You can see your current limit in the app before you transfer. If you need to move more than your limit allows, you can split the transfer across multiple days or contact Chime support to request a limit increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to transfer money from Chime savings to an external bank?

One to three business days. Chime sends the transfer the same day you request it, but the receiving bank controls when it posts. Weekends and holidays may add extra time. Check with your receiving bank if it takes longer than three business days.

Can I transfer money from Chime savings to PayPal or Venmo?

Not directly from savings. You would need to transfer from your Chime savings to your Chime checking account first, then link your Chime checking account to PayPal or Venmo. The transfer to checking is instant, so the total time is just the time PayPal or Venmo takes to process the deposit.

What happens if I transfer more than my daily limit?

The transfer will be rejected and the money stays in your savings account. You will see an error message in the app. You can try again the next day or split the transfer across multiple days. Contact Chime support if you need a higher limit.

Do I pay a fee to transfer money out of Chime savings?

Chime does not charge a fee for any transfer type. However, your receiving bank may charge a fee for incoming ACH transfers. Check your receiving bank's fee schedule before you transfer.

Can I cancel a transfer after I have sent it?

Transfers between Chime accounts are instant and cannot be cancelled. Transfers to external banks can sometimes be cancelled within a few hours if the receiving bank has not yet processed it. Contact Chime support immediately if you need to cancel an external transfer.