Yes, you can link your bank account to Chime, and it takes about five minutes
You can connect an external bank account to your Chime account through the Chime mobile app or website. Once linked, you can transfer money between your Chime account and that external bank account. The process requires your routing number and account number from the external bank, and Chime will verify the connection by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into that account within one to two business days.
Linking an external account is useful if you want to move money out of Chime to pay bills from another bank, or if you want to fund your Chime account from savings held elsewhere. The linked account does not have to be at the same bank where you hold your primary checking account—it can be at any U.S. bank or credit union that participates in the ACH network.
Key Takeaways
- You need your external bank's routing number and your account number to link an account to Chime.
- Chime verifies the link by depositing two small test amounts; you must confirm those amounts in the app to complete the connection.
- Transfers between Chime and a linked external account typically take one to three business days.
- You can link multiple external accounts to a single Chime account, but each one must be verified separately.
- Linking an account does not give Chime access to withdraw money without your permission—you initiate all transfers yourself.
How to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number appear on the bottom left of any check from your external bank account. The routing number is the first nine digits; your account number follows. If you do not have checks, log into your external bank's website or app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there.
If you cannot find them online, call your bank's customer service line (the number is usually on the back of your debit card) and ask for your routing number and account number. Have your account open and ready to verify your identity before you call.
Steps to link an account in the Chime app
Open the Chime mobile app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "Transfers" or "Move Money," then choose "Link Bank Account" or "Add External Account." Enter your external bank's routing number and your account number in the fields provided. Chime will ask you to name the account (for example, "Savings at First National") so you can identify it later.
After you submit the information, Chime will send two small deposits to your external bank account within one to two business days. Log into your external bank account, find those two deposits, and note their exact amounts (they will be something like $0.23 and $0.17). Return to the Chime app, go back to the linking process, and enter those two amounts to verify the account. Once verified, the account is fully linked and ready to use.
How long transfers take between accounts
A transfer from your Chime account to a linked external bank account typically takes one to three business days. A transfer from your external bank account into Chime can take the same timeframe, though some banks process ACH transfers faster than others. Weekend and holiday transfers are not processed until the next business day.
If you need money faster, Chime also offers Instant Transfer to certain external accounts for a small fee (usually $0.25 to $2.00 per transfer, depending on the receiving bank). Instant Transfers can arrive within minutes rather than days. You can enable Instant Transfer in the app settings once your account is linked.
Linking multiple external accounts
You can link more than one external bank account to your Chime account. Each account must be verified separately using the two-deposit method. This is useful if you have savings at one bank and a money market account at another, and you want to move money between them and Chime without logging into multiple apps.
To add a second account, follow the same steps as the first: go to Transfers, select Add External Account, enter the routing and account numbers, wait for the test deposits, and verify the amounts. There is no limit to how many accounts you can link, though Chime recommends keeping the list organized by naming each one clearly.
What happens if verification fails
If you enter the wrong amounts when verifying the test deposits, Chime will ask you to try again. You have a limited number of attempts (usually three) before the linking process times out. If this happens, you can start over by selecting Add External Account again.
If the test deposits never arrive at your external bank, the issue is usually that you entered the routing number or account number incorrectly. Double-check both numbers against your bank statement or your bank's website. If they are correct and the deposits still do not appear after two business days, contact Chime support through the app or website—they can investigate whether the account information was rejected by your bank.
Security and permissions when you link an account
Linking an account to Chime does not give Chime the right to withdraw money from that account on its own. You must initiate every transfer yourself through the Chime app. Chime cannot pull money without your explicit action, and you can unlink an account at any time by going to your transfer settings and selecting the account to remove.
Your routing and account numbers are encrypted when you submit them, and Chime stores them securely. If your Chime account is compromised, an unauthorized person could potentially transfer money out of your linked account, which is why it is important to use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication on your Chime account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account or only a checking account?
You can link either a savings account or a checking account. The process is the same regardless of account type. Some savings accounts may have transfer limits set by your bank (for example, six transfers per month), so check your external bank's rules before linking.
What if my bank is not in the U.S.?
Chime only supports linking to U.S. banks and credit unions that participate in the ACH network. International accounts cannot be linked directly. If you have a U.S. account, you can link that instead.
Do I have to pay a fee to link an account?
Linking an account is free. Standard transfers between your Chime account and a linked external account are also free and take one to three business days. Instant Transfers cost $0.25 to $2.00 depending on the receiving bank.
Can I transfer money to someone else's linked account?
No. Linked accounts are only for moving money between your own Chime account and your own external accounts. To send money to another person, use Chime's peer-to-peer transfer feature (Chime to Chime) or a service like ACH transfer through your external bank.
What if I forget which account I linked?
Open the Chime app, go to Transfers, and look at your linked accounts list. Each account shows the name you gave it and the last four digits of the account number. If you need the full routing number, you can view it in the account details by tapping on the linked account.