Yes, you can transfer money from Chime to your bank account

Chime lets you move money out to an external bank account through a few different routes. The most common is an ACH transfer, which pulls money from your Chime account and deposits it into a checking or savings account at another bank. This takes one to three business days and costs nothing. You can also use a debit card withdrawal at an ATM that your external bank operates, or request a wire transfer if you need the money the same day—though wire transfers typically cost $15 to $25.

The method you choose depends on how fast you need the money and whether your external bank is part of a network Chime recognizes. Most people use ACH transfers because they are free and automatic once you set them up.

Key Takeaways

  • ACH transfers from Chime to another bank account take one to three business days and have no fee.
  • You need your external bank's routing number and your account number to set up an ACH transfer.
  • Wire transfers move money the same business day but cost $15 to $25 and require you to call Chime or use the app.
  • ATM withdrawals are instant and free if your external bank is in the Chime network, but you can only withdraw what you can carry in cash.

Setting up an ACH transfer in the Chime app

Open the Chime app and go to the Transfers section. Select "Transfer to External Account" or "Add Bank Account," depending on whether you have already linked an external account. If this is your first time, you will enter your external bank's routing number, your account number at that bank, and the account type (checking or savings).

Chime will verify the account by depositing two small amounts—usually under $1 each—into your external account within one to two business days. Once those deposits land, you log back into Chime, confirm the amounts, and the account is verified. After that, you can transfer money whenever you want.

To actually move money, select the verified external account, enter the amount, and confirm. The transfer will leave your Chime account immediately, but it will not arrive at your external bank until one to three business days later. Chime will send you a notification when the transfer is initiated and another when it lands.

Wire transfers for same-day movement

If you need money to reach your external bank the same business day, you can request a wire transfer through the Chime app or by calling Chime's customer service line. Wire transfers cost between $15 and $25 per transfer, depending on whether you are sending money domestically or internationally.

To initiate a wire, you will need your external bank's routing number, your account number, and the name on the account. Chime processes domestic wire requests submitted before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day the same day. If you submit after 2 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, the wire will process the next business day.

Your external bank may also charge a receiving fee for incoming wires, typically $10 to $15. Check with your bank before you send a wire so you know the total cost.

Using ATM withdrawals to access cash

Chime offers fee-free ATM access through a network of over 60,000 ATMs nationwide, including machines at MoneyLion, Allpoint, and most major bank networks. You can withdraw cash instantly using your Chime debit card, and the money is available right away—no waiting for a transfer to process.

The catch is that you can only withdraw what you can physically carry, and you are limited by daily ATM withdrawal limits, which vary by ATM operator but are often $500 to $1,000 per day. If you need to move a large sum to your external bank account, an ACH transfer is more practical than multiple ATM withdrawals.

If your external bank operates its own ATM network, you can withdraw cash there and deposit it into your external account in person. This is instant but requires a trip to a branch or ATM.

What happens if the transfer fails or takes longer

ACH transfers occasionally fail if you entered the routing number or account number incorrectly, if the account is closed, or if your external bank rejects the transfer for other reasons. Chime will notify you if a transfer fails and will return the money to your Chime account within one to three business days.

If a transfer is taking longer than three business days, check the Chime app for the transfer status. If it shows as pending, wait another business day or two—delays can happen during weekends, holidays, or when your external bank is processing a high volume of transfers. If it has been more than five business days and the status still shows pending, contact Chime customer service to investigate.

Wire transfers rarely fail, but if one does, Chime will attempt to return the funds to your Chime account. This can take several days because the wire has to be reversed through the banking system.

Linking multiple external accounts

Chime lets you link more than one external bank account, which is useful if you have accounts at multiple banks or want to split transfers between accounts. Each account must be verified separately using the two-deposit method, which takes one to two business days per account.

Once verified, you can select which external account to transfer to each time you initiate a transfer. You can also delete a linked account from the app at any time, though Chime may retain the information for a period for security reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for money to show up in my external bank account?

ACH transfers take one to three business days. Wire transfers take the same business day if submitted before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday. ATM withdrawals are instant. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Monday or Tuesday.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?

Chime does not publish a single transfer limit, but most ACH transfers are capped at $10,000 to $25,000 per transaction, depending on your account history and Chime's fraud detection. Wire transfers may have different limits. Contact Chime if you need to move more than your limit allows.

What if I enter the wrong routing number?

The transfer will likely fail and the money will return to your Chime account within one to three business days. Chime will notify you of the failure. Double-check your external bank's routing number before you transfer—you can find it on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank directly.

Can I transfer money from Chime to a savings account at another bank?

Yes. When you link your external account, you select whether it is a checking or savings account. ACH transfers work the same way for both account types, and the money will deposit into whichever account you specify.

Do I have to verify my external account every time I transfer?

No. Once you verify an account using the two-deposit method, you can transfer to it as many times as you want without re-verifying. Verification is a one-time setup step.