How to Link a Debit Card to Your Chime Account

Chime is a financial technology company that provides mobile banking services, offering a convenient way to manage your money. Linking an external debit card to your Chime account allows for seamless transfers, enabling you to move funds from another bank directly into your Chime Checking Account.

Preparing to Link a Card

Before initiating the linking process, it is important to understand why you might connect an external debit card to your Chime account. This connection primarily facilitates adding funds to your Chime account from another bank. Gather specific information from your external debit card beforehand. You will need the full debit card number, its expiration date, the Card Verification Value (CVV), and the billing address associated with that card.

Chime supports linking debit cards for funding purposes. It does not accept credit cards, international cards, Chime debit cards, or certain prepaid cards, such as government benefits cards or gift cards. For successful linking, the name and address on your Chime account must precisely match the details registered with your external debit card.

Linking a Debit Card in the Chime App

To link your debit card within the Chime mobile application, there are two primary navigation paths to access the linking feature. You can open the Chime app, tap the “Move” tab, then select “From,” choose “Add another account,” and finally select the “Debit Card” option. Alternatively, you can open the Chime app, navigate to “Settings,” select “Linked Accounts,” choose “Link a New Account,” and then select “Debit Card.”

After selecting the debit card option, you will be prompted to enter the card details. This includes the full debit card number, the expiration date, the CVV security code, and the billing ZIP code associated with your external card. After entering this information, you will tap to link your debit card, and the app may guide you through an in-app confirmation process, potentially involving a text code for identity verification. A successful link will be confirmed within the app, allowing you to proceed with transfers.

Transferring Money with a Linked Card

After successfully linking your external debit card to your Chime account, you can initiate money transfers to fund your Chime Checking Account. Navigate to the “Move” section within your Chime app and then tap the “Transfer money” button. From the transfer page, you will select your newly linked external debit card as the source of funds, enter the desired transfer amount, and then confirm the transaction details.

Transfers made using a linked debit card are processed instantly, usually within a few minutes. However, occasional delays can occur due to network timing or other external factors. Chime implements specific transfer limits, which are based on your Checking Account history and are visible within your app under “Profile,” “Account info,” and “View limits”. These limits apply to transfers with external debit cards and are sometimes shared with other instant transfer features, such as “Pay Anyone” transactions.