Is Chime a real bank?

Chime is not a chartered bank — it's a fintech company. Banking services are provided through partner banks: The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A., both FDIC-insured. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through these partner banks.

Does Chime charge any fees?

No. Chime charges no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, no minimum balance fees, and no foreign transaction fees. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $2.50. There are no fees at 60,000+ in-network ATMs.

How does Chime SpotMe work?

SpotMe covers overdrafts up to $200 on debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals with no fee. You need at least $200/month in qualifying direct deposits. Your limit starts at $20 and grows over time based on account history. The overdraft is repaid automatically from your next deposit.

What is Chime's savings APY?

Chime pays 2.00% APY on its High Yield Savings Account with no minimum balance and no monthly fee. This is lower than Marcus (4.30%) or Ally (4.00%) but higher than most traditional banks.

Does Chime have a credit card?

Chime offers the Credit Builder secured card — no annual fee, no interest, no credit check. You load money from your Chime checking account onto the card, spend up to that amount, and Chime reports payments to all three credit bureaus.

Is Chime FDIC insured?

Yes. Chime's partner banks — The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. — are FDIC-insured. Your Chime deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor.

Chime Guide 2026: Review, Features, Fees & Comparisons

Chime is a fee-free fintech banking platform with 15+ million users. It offers no-fee checking, SpotMe overdraft coverage up to $200, early direct deposit, 2.00% APY savings, and the Credit Builder secured card — all with no monthly fees. It’s not a bank itself; deposits are held at FDIC-insured partner banks. Here is everything you need to know for 2026.

Chime at a Glance

Feature	Details
Monthly fee	$0
Savings APY	2.00%
Overdraft fee	$0 (SpotMe up to $200)
Overdraft qualifying DD	$200/month
Early direct deposit	Up to 2 days early
Fee-free ATMs	60,000+ (Allpoint + MoneyPass)
Out-of-network ATM fee	$2.50
Foreign transaction fee	$0
Credit Builder card	Yes — no interest, no annual fee, no credit check
Teen banking	No
Physical branches	None
FDIC insured	Yes (via Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank)
Mobile app rating	4.8/5 (iOS), 4.6/5 (Android)

Chime vs. Competitors

Feature	Chime	SoFi	Ally	Current
Monthly fee	$0	$0	$0	$0–$4.99
Savings APY	2.00%	4.00%	4.00%	0.25–4.00%
Overdraft coverage	$200 free	$50 free	$0	$200 free
Overdraft qualifying DD	$200/mo	$1/mo	N/A	$500/mo
Fee-free ATMs	60,000+	55,000+	43,000+	40,000+
Credit building	✅	✅	❌	❌
Teen banking	❌	❌	❌	✅
Foreign transaction fee	$0	1%	$0	3%
FDIC insured	✅	✅	✅	✅

Who Should Use Chime

Situation	Chime?
Wants zero-fee banking	✅ Yes
Has been hit by overdraft fees	✅ Yes
Wants to build credit from scratch	✅ Yes
Wants early direct deposit	✅ Yes
Needs teen banking	❌ No (use Current)
Wants highest savings APY	❌ No (use Ally or SoFi)
Needs CDs or money market	❌ No
Needs branch access	❌ No

All Chime Guides

Chime Review 2026 — Full account review: checking, savings, SpotMe, Credit Builder, pros and cons
Chime vs Current 2026 — Side-by-side comparison of both neobanks on fees, overdraft, savings, and teen banking
Chime Routing Number 2026 — 031101279 (Bancorp) or 103100195 (Stride), no SWIFT, no wire
Chime Fees 2026 — $0 monthly, $0 overdraft (SpotMe up to $200), $2.50 OON ATM
Chime ATM Limit 2026 — $500/day, 60,000+ Allpoint + MoneyPass, no OON reimbursement
Chime Customer Service 2026 — 1-844-244-6363, daily 3AM–11PM PT, in-app chat
Chime Hours 2026 — 3AM–11PM PT daily, no branches, app and ATMs 24/7
Chime Minimum Balance 2026 — $0 minimum, $0 to open, no monthly fee
Chime Mobile Deposit Limit 2026 — $2,000/day, $10,000/30-day, 5PM ET cutoff
Chime Transfer Limit 2026 — $10,000/day ACH, Pay Anyone $1,000/day, no Zelle

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy