If you’re looking for a simple way to add money to Chime, you’ve come to the right place. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to link a bank account or debit card so that you can start spending and saving.
How to add money to Chime? There are four ways you can add money to Chime:
- Direct deposit
- A bank transfer using the Chime app or website
- A bank transfer initiated from a linked external account
- Through mobile check deposit
- Cash Deposit
Choosing what method to use heavily relies on the customer. Different situations can dictate the process you will opt to use.
All the above methods allow for free transactions except for the cash deposit, where the third-party retailers impose their own fees.
Now, let’s break down the different ways of debiting your Chime account
Table of Contents
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is where you will provide your account number and routing number to the person sending you money, for example, an employer.
The funds go directly to your spending account. You will need to know both your account number and the routing number.
The routing number is found in the Chime app or on the Chime website. Just navigate to the settings and move money sections.
You can also apply to have a direct deposit enrollment form emailed to you with all the details you require.
With direct deposit, you can only receive money if it is sent under your provided name; otherwise, they will reverse the transaction.
Direct deposit offers relatively faster funds access than traditional banking because of it’s electronic deposits such that clients can get their money up to 2 days earlier.
Bank Transfer from Chime Website or Chime App
A person first has to link their spending account to an external account via their app or the Chime website.
Here are the steps when using the app.
- Go to settings
- Click on the link bank account
- Choose your external bank from the list provided
- Enter the login information for the other bank
For the chime website, the process is just slightly different.
- Log in to Chime.com
- Choose “Move Money”
- Go to transfer funds
- Scroll/ arrow down and click on the Link another bank account choice
- Choose your external bank from the list
- Enter the other bank’s login credentials
After linking your Chime account to the external account, you’re restricted to sending up to $200.00 daily and $1000 every month.
The banks that Chime supports include; Chase bank, Fidelity Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, Sun Trust, Citi, and Navy Federal & Charles Schwab.
Bank transfer from an External Account
You can also deposit funds to Chime using other banks that are not listed above, using their websites or app.
Start by logging in and then go to the transfer funds section. From there, use the routing number and account number to finalize the transaction, just like with direct deposit.
The transactions should be completed in up to 5 business days, depending on the bank’s policies.
Deposit Cash
Sometimes Chime might be your first bank, and you just need to load cash into your account directly. In such a situation, the bank allows clients to deposit cash through retailers.
Chime works with various retailers to ensure there are enough locations for users from all over the country to load money into their cards.
They cooperate with retailers in more than 90,000 locations all over the U.S
The major retailers Chime works with include:
- Walmart
- 7-eleven
- Walgreens
- Duane Reade
- Dollar general
- Family dollar
- Rite aid
- Speedway
- Holiday station stores
- CVS
- GMP investments
- Circle K stores
- Royals farms
- Kwik Trip Inc
- Cumberland Farms Corp
- Sheetz Incorp
- Pilot Travel Centers
There are other retailers who can load your card but are not listed above. In this case, they will hang a sign saying that they do cash deposits or load chime cards.
When you are unsure about a location, look for that sign or just ask the cashiers directly.
So, how do you do it?
First, make a stop at any of the stated locations in whatever branch you are closest to. Then, ask their cashier to load your card either through cash or a check. They will complete the process, and then you can spend your money using the card.
Here’s the process if you don’t have a Chime Card:
- Log in to the app, click on the “Move Money Option,” and then proceed to the “Deposit Cash” option.
- There should be a map to show you the closest retail locations; Select one and speak to the cashier.
- Tell the cashier you want to deposit cash into your Chime Account
What are the Limitations of Cash Deposits?
Depositing cash through retailers is useful sometimes but has imposed restrictions that any Chime banker could benefit from knowing.
First, unlike the other methods above, where transactions are free, depositing to your account through retailers gives them the right to impose their fees.
These fees will vary across different locations. Furthermore, they can be either be a fixed fee or based on a percentage.
The retailers will also impose restrictions on how much you can deposit per day, week, and even month. Chime only allows three deposits in an account within 24 hours. So, it is advisable to gather all your money and deposit it all at once.
Chime also restricts the amount of money you can deposit on any single day to $1000. They also have a $10,000 limit on deposits for every month, so you might want to look elsewhere if you’re willing to deposit more monthly.
Final Thoughts
Choosing what method to use to add money heavily relies on your needs. Some methods allow quicker transactions, such as the cash deposit, while others will take up to 5 business days.
One of the perks that make Chime such as reliable solution is the no hidden charges, no matter what method you use, except cash deposit, which relies on the retailers.
Remember that if you frequently use Cash deposits too frequently, your transaction costs will make owning a Chime account expensive due to the third-party charges.
So, assess your options and find what applies to your situation and complete the transaction.