What Type of Bank Is Chime and Its Features Explained

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Chime is a digital bank that operates as a fintech company, not a traditional brick-and-mortar bank. It's a mobile-only bank that offers a range of financial services.

Chime is a type of bank known as a "neobank" or "challenger bank", which means it's a new, online-only bank that's disrupting the traditional banking industry. Neobanks often have lower fees and more user-friendly features than traditional banks.

Chime's mobile app allows users to manage their accounts, pay bills, and transfer money on the go. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

What Is Chime?

Chime is an online bank account that was founded in 2013 by Ryan King and Chris Britt. It's a digital-only bank with no physical location.

Chime was created to provide almost free banking to its users, which means it doesn't have any monthly fees or overdraft fees. This is a significant advantage for those who want to manage their finances effectively.

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Chime uses the ARM network, which is fairly large, and offers multiple savings options. You can get your paycheck early with a direct deposit, making it a convenient option for many people.

Chime is an online and mobile system, which sets it apart from traditional neighborhood banks. This digital-only approach allows Chime to operate without the overhead costs associated with physical branches.

Account Types

Chime offers a range of account types to suit different needs.

The Chime Checking Account is the flagship product, with no monthly fees, no minimum opening deposit, and no balance requirements.

You can receive paychecks up to two days early with direct deposit, and there are 60,000 ATMs in the Chime network.

The Chime Spending Account is essentially a normal checking account with a Chime Visa debit card and access to a wide range of ATMs.

There are no monthly fees or charges for overdrafts, bank transfers, debit card replacements, or foreign transactions on the Chime Spending Account.

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Here are the account types offered by Chime:

The Chime Savings Account comes with a 2.00% APY, and there are two optional automated features to make saving easier: the rounding function and the Save When You Get Paid option.

Features and Benefits

Chime is an online-only bank that offers a range of features and benefits to its customers. It's low on fees, easy to set up an account, and features competitive interest rates.

One of the standout features of Chime is its lack of fees. There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no overdraft fees. You can even overdraft your account up to $200 with Chime's Spot Me feature, which is a game-changer for those who need a little extra cash.

Chime also offers free ATM access to over 60,000 in-network ATMs. You can locate these ATMs through the Chime app and withdraw cash without incurring any fees. However, if you use an out-of-network ATM, you'll pay a $2.50 fee, plus any out-of-network fees charged by the ATM.

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The Chime Savings Account comes with a 2.00% APY, which is competitive with other high-yield savings accounts on the market. You can also take advantage of two automated savings features: Round Ups and Save When I Get Paid. Round Ups rounds up your debit transactions to the nearest dollar and transfers the extra amount to your savings account, while Save When I Get Paid transfers 10% of your direct deposits over $500 into your savings account.

Here are some key features of the Chime Savings Account:

  • Minimum deposit: None
  • Access to your account: Online, mobile, and ATMs
  • Security: FDIC insurance up to $250,000
  • Fees: None
  • Current terms and rates: 2.00% APY

Overall, Chime is a great option for those who want a low-fee, high-yield savings account with flexible features and benefits.

Pros and Cons

Chime is a type of bank that offers a lot of benefits to its customers. One of the main advantages is that it has no monthly or overdraft fees.

You can bank with Chime 24/7, with access to customer service via phone or chat whenever you need it. This can be a huge relief if you have a question or issue that pops up outside of regular business hours.

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Chime also offers a good savings interest rate, which can help your money grow over time. This is especially important if you're trying to save up for a specific goal, like a down payment on a house.

With over 60,000 ATMs, you'll have plenty of options for withdrawing cash when you need it. This can be a big plus if you're someone who likes to have cash on hand.

One other perk of Chime is that it doesn't charge fees on secured credit cards. This can be a great option if you're looking to build credit or need a credit card for a specific purpose.

Banking Experience

Chime's online banking experience is a standout feature, with a 4.8-star rating on the Apple App Store and a 4.7-star rating on the Android App Store.

Most users love the ease of connecting with customer service through the app, making it a beginner-friendly option for those new to online banking.

Occasional bugs and outages can be frustrating, but they're typically resolved quickly.

Is Chime a Bank?

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Chime is not a bank in the classical sense, it's a fintech company that offers banking services through its mobile app. Chime is a financial technology company that allows users to access their accounts and conduct transactions through their mobile device.

Chime doesn't have physical branches, but it does partner with banks to provide its services, such as the Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank. This partnership allows Chime to offer its users a range of financial services, including checking and savings accounts, debit cards, and mobile payments.

Intuitive Mobile App

Chime's mobile app is a game-changer for banking on-the-go. Its 4.8-star rating on the Apple App Store and 4.7-star rating on the Android App Store show just how well it's received by users.

The app is incredibly easy to navigate, making it a breeze to receive direct deposits up to two days early. You can also transfer money among your accounts with ease.

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One of the standout features of the app is its ability to help you find an ATM. This is especially useful when you're on the go and need to access your cash.

The app also supports mobile check deposits, which is a huge time-saver. Plus, you can review your recent transactions and account balances with just a few taps.

Chime's latest feature is instant and fee-free peer-to-peer payments. You can transfer money instantly to anyone who has a debit card, even if they're not a Chime member.

Account Opening Process

Opening an account with Chime is a relatively quick process that can be completed in less than two minutes.

You can access the application process through Chime's website or mobile apps. To apply, you must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number.

Chime doesn't check your credit reports prior to making you an account holder, which makes it a great option for those with bad credit. This policy is marketed as a "second chance" option, and it's indeed a major advantage for certain customers.

Where to Find

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Chime is a branchless company, so you can only access its services through the mobile app or website.

You can use the Chime app or website to manage your account, check your balance, and even deposit checks remotely.

Chime has partnered with the MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATM networks, giving you access to over 60,000 fee-free ATMs.

This means you can withdraw cash whenever you need it without worrying about extra fees.

Review and Comparison

Chime is a great option for those looking for a hassle-free banking experience. It's consistently ranked as one of the best free checking accounts and best checking accounts for college students.

Chime has a lot of great features, including being free, mobile friendly, and having a large network of free ATMs. You can find over 60,000 Chime ATMs across the US.

One of the standout features of Chime is its low fees. It has no monthly fees, no minimum deposit requirements, and no fees for using out-of-network ATMs. This makes it a great option for those who want to avoid unnecessary fees.

Here's a quick comparison of Chime with other popular checking accounts:

Chime has a few limitations, including lower transaction limits than traditional banks. Additionally, depositing cash can be a challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I put as a bank name for Chime?

To set up Chime, enter "The Bancorp Bank, N.A" or "Stride Bank, N.A" as the bank name, depending on your account's holding bank. You can find your bank name in the Chime app under Move Money > Set up Direct Deposit.

Aaron Osinski

Writer

Aaron Osinski is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various topics. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he has established himself as a reliable voice in the online publishing world. Aaron's areas of expertise include financial journalism, with a focus on personal finance and consumer advocacy.

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