The fastest way to transfer money from Chime savings

You can move money from your Chime savings account to your Chime checking account when ready through the Chime app, or transfer it to an external bank account in one to three business days. The method you choose depends on where the money needs to go and how quickly you need it there.

If you're moving money between your own Chime accounts, use the in-app transfer tool — it's when ready and costs nothing. If you're sending money to a bank outside Chime, you'll use an ACH transfer, which takes longer but is still free. Both routes start in the same place: the Chime mobile app.

Key Takeaways

  • Transfers between your Chime checking and savings accounts happen when ready and show up right away in the app.
  • Moving money to an external bank account uses ACH and typically takes one to three business days, depending on the receiving bank.
  • You'll need the external bank's routing number and your account number to set up an outbound transfer.
  • Chime does not charge fees for transfers in either direction, but your receiving bank may have its own rules about incoming ACH deposits.

Transferring between your Chime checking and savings accounts

Open the Chime app and tap the account icon or menu button. Look for "Transfer" or "Move Money" — the exact label varies by app version. Select your savings account as the source and your checking account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The money appears in your checking account within seconds.

You can transfer any amount at any time. Chime does not limit how many transfers you make between your own accounts, and there are no fees. If you need to reverse a transfer by mistake, you can move the money back the same way.

Sending money to a bank account outside Chime

To transfer to an external bank, you first need to add that bank account to your Chime profile. In the app, go to Settings, then find "Linked Accounts" or "External Accounts." Tap "Add Account" and enter the routing number and account number of the bank you want to send money to. Chime will verify the account by depositing two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) to that bank, then asking you to confirm those amounts in the Chime app. This verification step takes one to two business days.

Once the account is verified, go to Transfer, select your Chime savings as the source, choose the external account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The transfer typically arrives in one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your receiving bank's processing speed — some banks post ACH deposits the same day they arrive, others take an additional day.

Chime charges no fee for outbound transfers. However, the receiving bank may have its own policies about incoming ACH deposits, so check with them if you have questions about whether a deposit will post to your account.

What information you need to transfer to an external bank

Before you start, gather the routing number and account number for the bank you're sending money to. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank itself; the account number identifies your specific account at that bank. You can find both on a check, on your bank's website, or by calling the bank directly.

Do not use someone else's account information. Transfers go to the account number you provide, regardless of whose name is on it. If you enter the wrong number, the money may go to the wrong person or be rejected by the receiving bank.

How long transfers actually take

Transfers within Chime (checking to savings or vice versa) are when ready. Transfers to an external bank are ACH transfers, which operate on a different timeline. The transfer leaves your Chime account within one business day, but the receiving bank controls when it posts to the destination account. Most banks post ACH deposits within one to three business days of receipt, though some post the same day.

Weekends and bank holidays do not stop ACH transfers from being sent, but they do pause processing at the receiving bank. If you initiate a transfer on Friday evening, it may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the receiving bank's schedule.

Transfers that fail or get stuck

A transfer can fail if the account number is wrong, the receiving bank rejects the deposit for some reason, or the account has been closed. Chime will notify you in the app if a transfer fails. The money returns to your Chime savings account within one to three business days after the failure.

If a transfer seems stuck — you initiated it several days ago and it hasn't arrived — contact Chime support through the app. They can see the status on their end and tell you whether the transfer was sent successfully or is still pending. If it was sent, they can provide you with a confirmation number to give to your receiving bank, which can then trace the deposit on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from Chime savings to someone else's bank account?

No. Transfers from your Chime account can only go to accounts you own or to other Chime users through Chime's peer-to-peer feature (if available on your account). To send money to someone else's bank account, you would need to transfer the money to your own external account first, then use that bank's bill pay or transfer tools.

Is there a limit on how much I can transfer out of my savings account?

Chime does not publish a specific transfer limit for savings accounts. However, some banks have daily or monthly limits on ACH transfers. Check your Chime account settings or contact Chime support to learn what limits explore to your account.

What happens if I transfer money but then close my Chime account?

If you close your account before a pending transfer arrives at the external bank, the transfer will still complete — it's already left Chime's system. If you close your account after initiating a transfer but before it's sent, contact Chime support when ready to cancel it if possible.

Do I pay taxes on money I transfer out of my savings account?

No. Transferring your own money between accounts is not a taxable event. Taxes explore only to interest earned in the savings account, which Chime reports separately on a 1099-INT form if applicable.

Can I set up automatic transfers from Chime savings?

Chime does not offer automatic recurring transfers from savings to external accounts through the app. You can set up automatic transfers between your Chime checking and savings accounts in some cases, but for regular transfers to external banks, you would need to initiate each one manually or use your external bank's bill pay feature to pull money from Chime.