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Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services, credit, and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
Credit building starts right now
No annual fee or interest¹
No credit check to apply
No minimum security deposit required²
Get started for free
Already a Chime member?
For Chime Checking Account holders with eligible direct deposit²
Start building credit for free
No annual fees, no interest, or large security deposits². No credit check to apply.
Start building credit safely
Instantly disable your card to prevent fraudulent activities. Build credit using your own money to help keep away from debt and missing payments.
Start building credit on everyday purchases
Start building credit with everyday purchases and on-time payments4. Use it everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
Start building credit for a better future
We report to all 3 credit bureaus to help you build credit over time. Members see an increase of 30 points on average5.
“My goal is to be able to buy a house and finance a new car on my own. Credit Builder has definitely helped me to build my credit back up to a point where I can do that.”
-Emily A., Real member. Sponsored content.
“By using the credit builder I can finally get the chance to move forward in the right direction and have the future I've always wanted!!”
-Gareth G., Real member. Sponsored content.
“I'm new to credit so it feels really good seeing that I'm safely increasing my score.”
Join millions already
using Credit Builder
Give your credit some love. Start by opening a Chime Checking Account with a $200 qualifying direct deposit or more and you’re ready to apply.6
Get started
How it works
- Move money. The money you move from your Checking Account into the Credit Builder secured account is the amount you can spend on your card.
- Spend money. Use Credit Builder anywhere Visa® credit cards are accepted. Whether it’s gas or groceries, use Credit Builder on everyday purchases to help build credit when you make on-time payments.4
- Help build credit. The money you moved to Credit Builder can automatically pay your monthly balance on time with the Safer Credit Building feature turned on—which we report to major credit bureaus.4
Credit Builder is
great
for people
looking to
get better interest
rates for that dream
car or house
unlock better
financial options for
the future
build credit with
purchases you
already make with
on-time payments4
find an easy, free,
safer way to help
build credit
use a card with no
annual fees, interest,
or credit history
requirements
Get started
Still have questions about
Credit Builder?
Learn more
FAQs
Here's what you need to know about Credit Builder.
What do I need to apply for a Credit Builder?
All you need is a Chime Checking Account and qualifying direct deposits of $200 or more.
Don’t have a Chime Checking Account? Apply for one in under two minutes!
Will it require a hard credit check to apply?
No way! We think everyone deserves a chance to build credit, so we don’t check your credit score when you apply.
Do I need to have a Chime Checking Account to use Credit Builder?
Yes. We designed Credit Builder to work with the Chime Checking Account so that you can move money instantly—across your Chime accounts!
Does Chime charge any fees for using Credit Builder?
We don’t believe in unnecessary fees or profiting from our members’ misfortunate. We have no fees to apply, no annual fee or interest, and no fee to replace your card. We do charge an out-of-network ATM fee if you use your card at an ATM that is not a part of Chime’s fee-free network of 60,000+ ATMs.
How can Credit Builder help my credit score?
Credit Builder offers features that help you stay on top of key factors that impact your credit scores. Consistent use of Credit Builder can help you build credit and, with on-time payments, increase the length of your credit history over time. We report to the major credit bureaus – TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax®.
Learn more about credit building with Credit Builder.
What makes Credit Builder different from traditional credit cards?
Unlike traditional credit cards, Credit Builder helps you build credit with no annual fees and no interest. There’s also no credit check to apply!
Credit Builder is a secured credit card. The money you move into Credit Builder’s secured account is the amount you can spend on the card. Unlike other secured credit cards, that money can be used to pay off your monthly balances. Since Credit Builder doesn’t have a pre-set limit, spending up to the amount you added won’t contribute to a high-utilization record on your credit history.
Learn more about how Credit Builder works.
Is Credit Builder a secured credit card?
Yes, Credit Builder is a secured credit card. The money you move to the Credit Builder secured account is how much you can spend with the card. This amount is often referred to by other secured credit cards as the security deposit. Like other secured credit cards, Credit Builder also reports to the major credit bureaus, to help you build credit history over time.
However, for most secured credit cards, security deposits are unavailable to you, the consumer, until you close the account. With Credit Builder, you can use your deposit to pay for monthly charges. Plus, Credit Builder charges no annual fees and no interest, and no minimum security deposit required!
What is the credit limit?
Credit Builder doesn’t have a pre-set credit limit. Instead, the money you move into your Credit Builder secured account sets your spending limit on the card.
With traditional credit cards, using a high percentage of your available credit limit could negatively impact your credit score. You don’t have to worry about that with Credit Builder because Chime does not report credit utilization. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.
How much you can spend with Credit Builder is shown to you as “Available to Spend” in the Chime app.
If I use all the money I add into Credit Builder, will Credit Builder report high utilization and hurt my credit score?
Nope. Credit Builder doesn’t report percent utilization to the major credit bureaus because it has no pre-set credit limit. That means spending up to the amount you added will not show a high-utilization card on your credit history. So you can use Credit Builder for your everyday purchases and let them count toward credit building when you make on-time payments!
How long does it take for my Credit Builder card to arrive?
After you enroll, it’ll take on average 5-7 business days for your Credit Builder card to arrive.
How do I activate my new Credit Builder card?
It’s easy! Just go to the Chime app > Settings > Credit Builder > Activate Card.
What can I use my Credit Builder card for?
You can use the Credit Builder card anywhere Visa® credit cards are accepted.
Can I move money into my Credit Builder secured account from another bank?
No, you cannot move money from other banks to your Credit Builder secured account. You can only do that from your Chime Checking Account.
How long does it take to move money between my Credit Builder secured account and Checking Account?
Moving money between Chime Checking Account and Credit Builder takes ~60 seconds! Once the transfer is complete, your transaction history will reflect the change and your Available to Spend will update.
What is Safer Credit Building?
Safer Credit Building is a feature that allows you to automatically pay your monthly balance with the money in your Credit Builder secured account. Turn it on, so your monthly balances are always paid on time! Learn more about how it works here.
What is Move My Pay?
Move My Pay is an optional Credit Builder feature that allows you to automatically move a set amount from your Checking Account to Credit Builder whenever you get paid. You can always make changes or move money between your Chime accounts at any time.
How and when do I pay off the card?
You can pay off your Credit Builder charges in 3 ways:
- Our recommendation is to turn on Safer Credit Building. When you make a purchase, the money you spent is put on hold in your secured account. Safer Credit Building uses that money to automatically pay your monthly balance. This will help you avoid late payments and outstanding balances.
- If Safer Credit Building is not turned on, Manual Payments can still be made at any time by going to Settings → Safer Credit Building → Make a Payment.
- ACH Payments can be made from any bank by using Credit Builder’s account and routing numbers. To find them, go to Settings → Safer Credit Building → Make a Payment → Paying with another bank
Credit Builder statements are available by the 28th of each month and due on the 23rd of the following month.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you miss a payment, we’ll disable your Credit Builder card and ask you to pay your overdue balance. See “How and when do I pay off the card?” on how to make a payment.
If your balance due isn’t paid in full after 30 days, we may report information about your account to the major credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account may be reflected on your credit report.
Where can I find more information on Credit Builder policies?
For the Credit Builder Visa Credit Card Agreement, please visit: https://www.chime.com/chime-credit-builder-visa-credit-card-agreement/
For the Credit Builder Application Disclosure and Secured Account Agreement, please visit: https://www.chime.com/chime-credit-builder-application-disclosure-and-secured-account-agreement
Can I use my Credit Builder card to withdraw money?
Yes! You can get cash fee-free at any in-network ATM, just like your Chime debit card. Find an in-network ATM near you using the ATM Map in the app.
What is the limit on the Chime Credit Builder Card?
Credit Builder does not have a pre-set limit, the amount you move into the Credit Builder secured account is the amount you can spend with the card.
Can you withdraw cash from the Chime Credit Builder Card?
Yes! Just like your Chime Debit Card, you can withdraw cash using your Credit Builder Card. Get cash fee-free3 at 60,000+ ATMs found in stores you love like Walgreens, 7-eleven, CVS, and more!
Can I use my Chime Credit Builder Card at an ATM?
Yes! You can get cash using your Credit builder at any ATM. To avoid out-of-network fees3, we recommend using one of the 60,000+ in-network ATMs found in stores you love like Walgreens, 7-eleven, and more. Go into your Chime app and use the ATM Map to find one closest to you!
Can I overdraft my Chime Credit Builder Card?
Credit Builder currently does not provide overdraft services.
Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa® Debit Card and the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card are issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit and credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank.
While Chime doesn’t issue personal checkbooks to write checks, Chime Checkbook gives you the freedom to send checks to anyone, anytime, from anywhere. See your issuing bank’s Deposit Account Agreement for full Chime Checkbook details.
By clicking on some of the links above, you will leave the Chime website and be directed to a third-party website. The privacy practices of those third parties may differ from those of Chime. We recommend you review the privacy statements of those third party websites, as Chime is not responsible for those third parties' privacy or security practices.
Opinions, advice, services, or other information or content expressed or contributed here by customers, users, or others, are those of the respective author(s) or contributor(s) and do not necessarily state or reflect those of The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. (“Banks”). Banks are not responsible for the accuracy of any content provided by author(s) or contributor(s).
Third-party trademarks referenced for informational purposes only; no endorsements implied.
1 Out of network ATM withdrawal fees may apply. See here for details.
2 Security Deposit Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month. Minimum Security Deposit"]
3 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
4 On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
5 Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.
6 To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer-to-peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
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