Chime® Checking Account
Chime offers a no-monthly-fee checking account with fee-free overdraft, early direct deposit, and a $350 sign-up bonus for qualifying new customers. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank; banking services and FDIC insurance are provided through The Bancorp Bank, N.A., which we confirmed is an active FDIC member. Terms come from NerdWallet, our verified data partner.
Is the Chime® Checking Account worth it?
The Chime® Checking Account has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, early direct deposit, and a $350 sign-up bonus for qualifying new customers. We source these terms from NerdWallet, our verified data partner. They carry our ◆ Partner data label, not figures we fetched ourselves.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and FDIC insurance are provided through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. We confirmed with the FDIC that it is an active insured institution — certificate #35444 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Deposits are covered up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
The honest caveat: the account earns no interest, and terms are partner-supplied and can change. Confirm current details on Chime’s own site. This is not financial advice.
How does a checking account work?
A checking account is built for everyday spending and bill pay, with a debit card and unlimited transactions. Some, like this one, also pay interest as an APY. The rate is variable, and any earned interest is taxable.
What are the pros and cons of the Chime® Checking Account?
The Chime® Checking Account stands out for no monthly fee and no minimum balance, though terms are partner-supplied — not fetched from the provider ourselves.
- No monthly fee and no minimum balance
- $350 sign-up bonus for qualifying new customers
- Funds held at The Bancorp Bank, N.A., an FDIC member we confirmed with the regulator
- Terms are partner-supplied — not fetched from the provider ourselves
- The account does not earn interest
- Chime is a fintech, not a bank — services run through partner banks
Who should get the Chime® Checking Account?
The Chime® Checking Account is best for people who want a no-fee, low-overdraft checking account.
- People who want a no-fee, low-overdraft checking account
- Anyone who values early direct deposit
- New customers chasing a sign-up bonus
How does the Chime® Checking Account compare?
Among the 9 checking accounts we track, the Chime® Checking Account ranks #3 with a money8020 score of 96/100.
| Product | Score | Tier | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One 360 Checking | 97 | Essential | Capital One |
| American Express Rewards Checking | 96 | Essential | American Express National Bank |
| Chime® Checking Account | 96 | Essential | Chime (banking via The Bancorp Bank, N.A.) |
| nbkc Everything Account | 94 | Essential | nbkc bank |
| SoFi Checking and Savings | 93 | Essential | SoFi Bank |
See all checking accounts, ranked →
Common mistakes to avoid with a checking account
- Carrying a balance you think earns interest without confirming the rate and any requirements to earn it.
- Ignoring the overdraft policy until a transaction overdraws the account.
- Missing direct-deposit or activity requirements that unlock the rate or fee waiver.
- Treating checking as savings — a high-yield savings account usually pays far more.
Key takeaways
- Chime® Checking Account earns a money8020 score of 96/100, ranking #3 of 9 checking accounts.
- No monthly fee and no minimum balance
- undefined.
- Best for people who want a no-fee, low-overdraft checking account.
- Rate and terms sourced from our verified data partner, NerdWallet.
Frequently asked questions about the Chime® Checking Account
Does the Chime Checking Account have a monthly fee?
Per NerdWallet, our data partner, the account has no monthly fee and no minimum balance, plus a $350 sign-up bonus for qualifying new customers. Confirm current details on Chime's own site. This is not financial advice.
Is the Chime Checking Account FDIC insured?
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and FDIC insurance are provided through The Bancorp Bank, N.A., which we confirmed with the FDIC is an active insured institution (certificate #35444, Sioux Falls, South Dakota). Funds are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
Does the Chime® Checking Account charge overdraft fees?
Overdraft terms vary by bank — some charge a fee, others offer a fee-free buffer or decline the transaction. Review the account's overdraft policy before relying on it.
Can the interest rate on the Chime® Checking Account change?
Yes. Any APY on a checking account is variable and can change at any time. Confirm the current rate and any requirements to earn it on the provider's site.
Sources
We sourced these figures from our verified data partner and independently confirmed the provider’s regulator status, last checked May 30, 2026. Primary sources: