What the Chime Credit Builder Card does

The Chime Credit Builder Card is a secured credit card that reports your payment history to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You deposit money into a savings account, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. When you use the card and pay the bill on time, Chime reports those payments to the bureaus, which builds your credit history if you have little or no existing credit file.

The card itself has no annual fee, no interest rate (because you're spending your own money), and no minimum deposit requirement — you can start with as little as $200. Chime holds your deposit in a savings account that earns a small amount of interest. The card is designed for people rebuilding credit or establishing a credit history for the first time, not for earning rewards or cash back.

Key Takeaways

  • Your deposit becomes your credit limit, so a $500 deposit gives you a $500 limit to spend and repay.
  • Chime reports on-time payments to all three credit bureaus, which is how the card builds your credit score over time.
  • You must make at least the minimum payment by the due date each month, or the missed payment will be reported and damage your score.
  • After consistent on-time payments, Chime may increase your credit limit without requiring an additional deposit, though this is not may provide.
  • The card works only with a Chime checking account, which you must open first.

How to open the account and get the card

You need a Chime checking account before you can get the Credit Builder Card. read the Chime app or visit chime.com, provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and address, and verify your identity. Chime will ask for a photo ID and may ask you to take a selfie to confirm it's you. The process usually takes a few minutes.

Once your checking account is open, you can request the Credit Builder Card from within the app. You'll choose your initial deposit amount — anywhere from $200 to $10,000. Chime transfers that money from your checking account into a savings account linked to the card. The card itself arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using it as soon as it arrives, even before it physically reaches you if you add it to a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Using the card and making payments

Use the Credit Builder Card like any other credit card: swipe it, tap it, or enter the number online. You can spend up to your credit limit, which equals your deposit. Each transaction shows up in your Chime app when ready. At the end of each billing cycle (usually 30 days), Chime sends you a bill for what you spent.

You must pay at least the minimum payment by the due date shown on your statement. Chime does not charge interest, so if you pay the full balance, you owe nothing extra. If you pay only the minimum, the remaining balance carries to the next month with no interest charge — but Chime still reports the payment to the credit bureaus. Paying the full balance each month is the fastest way to build credit, because it shows lenders you can manage credit responsibly.

Set up automatic payments from your Chime checking account to avoid missing a due date. Chime allows you to schedule payments for any day before the due date. A missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will lower your credit score, so automatic payment is worth the two minutes it takes to set up.

What Chime reports to credit bureaus

Chime reports your account opening date, credit limit, current balance, and payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. The most important thing it reports is whether you paid on time. A single on-time payment starts building your history; a pattern of on-time payments over several months is what raises your score. Chime reports to all three bureaus, so the card helps your score across all three credit files.

Chime does not report late payments until they are 30 days past due. If you miss a payment by a few days but pay it before the 30-day mark, Chime will not report it as late. However, you may be charged a late fee (Chime's late fee is typically $25 to $35, depending on your account terms). Once a payment is 30 days late, it stays on your credit report for seven years, so avoiding that threshold is critical.

When your credit limit may increase

After you've made on-time payments for several months, Chime may increase your credit limit without asking you to deposit more money. This is called an unsecured increase. It's not may provide, and Chime does not publish exact criteria for when it happens, but it typically occurs after 6 to 12 months of consistent on-time payments. When Chime increases your limit, it reports the new limit to the credit bureaus, which can help your credit score because it lowers your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your limit you're using).

You can also request a credit limit increase manually through the app, though Chime will conduct a hard inquiry into your credit file, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you're not in a hurry, waiting for Chime to offer an increase automatically avoids that inquiry.

Costs and fees to know about

The Credit Builder Card has no annual fee and no interest charges. You pay a late fee only if you miss a payment by 30 days or more. Chime's late fee is typically $25 to $35 per late payment, though the exact amount depends on your account agreement. There are no foreign transaction fees if you use the card abroad, though Chime does charge a small currency conversion fee (usually around 1%) if you spend in a foreign currency.

The savings account holding your deposit earns interest, though the rate is low — typically 0.5% to 2% annually, depending on Chime's current rates. That interest is paid to you, not charged to you, so it's a small bonus for keeping your deposit in place.

How this card compares to other secured cards

Other secured credit cards, like the Capital One Secured Mastercard or the Discover Secured Card, also report to all three bureaus and require a deposit. The main differences are fees and features. Capital One charges an annual fee ($39 to $99 depending on the card), while Chime does not. Discover offers cash back rewards (1% on all purchases), while Chime offers none. Both Capital One and Discover require a minimum deposit of $200 to $500, similar to Chime.

The Chime card is strongest if you want no annual fee and don't care about rewards. It's weaker if you want to earn cash back or if you need a card that works without a Chime checking account. If you already bank with Chime, the Credit Builder Card integrates seamlessly with your account and makes it straightforward to manage your deposit and payments in one app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Chime Credit Builder Card without a Chime checking account?

No. You must open a Chime checking account first. The card is tied to that account, and your deposit lives in a Chime savings account. If you close your checking account, Chime will close the Credit Builder Card as well.

What happens to my deposit if I close the card?

Chime returns your deposit to your checking account. You can then withdraw it or leave it in your account. Closing the card does not affect your credit history — the payment record stays on your credit report for seven years, which is what matters for your score.

How long does it take to build credit with this card?

You'll see the first entry on your credit report within 30 to 45 days of opening the account. Your score may start to rise after three to six months of on-time payments, though the exact timeline depends on your starting credit file and how much other credit activity you have. Consistent on-time payments over 12 months typically produce noticeable score improvement.

Can I use the card for cash withdrawals or balance transfers?

No. The Chime Credit Builder Card is a purchase card only. You cannot withdraw cash, transfer a balance from another card, or use it at ATMs. It's designed strictly for making purchases and building payment history.

What if I want to increase my credit limit beyond my deposit?

After several months of on-time payments, Chime may increase your limit without requiring additional money. You can also request an increase through the app, though Chime will run a hard inquiry. If you want a higher limit when ready, you can deposit more money into the linked savings account, and Chime will increase your limit to match the new deposit.