This card isn’t about racking up purchases—it’s about building a healthier financial future. Designed with your success in mind, it offers a safer, more controlled way to grow credit by using your own funds to secure spending and demonstrate responsible habits.
Backed by Visa and powered through the Chime app, it delivers a clear, low-stress path to establishing or improving your score in the U.S. If you want a straightforward way to build credit, this card keeps things simple—and effective.
Benefits: Your Roadmap to a Stronger Credit Profile
The Chime Credit Builder Visa focuses entirely on making credit building accessible, safe, and effective.
- Builds history with all three bureaus: Chime reports your on-time payments to TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax, helping you establish positive credit records.
- No annual fee and no interest: There’s no annual fee and no APR—your spending is backed by money you’ve already moved to the Credit Builder secured account, and payments are typically made from those funds.
- No hard credit check for the card: After opening a Chime Checking Account and receiving a qualifying direct deposit, applying for Credit Builder doesn’t require a hard inquiry.
- No fixed minimum deposit (beyond what you transfer): You control how much you move into the secured account—there isn’t a preset minimum like many traditional secured cards.
- “Safer Credit Building” autopay: Enable this feature to have on-time monthly payments made automatically from your secured funds, helping you avoid missed payments.
- You set your spending limit: Your available spend equals what you transfer from your Chime Checking Account to the Credit Builder secured account.
- SpotMe access (via Checking Account): With a qualifying Chime Checking Account, SpotMe can provide a fee-free overdraft cushion (limits start around $20 and can grow up to $200 based on activity) for debit purchases and cash withdrawals.
- Early direct deposit (via Checking Account): Qualifying users can receive paychecks up to two days early, adding flexibility to cash flow.
Who Qualifies: Basic Requirements
Chime designed eligibility to be friendly for newcomers and rebuilders.
- Age: At least 18 years old.
- Residency: Valid U.S. residential address.
- SSN: A U.S. Social Security Number is required to open a Chime Checking Account and apply for Credit Builder (ITINs aren’t currently supported).
- Chime Checking + Direct Deposit: Open a Chime Checking Account and receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200+.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Getting the card starts with joining Chime.
- Open a Chime Checking Account: Apply in the Chime app or on the website (you’ll provide your SSN and personal details).
- Set up a qualifying direct deposit: Arrange a $200+ direct deposit from an employer, gig work, or government benefits.
- Apply for Credit Builder: Once your qualifying deposit arrives, apply in the Chime app—no hard credit check for the card.
- Move money to your secured account: Transfer funds from Checking to Credit Builder—the amount transferred becomes your spending limit.
- Activate your card: Your Chime Credit Builder Visa will arrive by mail; follow the prompts to activate and start using it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this card earn rewards?
No. There’s no rewards program—the card’s sole purpose is helping you build or rebuild credit.
How fast can it improve my score?
Results vary. Consistent on-time payments and responsible usage are key. Chime cites member outcomes showing an average FICO® Score 8 increase of about 30 points after ~8 months of Credit Builder use (based on TransUnion data), but individual results differ.
Can I take cash advances with this card?
No. Cash advances aren’t supported on the Chime Credit Builder card.
Do I get my secured funds back?
Yes. The money in your Credit Builder secured account remains your funds and is used to pay your balance. If you close the account with a $0 balance, any remaining secured funds are returned to your Chime Checking Account.
