Chime does not offer a traditional credit card
Chime is a financial technology company that provides checking and savings accounts, but it does not issue credit cards. The company focuses on debit products and does not extend credit lines. If you use Chime, you have a debit card tied to your checking account, which draws from money you have already deposited — not a credit card that borrows against a credit limit.
This is an important distinction because a debit card and a credit card work differently. A debit card lets you spend what you own. A credit card lets you borrow money from the card issuer, which you pay back later. Chime's business model centers on the debit side of banking, so if you need a credit card, you will need to look elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Chime offers debit cards and checking accounts but does not issue credit cards of any kind.
- Chime's debit card works like a standard bank debit card and does not build credit history because no credit is extended.
- If you want to build credit while using Chime, you will need a credit card from a different issuer, such as a bank or credit card company.
- Some fintech companies offer both debit and credit products, but Chime has chosen to remain a debit-only platform.
Why Chime does not offer credit cards
Chime's core product is a checking account with a debit card, overdraft protection features, and early direct deposit. The company built its reputation on serving people who want a straightforward banking experience without monthly fees or minimum balances. Issuing credit cards would require Chime to become a credit lender, which means underwriting loans, managing default risk, and complying with different regulatory requirements than a debit-focused fintech company faces.
Credit card lending is also a different business from deposit banking. It requires capital reserves, credit risk modeling, and collections infrastructure. Chime has chosen to stay focused on what it does — providing low-cost deposit accounts and debit services — rather than expand into lending.
What Chime's debit card does and does not do
Chime's debit card gives you access to your checking account balance at ATMs and merchants. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. The card does not charge you a fee to use it, and Chime reimburses out-of-network ATM fees up to a certain amount per month, depending on your account type.
However, a debit card does not build credit history. Credit bureaus track credit cards, loans, and other credit products — not debit cards. If you use only Chime's debit card and have no other credit accounts, you will have no credit score or a very thin credit file. This matters if you later want to borrow money for a car, a home, or anything else that requires a credit check.
How to build credit while banking with Chime
If you want to build credit history and you use Chime for your checking account, you will need to open a credit card with a different company. You can hold both at the same time — many people do. Your Chime checking account and a credit card from another issuer can work together in your financial life.
Credit cards designed for people building or rebuilding credit are available from traditional banks, credit unions, and credit card companies. These cards typically have lower credit limits and higher interest rates than cards for people with established credit, but they report to credit bureaus and help you build a credit history if you pay on time. Some people use a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit as collateral, to start building credit.
You can also build credit through other means — a credit-builder loan from a credit union, becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card, or a credit reporting service that tracks rent or utility payments. But if you want a credit card specifically, you will need to open one outside of Chime.
Other fintech companies that offer both debit and credit
Some fintech companies have expanded beyond debit-only products. Cash App, owned by Block, offers a debit card and also provides access to credit products through partnerships. Revolut offers both debit and credit cards in some markets. LendingClub started as a peer-to-peer lending platform and has added deposit accounts.
However, these companies are exceptions. Most fintech banking platforms, like Chime, focus on one side of banking — either deposits or lending — rather than both. If you want a single company to handle both your checking account and your credit card, your options are more limited in the fintech space than they are with traditional banks, which typically offer both products.
Comparing Chime to banks that offer both debit and credit
Traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo offer both checking accounts and credit cards under one roof. This can be convenient — you manage everything in one place, and the bank may offer perks like rewards on your credit card or discounts on interest rates if you keep a checking account with them.
Chime's trade-off is simplicity and low cost. Chime has no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and no overdraft fees (though overdraft protection is a feature, not a may provide). Many traditional banks charge monthly maintenance fees unless you meet certain conditions. If you prioritize low-cost banking and do not mind opening a credit card elsewhere, Chime may still be the right choice for your checking account.
What to do if you need both a checking account and a credit card
You have two main paths. First, you can keep your Chime checking account and open a credit card with a different company — a bank, credit union, or credit card issuer. This is the most common approach and works well if you are comfortable managing accounts at two different institutions. Your Chime debit card and your credit card from elsewhere will both work at most merchants, and you can use them for different purposes.
Second, you can switch to a traditional bank that offers both checking and credit cards. This gives you one institution to manage, but you may pay monthly fees on the checking account unless you meet balance or deposit requirements. You will also lose some of Chime's features, like early direct deposit and out-of-network ATM fee reimbursement.
The right choice depends on what matters most to you — low fees and simplicity, or convenience of having everything in one place. Neither choice is wrong; it depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Chime debit card to build credit?
No. Debit cards do not report to credit bureaus, so using a Chime debit card will not build your credit history or credit score. You need a credit card, loan, or other credit product to build credit. You can open a credit card with a different company while keeping your Chime checking account.
Does Chime offer a secured credit card?
No. Chime does not offer any type of credit card, including secured cards. If you want a secured credit card to build credit, you will need to open one with a bank, credit union, or credit card company outside of Chime.
Will Chime add credit cards in the future?
Chime has not announced plans to offer credit cards. The company has focused on debit banking and overdraft protection since its founding. While companies can change their products, there is no public indication that Chime intends to enter the credit card business.
Can I link my Chime account to a credit card from another bank?
You can hold both a Chime checking account and a credit card from another bank at the same time. They are separate accounts at separate institutions, so they do not automatically link. However, you can set up your credit card to pull payments from your Chime checking account if you want to pay your credit card bill from Chime.
What if I want a credit card but do not want to leave Chime?
You do not have to leave Chime. You can keep your Chime checking account and open a credit card elsewhere. Many people use a fintech checking account from one company and a credit card from another. There is no requirement to use the same institution for both products.