Let’s skip the drama. You’re here for a simple reason: you want to close your Chime account and move on.
As a Chime account holder myself. And a financial planner with almost 30 years of experience, I’ve seen seemingly simple tasks like this turn into major headaches. Closing a fintech account like Chime isn’t like walking into a traditional bank branch. It’s a rigid, automated process where a single loose end can halt everything.
A client of mine learned this the hard way when a forgotten $14.99/month streaming service tried to bill his just-closed Chime account, leading to a collections notice from the service provider. The lesson is simple: you can’t just delete the app and walk away.
This guide provides the exact pre-flight checklist to get it done cleanly the first time. We’ll cover how to handle your balance, untangle recurring payments, and correctly close the Chime Credit Builder account so it doesn’t negatively impact your credit score. Let’s do this right.
💡 The 4-Step Chime Account Close-Out Checklist
Before you even think about hitting the “close” button, complete these four steps. This is the secret to a clean break.
- Transfer Your Balance to $0.00: Move every penny out of your Chime Checking and Savings accounts.
- Reroute All Automatic Payments & Deposits: Update your direct deposit with your employer and switch any recurring bills (Netflix, gym memberships) to your new bank account.
- Download Your Statements: Save your transaction history and monthly statements as PDFs for your records. You won’t be able to access them later.
- Unlink External Accounts: Disconnect any linked bank accounts from within the Chime app.
Step-by-Step: How to Delete Your Chime Account
Once you’ve completed the checklist above, you’re ready for the final step. Think of this as handing the keys back to the landlord after you’ve moved everything out.
Step 1: Open the Chime App
Log into your account on your mobile device.
Step 2: Navigate to Settings
Tap the gear icon in the top-left corner to open the Settings menu.
Step 3: Edit Your Personal Info
Scroll down and tap on “Personal info.”
Step 4: Initiate the Closure
At the bottom of the Personal Info screen, you’ll see a “Close account” option. Tap it and follow the on-screen prompts. The app will ask you to confirm your decision.
Step 5: Get Written Confirmation
After completing the process in the app, I strongly recommend sending a follow-up email to support@chime.com. This creates an essential paper trail.
Michael Ryan Money Pro Tip:
Don’t just say “close my account.”
Use this exact phrase:
“Please permanently close all of my Chime accounts, including my Spending Account, Savings Account, and my Credit Builder Secured Account. Please confirm via this email once the process is complete.”
This specific language prevents any ambiguity that could leave one part of your profile active. If you run into any issues, you can also call Chime’s customer support at (844) 244-6363.
Critical Considerations Before You Close Your Chime Account Completely
Closing a fintech account like Chime properly requires more than just tapping a button. Here’s what you need to consider to protect your money and your credit.
How to Handle the Chime Credit Builder Account Closure
This is where many people get tripped up. The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa Credit Card is a real credit card, and closing it can impact your credit score in two ways:
- Credit Utilization: Your overall credit utilization ratio might increase slightly if you have balances on other cards.
- Age of Credit History: Closing any credit account can lower the average age of your credit history, which can have a small negative impact.
Michael Ryan Money’s Tip:
If your credit score is borderline and the Credit Builder card is one of your oldest accounts, consider leaving it open for a few more months after you stop using the checking account. If you’re confident in your credit score, closing it is fine. Just be aware that any balance in the Credit Builder Secured Account must be at zero before Chime will close it.
What Happens to Your Remaining Balance?
If you close the account with a small positive balance, Chime will mail a refund check to the address they have on file. This is why it’s crucial to ensure your address is up-to-date in the app before you start the closure process. A check mailed to the wrong address is a common, frustrating problem.
Direct Deposits and Automatic Payments
This is the most common mistake I see. Your subscriptions don’t cancel themselves. If your paycheck is still scheduled to go to your Chime account or Netflix tries to pull its fee, the transaction will fail. This can result in delayed pay and angry service providers. Go through your last three months of statements to hunt down and reroute every single recurring transaction.
Troubleshooting: Common Account Closure Headaches
“Why is the ‘Close Account’ button greyed out in Chime App?”
This almost always means you have a pending transaction or a negative balance. Wait for all transactions to fully settle (which can take 1-3 business days) and ensure your balance is at zero or positive.
“What if I have a negative balance when closing my Chime account?”
You are responsible for paying it. Chime, backed by its partner banks like The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A., will require you to bring the account balance to zero before they will process the closure. You can do this by transferring funds from an external account. For information on your rights, you can refer to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) guidelines on your rights when closing an account.
“Can I reopen a closed Chime account?”
No. Once an account is permanently closed, it cannot be reopened. You would have to apply for a new account from scratch.
“My refund check never arrived!”
First, confirm the address you had on file with Chime. If it was correct and it’s been more than 10-14 business days, you’ll need to contact Chime customer support to have the check reissued.
Closing a bank account should be a clean break, not a messy entanglement. By following this off-boarding checklist, you ensure your money is safe, your credit is protected, and you can move on to your next financial tool without any lingering issues.
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Note: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional advisor or accountant for personalized guidance.
