| Referral link: | Chime referral link. |
| What you get: | $100 bonus. |
| When: | After all requirements are met. |
| Requirements: | Receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the first 45 days, then activate your physical Chime card within 14 days of that deposit. |
| Last verified: | September 2026 |
Chime is offering a $100 bonus to new members who sign up and receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the first 45 days of enrolling. You will also need to activate your physical Chime Visa debit card within 14 calendar days of receiving that deposit.
This deposit must come from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer or benefits provider.
Types of deposits that do not qualify, include:
- ACH transfers from other banks.
- Peer-to-peer payments through services like PayPal or Venmo.
- Mobile check deposits.
- One-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds.
Why Sign Up For Chime?
The standout feature of Chime is its fee-free banking services. There are no hidden fees, no minimum balance requirements and no overdraft fees.
Something else we like about Chime is its early direct deposit feature, which allows you to get your paycheck two days ahead of schedule.
For those struggling with bad credit, Chime offers a credit builder debit card, which we profiled in our reviews of similar products like Cred.ai and Extra debit card.
One thing to be aware of with Chime is that they’ve never had one of the higher interest rates on savings.
Overall, Chime is an attractive option for people with traditional banks who live paycheck to paycheck and often find themselves paying unnecessary fees.
Learn more in our Chime review.
Chime’s Referral Program
Chime’s referral bonus program is a simple way to earn money by referring others to join.
When you refer a friend and they (a) join Chime through your link, (b) receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the first 45 days of enrolling and (c) activate their physical card within 14 calendar days of that deposit, your friend receives a $100 bonus — and you earn a bonus too. Per Chime’s current terms, the referrer’s amount varies based on your active offer when your friend signs up.
To take advantage of the referral bonus, simply use a referral link provided by a current Chime customer when you sign up. Your referral link will be available immediately upon signup.
You can earn rewards for up to 10 successful referrals per calendar year.
Chime Referral Reward FAQs
No. Only those who use a referral link, have a qualifying direct deposit within 45 days of signing up and activate their physical card within 14 days of that deposit qualify.
Yes. Referral bonuses are reported on tax form 1099-INT for new members. Referring Chime members who receive $600 or more in bonuses will have it reported on tax form 1099-MISC.
Chime is a financial technology (fintech) software company that offers banking services through its mobile app. The banking services for Chime are provided by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
You can earn rewards for up to 10 successful referrals per calendar year.
Chime vs. Other Direct Deposit Bonuses
Chime is one of the many fintech companies that offers sign-up bonuses and referral rewards.
Here’s a comparison of Chime’s $100 referral bonus to other similar promotions:
- MoneyLion: By signing up for MoneyLion with referral code $thewaystowealth you can earn a $55 bonus, $5 for activating your account, and $50 for setting up direct deposit. MoneyLion is an all-in-one financial app that offers banking, investing, crypto and loans. Additionally, through the MoneyLion referral program, you can earn up to $55 in bonuses upon a successful referral. There is no limit to the number of friends and family you can refer. The bonuses take between 24 hours and two weeks to hit your account. Full details are available on our MoneyLion referral bonus page.
- SoFi: SoFi is offering a promotion that allows both new and existing SoFi Checking and Savings customers to earn a bonus of up to $400 for setting up direct deposit. SoFi adds up your eligible direct deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first one: $50 for totals of $1,000 to $4,999.99, or $400 for $5,000 or more, paid within seven business days of qualifying.
There are also a number of banks that offer cash bonuses without a direct deposit requirement.
| Platform | Welcome Bonus | Details |
| Raisin | Up to $1,000 | Raisin Referral Bonus |
| Current | $100 | Current $100 Bonus |
| Chime | $100 | Chime $100 Bonus |
| MoneyLion | $5 (+ $50 with direct deposit) | MoneyLion Referral Bonus |
| Greenlight | $50 | Greenlight $50 Bonus |
| Cash App | $5 | Cash App Referral Bonus |
Comparing offers? Our Bank Bonus Annualized Yield Calculator shows which bonus pays the highest effective rate for your deposit size and holding period.
Final Thoughts
Chime presents itself as a valuable option for individuals seeking a digital banking solution. Its lack of hidden fees, absence of minimum balance requirements, and zero overdraft fees make it an attractive choice for cost-conscious consumers.
Furthermore, the early direct deposit feature allows for greater financial flexibility, while the user-friendly app provides ease of use.
The $100 bonus for a qualifying direct deposit only adds to the appeal and is above that offered by many competitors, like MoneyLion’s $55 bonus. All of these factors combined make Chime a strong contender for those searching for an improved banking experience.
Does Chime have sign-on bonus just for applying for a card without a direct deposit? I will load money on the card at my discretion.
Hey Chris,
Not as of now. Just the direct deposit bonus. I’ll update if things change!