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The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is a secured credit card for those looking to build or repair their credit. It has no annual fees, doesn't charge interest, and doesn't require a credit check to open an account.
Thanks to automatic monthly payments from your Chime® Checking Account and pre-determined credit limit, it's easy to improve or establish a credit history with the Chime Secured Card. You can't spend more than what you've deposited into your Credit Builder secured account.
If you're in the market for a secured credit card, here's what you should know about the Chime Secured Card.
*See card highlights for full bonus terms
- No credit check to apply, no annual fees, and no minimum security deposit1
- The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
- 1Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
- Introducing Credit Builder (effective 10/28/24, members can apply for Credit Builder without $200+ direct deposit requirement), To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.
Page Contents
- Chime Secured Card Pros
- Chime Secured Card Cons
- Does the Chime Secured Card Have a Welcome Bonus?
- Is the Chime Secured Card a Real Credit Card?
- Does the Chime Secured Card Really Work To Build Credit?
- How Much Does a Chime Secured Card Cost?
- Does the Chime Secured Card Earn Rewards Points or Cash Back?
- How Do I Get a Chime Secured Card?
- Comparison of the Chime Secured Card With Other Secured Credit Cards
- Our Take on the Chime Secured Card
Chime Secured Card Pros
- No annual fee
- Doesn't charge interest
- No credit check
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
- Allows automatic monthly payments from your Chime Checking Account so you never miss a payment
Chime Secured Card Cons
- Available credit is determined by how much you deposit into your Chime Builder account
- No other credit line increases in addition to what you deposit yourself
- No points or cash back earnings
Does the Chime Secured Card Have a Welcome Bonus?
The Chime Secured Card does not have a welcome bonus.
Is the Chime Secured Card a Real Credit Card?
The Chime Secured Card is a secured credit card accepted everywhere Visa is accepted. The cardholder deposits money into the card's account to determine the available credit they can spend against.
Does the Chime Secured Card Really Work To Build Credit?
Yes, the Chime Secured Card works to rebuild your credit by reporting your payment history to all three credit bureaus. You can even set automatic payments from your Chime Checking Account to your Chime Secured Card so you never miss a payment, another factor that affects your credit score.
Related: How To Check Your Credit Score for Free
How Much Does a Chime Secured Card Cost?
There is no annual fee to carry the Chime Secured Card. However, you are required to make a deposit into your Chime Builder Account to use the card, so consider this the upfront cost that you'll get back when you close your account. You can spend up to the limit of the deposit.
Does the Chime Secured Card Earn Rewards Points or Cash Back?
No, the Chime Secured Card does not earn rewards points or cash back.
How Do I Get a Chime Secured Card?
You need a Chime Checking Account to apply for and open a Chime Secured Card. That's because all payments and deposits to the card must be made from a Chime Checking Account.
Comparison of the Chime Secured Card With Other Secured Credit Cards
The Chime Secured Card is an intuitive card, and it can help you accomplish the goal of building or repairing your credit if you use it responsibly. However, if you'd rather get a secured card that earns rewards or is open to those with fair credit, consider these other options:
- If you want a secured card with flexible cash-back earnings, try the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card. This card earns 3% cash back in the category of your choice, such as gas, dining, travel, or home improvement; 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter; and 1% back on all other purchases. A security deposit of at least $200 is required, and there is no annual fee. But do note that the card does incur a 5% foreign transaction fee.
- If you're looking for a credit card for those with fair credit that earns cash back on travel purchases, consider the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. While not a secured credit card, the Capital One QuicksilverOne is for people with fair credit and earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. You can also earn 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit or as a check to cover recent purchases or gift cards. The annual fee on the card is $39, and there are no foreign transaction fees. Learn more in our full Capital One QuicksilverOne review.
- 5% cash back on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Related: Does Adding a Credit Card Improve Your Credit Score?
Our Take on the Chime Secured Card
The Chime Secured Card is a unique, no-frills secured credit card because it doesn't charge cardholders any interest. Other secured credit cards can charge APR rates of up to 29.99% on unpaid balances.
This card also features incredibly simple account management. You can set up automatic monthly payments to your Chime Secured Card through your required Chime Checking Account so you never miss a payment.
When it comes to increasing your credit score, the Chime Secured Card reports to all three credit bureaus, something that not all credit cards can claim. Reporting to all three bureaus ensures that when you apply for a loan or other credit card, your credit history will appear uniformly, no matter what bureau the lender pulls from.
All in all, the Chime Secured Card is as worthy a contender for those looking to rebuild credit or looking to build their credit from scratch.
*See card highlights for full bonus terms
- No credit check to apply, no annual fees, and no minimum security deposit1
- The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
- 1Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
- Introducing Credit Builder (effective 10/28/24, members can apply for Credit Builder without $200+ direct deposit requirement), To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.
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