The Chime Credit Builder card charges no annual fee, no interest, and requires no minimum security deposit. It is one of the most consumer-friendly credit-building cards available, with a no-credit-check application and reporting to all three major bureaus.
Open the Chime Credit Builder card: No credit check, no fees, no interest.
Card Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Interest/APR | None |
| Security deposit | No minimum; spending limit = your Secured Deposit Account balance |
| Credit check | None |
| Credit reporting | All three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) |
| Utilization reported | No (only payment history and payment date) |
| Eligibility requirement | Chime checking account with qualifying direct deposit |
Terms verified at chime.com on September 18, 2026.
How the Chime Credit Builder Works
The Chime Credit Builder is a secured card with an unusual structure. Instead of depositing a fixed amount as collateral, you move money from your Chime checking account into a Secured Deposit Account. Whatever balance sits in that account becomes your spending limit on the Credit Builder card.
When you make a purchase, it draws from the Secured Deposit Account. When you pay your bill, the Secured Deposit Account is replenished. Chime then reports the payment to the credit bureaus.
Because you are essentially spending your own money, there is no interest charge. You cannot spend more than you have deposited.
Key Benefits
Zero Fees and Zero Interest
There is no annual fee, no monthly fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no interest charge — ever. This is the lowest-cost credit-building option available. Over two years of use, the savings over a card with a $35 annual fee amount to $70, which you can redirect toward debt payoff or savings.
No Minimum Deposit
You can start using the card with any amount in your Secured Deposit Account. There is no required minimum of $200 or more. This makes it accessible even when you have very little cash available.
Safer Credit Building Autopay
Chime’s Safer Credit Building feature automatically pays your full statement balance each month from your Secured Deposit Account. This eliminates the risk of a missed payment due to forgetfulness. Missing a payment is the single worst thing you can do for a credit score you are trying to rebuild.
No Credit Check
No hard or soft inquiry is required. Anyone with a Chime checking account and qualifying direct deposit can open a Credit Builder card.
Drawbacks
Requires Chime Checking Account
You must first open a Chime checking account and set up a qualifying direct deposit to unlock the Credit Builder card. If you prefer to keep your banking at a traditional institution, this is a significant barrier.
Utilization Not Reported
Chime reports payment history and payment dates but does not report credit utilization to the bureaus. This is actually an advantage in most cases — a high utilization ratio would hurt your score. But it also means the card cannot help you demonstrate responsible use of a credit line in the traditional sense.
No Rewards
The card earns no cash back on standard purchases (note: Chime markets a 5% cash back feature on a category of choice with direct deposit, but check current terms at chime.com as this feature and its eligibility requirements can change).
Who Should Apply
The Chime Credit Builder is the right card for someone who wants to eliminate all fees and interest from their credit-building strategy and is comfortable banking with Chime. It is also ideal for people who tend to carry balances — the no-interest structure makes that financially harmless.
If you prefer to keep your bank account at a traditional institution, the OpenSky Secured Visa offers no-credit-check approval with a conventional bank account setup.
Open the Chime Credit Builder card: No credit check, no fees, no interest.
Terms verified at issuer websites on September 18, 2026. Card terms change frequently — verify current rates and fees at the issuer’s website before applying.