What counts as a qualifying direct deposit for the Chime bonus?

Chime defines a qualifying direct deposit as an electronic ACH deposit or Original Credit Transaction from an employer, payroll provider, gig-economy payer, or government benefits program. A single deposit of $500 or more within 34 days of account opening unlocks the direct deposit portion of the bonus.

How does the current Chime bonus work?

The current Chime offer pays up to $350 total in two parts: a one-time reward for a single $500+ direct deposit within 34 days of account opening, plus cash back on Chime Visa card purchases over the 90 days after account opening. Activate your physical card within 14 days of that first qualifying deposit to unlock the cash back portion.

Does Chime do a hard credit pull to open a Checking?

No. Chime does not pull your credit to open a Checking.

Is the Chime Checking bonus available nationwide?

Yes. The Chime Checking bonus is available to applicants in all 50 states.

Is the Chime Checking bonus taxable?

Yes. Bank account bonuses are considered taxable income by the IRS. Chime will send a 1099-INT form if your bonus is $10 or more.

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Chime

Chime Checking $350 Bonus

Chime pays you up to $350 when you open a checking account and hit direct deposit and debit card milestones. No monthly fee. No credit check. Available nationwide. One of the most accessible fintech bonuses for beginners, with no minimum balance and no ChexSystems sensitivity.

Bonus amount: $350
Expires: Aug 28, 2026
Time to complete: ~90 days
Bonus deposited in: ~97 days
Difficulty: Medium

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Requirements

Last verified: Aug 24, 2026

Open an account via the offer link
Open a new Chime Checking Account as a first-time Chime account holder using the offer link above. You must have received an invitation to this offer (app, SMS, email, or advertisement).
Receive a $500+ direct deposit within 34 days ($200 reward)
Receive a single qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more within 34 calendar days of account opening to earn the $200 Direct Deposit Reward.
Activate your Chime Visa card
Activate a physical Chime Visa card within 14 calendar days of receiving your first qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more.
Earn 10% cash back for up to $150
Once your physical card is activated, earn 10% cash back on eligible Chime Visa card purchases, up to $50/month, for 90 calendar days after account opening (up to $150 total). You may earn cash back in the first 34 days without a direct deposit, but need a qualifying $500+ direct deposit within the previous 34 days to keep earning it through day 90.

The $200 direct deposit reward is credited within 7 calendar days of the qualifying deposit. Cash back rewards are credited within 10 business days of settlement, covering purchases made within 90 days of account opening.

Account Details

Monthly feeNo monthly fee

Min. hold period60 days

Keep open for at least 60 days to avoid issues.

Credit inquiryNo credit pull

ChexSystemsNo. This bank publishes that it does not screen banking history.

AvailabilityNationwide

Eligibility

Minimum age18+

Existing customersNot eligible

Must be a first-time Chime account holder.

Tips & Gotchas

→This is an invitation-only offer. You must receive it via the Chime app, SMS, email, or an advertisement; you can't just show up and claim it.
→The $350 is two separate pieces: a one-time $200 for a single $500+ direct deposit within 34 days, plus up to $150 in 10% cash back (capped at $50/month) on card purchases over 90 days.
→You can start earning cash back in the first 34 days even before your direct deposit posts, but you need a qualifying $500+ deposit within the trailing 34 days to keep earning it for the full 90-day window.
→Only real employer, payroll, gig-economy, or benefits deposits count. Bank transfers, Zelle/Cash App/PayPal, mobile check deposits, and one-time deposits like tax refunds do not qualify.
→Corrected 2026-08-17: this offer's requirements previously described an older 3-month, 3x-$200-direct-deposit structure that no longer matches Chime's live Offer Terms page.

Direct Deposit Data Points 230

230 community reports across 40 transfer sources, showing what triggers a qualifying direct deposit at Chime.

Showing 220 of 230 reports

View all Chime direct deposit data points →

Can You Earn This Bonus Again?

Can rechurnNo

Fine Print

Offer valid for accounts opened March 25 through August 28, 2026. Must be a first-time Chime account holder who received an invitation to the offer. Two components: (1) a $200 one-time reward for a single Qualifying Direct Deposit of $500+ within 34 days of account opening, requiring physical card activation within 14 days of that deposit; (2) up to $150 in cash back at 10% on Eligible Purchases with the physical Chime Visa Card, capped at $50/month, over the 90 calendar days after account opening. Qualifying direct deposits must be from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer; bank ACH transfers, P2P transfers, mobile check deposits, and cash deposits do not qualify. Credits of $10+ are reported on Form 1099-INT. Only one Chime account-opening bonus promotion per account.

Taxable income · Reported on 1099-INT

What Counts as a Direct Deposit for Chime Bonuses?

On paper, Chime counts only ACH deposits from an employer, payroll provider, gig platform, or government benefits as qualifying direct deposits. Based on 321 community data points, many external bank and brokerage ACH pushes also trigger the bonus in practice, while P2P apps like Cash App, plus SoFi and Upgrade pushes, are the methods most likely to fail.

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What is a direct deposit?

An electronic payment sent directly into your bank account, usually from an employer or government.