Written by: Eric Bank
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker
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Chime walks, talks, and looks like a bank, but it is really a fintech company that packages banking services — including checking, savings, and credit accounts. Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank provide the underlying accounts for Chime.
This arrangement allows the Chime online checking account to operate as a conventional bank account, complete with a Visa debit card, electronic checks, and optional overdraft protection. Most online payday lenders and cash advance apps can link to Chime to deposit loan proceeds and collect payments.
This article reviews several online loan networks that allow consumers to find direct providers of short-term payday and personal loans. Each network lender specifies its own bank account requirements, and they often include Chime. We also examine various cash advance apps that offer a limited payday loan alternative and can deposit the money into your Chime account.
Online Payday Loan Networks That Work With Chime
These companies offer loan-finding services to consumers with bad credit. They can connect you to providers of payday loans, personal loans (short- and long-term), or both, without cost or obligation. Most can deposit loan proceeds into your Chime account as soon as the next business day.
- Personal loans from $500 to $35,000
- All credit types are considered and welcome
- Simple, no credit impact form
- Helping consumers since 2001
- 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot rating with 2,000+ reviews!
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $35,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 60 Days to 72 Months | See representative example |
The 24/7 Lending Group uses sophisticated technology, instantly channeling your loan request to direct lenders that can accommodate your needs. Its nationwide network contains some of the highest-rated loan providers available online.
24/7 Lending Group neatly displays your loan options, allowing you to compare rates and terms easily. You are under no obligation to accept any of the presented offers.
Pros
- Funds can be deposited in your account in 24 to 48 hours
- Free loan quotes with no obligation to sign
- Highly rated in customer reviews online
Cons
- You’ll likely pay an extremely high interest rate if you have bad credit
2. Avant
- Personal loans of $2,000 to $35,000
- Compare rates in 2 minutes without affecting your credit
- Best for low origination fees for bad credit
- 550 minimum credit score required
- Powered by Credible
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 to $35,000 | 9.95% – 35.99% | 12 to 60 Months | See representative example |
Avant welcomes people seeking personal installment loans online. You need only a few minutes to complete the loan request form and see what you may qualify for.
Getting a loan arranged by Avant is far faster and more convenient than using a local bank or credit union. It partners with WebBank to issue the loan and will allow you to use your Chime account to accept and repay the loan.
Pros
- Funds deposited as soon as the next business day
- Prequalify with no impact on your credit score
- Low origination fees for bad credit borrowers
Cons
- Borrowers with bad credit will see the highest interest rates
- No loan terms shorter than one year
3. Upstart
- Personal loans starting at $1,000
- Find loans you prequalify for, complete your application, and close your loan
- Loans for 300+ FICO Scores
- Checking rates doesn’t impact your credit score
- Powered by Credible
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 to $50,000 | 6.49% – 35.99% | 1 to 5 Years | See representative example |
Upstart can quickly prequalify you for an online personal loan from its lender network. These installment loans allow you to repay in equal monthly installments, spanning 36 to 60 months in length.
Each offer you receive specifies a loan amount, repayment schedule, and interest rate. Most lenders can deposit the loan proceeds to your Chime account the day you apply and are approved, so you can have access to the money in your account as soon as the next business day.
Pros
- Lenders may deposit funds the same day you are approved
- Works with borrowers who have bad credit (scores of 300 and above)
Cons
- Potentially high interest rates for borrowers with low credit scores
- Only offers loan terms of three or five years
- Small personal loans starting at $100
- Receive an approval decision in as little as 2 minutes
- Funds can be deposited into your account in one business day and used for any purpose
- No hidden fees
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 to $20,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
SmartAdvances.com takes only minutes to find you one or more short-term loan providers. To prequalify, you must collect a monthly income of at least $1,000. The egalitarian SmartAdvances leadership team consists of an almost equal number of women and men.
The website has a loan calculator for finding a repayment schedule that won’t bust your budget. SmartAdvances.com belongs to the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA), a trade organization advocating fair credit policies complying with federal law.
Pros
- Lenders can provide funds in as little as one day
- Fast approval decisions
- Works for loans from $100 to $20,000
Cons
- Bad credit borrowers will pay a high interest rate
- Not available in all states
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Get connected with a lender
- Simple form & quick funding
- Get your money as soon as next the business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 60 Months | See representative example |
You must be a legal citizen, 18 years or older, and meet the other prequalification criteria to receive a loan offer from the BadCreditLoans.com network. This network is true to its name by providing direct lenders willing to offer bad credit loans.
If it cannot find you a suitable loan offer, BadCreditLoans.com may connect you with providers of credit repair, debt relief, or other credit-related products or services. You are not obligated to accept any offers and should carefully review them before accepting one.
Pros
- Can receive funds in your checking account as soon as the next business day
- No obligation to accept any offers
Cons
- High interest rate potential
- Residents of some states may not qualify
6. CashUSA.com
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Receive a loan decision in minutes
- Get funds directly to your bank account
- Use the loan for any purpose
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
To qualify for a CashUSA.com-arranged loan, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident, at least 18, and earn a specified monthly income. You also must be employed for at least 90 days and have a checking account (including Chime Checking) in your name.
A network lender usually funds your loan via electronic transfer in as little as one business day. Personal loan terms and fees vary by lender, but CashUSA.com doesn’t charge you for its services.
Pros
- Receive a funds transfer in as little as one business day
- Can use loan funds for any purpose
Cons
- Bad credit borrowers will face high interest rates
7. MoneyMutual
- Short-term loans up to $5,000
- Online marketplace of lenders
- Funds available in as few as 24 hours
- Simple online form takes less than 5 minutes
- Trusted by more than 2 million customers
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
MoneyMutual has been arranging bad credit loans since 2010. You can request a payday loan that you repay on your next pay date from your Chime account. If you prefer, you can request a personal installment loan that you repay from your Chime account over three or more months.
Loans are available to consumers 18 or older. You must also be a US citizen or permanent resident and collect at least $800 monthly in wages or government benefits.
Pros
- Loan proceeds can be deposited in your account in as few as 24 hours
- Quick and easy application process
Cons
- Interest rates vary, but could be extremely high for bad credit borrowers
- Not available in New York or Connecticut
- Loans from $250 to $35,000
- Large lender network
- Fast loan decision
- Use the loan for any purpose
- Funding as soon as one business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 to $35,000 | 5.99% – 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
PersonalLoans.com partners with lenders that can offer you an unsecured loan even if you have damaged credit. It promises no hidden fees, no upfront cost, and zero obligation.
PersonalLoans.com can quickly find an installment where you’ll make monthly payments to your lender — not to PersonalLoans.com. You can review your loan offer hassle-free before accepting any funds.
Pros
- Lenders can deposit funds in as little as one business day
- No hidden fees or upfront costs
- Flexible loan terms as short as three months and as long as six years
Cons
- High interest rate potential
- Residents of some states may not qualify
Payday Advance Alternatives to Payday Loans
While fast and convenient, payday loans are also expensive. You may prefer to use an inexpensive cash advance app for a small loan. These leading instant cash advance apps can provide up to $500 ahead of your next paycheck, and some allow you to use a Chime account.
Dave
Dave is a cash advance and banking app that links with external account such as Chime. Through its ExtraCash feature, users can quickly access up to $500 to cover expenses.
Dave can deposit the money in a linked checking account — which may take up to three days. Or, users can transfer the money to a Dave Checking account instantly.
Dave has a monthly membership fee, but it doesn’t charge interest or fees for ExtraCash. And those who open a Dave checking account can access their direct-deposit paychecks up to two days early.
Possible Finance
Possible doesn’t check FICO scores to determine your eligibility for a cash advance. Instead, it examines your regular pay schedule and work history to make loan decisions.
The bank verification vendor (Plaid) that the Possible money borrowing app uses does not allow users to set a Chime account as their primary account, which means you can’t have Possible disburse your loan funds there.
However, it does allow you to add a Chime account as an additional payment method, which means you can use it to pay your Possible loan balance.
EarnIn
The EarnIn cash advance app links to your checking account and electronic work time sheet to provide quick direct deposit loans.
If you have a Chime account that EarnIn can support, please turn on Allow Transactions in your Chime settings. Turning on Allow Transactions gives EarnIn clearance to send cash to your Chime account and debit you on payday.
Brigit
With Brigit, you can qualify for a cash advance of up to $250 and have the funds sent to your Chime account. You can secure an advance with no credit check or interest charges, but you may need a subscription (which includes a monthly fee).
Brigit claims to have saved members more than $1 billion in fees, which averages to $425 per member annually. So, if you need a little cash quickly — or regularly — this could be a service to check out.
What Is Chime?
Chime is a fintech company that provides online banking services that are low-cost, helpful, and easy to use. Its app provides unbanked, underbanked, and bad-credit consumers with deposit accounts, credit cards, debit cards, and overdraft protection services, among others.
The company helps consumers save money by not charging monthly fees. Instead, Chime makes money from merchant debit and credit card interchange fees. It can afford to do so by avoiding the overhead of brick-and-mortar branches.
Chime offers the following products and services:
- Chime Checking Account: An online account for consumers who may have poor credit, previous banking problems, or a dislike for bank branches and the fees they charge. The account lets you deposit, transfer, spend, and withdraw money through its website and mobile app. You can use the paperless Chime Checkbook feature to pay bills electronically.
- Chime Savings: This is an optional high-yield account with no minimum balances, minimum deposits, or monthly fees.
- Chime Visa Debit Card: Chime offers a versatile debit card for in-store, online, and in-app purchases. You fund the card through your Chime Checking Account and spend money already on deposit (unless you sign up for overdraft protection). The card integrates with mobile e-wallets, including Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.
- Chime SpotMe®: This service provides overdraft protection without interest or fees. Chime applies your next deposit(s) to repay your overdrawn balance. You must receive direct deposits of at least $200 in a 34-day period to activate the SpotMe® feature. The protection extends only to debit card purchases and withdrawals up to a certain limit.
- ATM Network: Chime gives customers fee-free access to 50,000+ fee-free ATMs. You must pay fees for out-of-network ATM withdrawals. Alternatively, participating merchants may provide cash back on debit card purchases.
The Chime app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices by customers who prefer the convenience and flexibility of mobile banking.
How Can You Get a Payday Loan With a Chime Card?
As with many digital banking platforms, Chime does not offer payday loans. But, if you have a Chime Checking Account and need to access funds quickly, there are some alternative options you may want to consider. One is applying for a personal loan from one of the reviewed lenders, all of which can deposit funds into a Chime Checking Account.
The procedure varies by lender, but typically, you enter your Chime Checking Account and routing numbers when you submit your loan application. You can look up these numbers online or on the Chime app.
When payday lenders approve loans, most can deposit the funds directly into a Chime Checking Account just like any other eligible bank account.
Payday loans can be expensive and come with high interest rates and fees, but they could be an option if you need to borrow money quickly and don’t have access to other forms of credit. Remember that payday loans are not a long-term solution, and you should use them only in emergencies.
Taking out loans or using credit only when necessary is prudent when you need money. Always read the terms and conditions of any loan carefully and be sure you understand the total cost of borrowing before agreeing to the loan.
What Are the Differences Between an Online Payday Loan and a Cash Advance App?
Both online payday loans and cash advance apps offer quick access to cash when you need it. But the two have key differences, including operation, the application process, repayment terms, and costs.
- Operation: You can apply to an online lender or loan-finding service that will evaluate your application and determine whether to approve or deny it. On the other hand, a cash advance app is a mobile application that typically allows you to borrow money without submitting an application.
- Application Process: To apply for an online payday loan, complete a detailed application and provide documentation to the lender or lending network. The application process is usually short, but getting approved may take a little longer. On the other hand, instant payday loan apps often have a much simpler process, and you can usually get approved and receive funds within minutes. However, the size of cash advances is limited.
- Costs: Online payday loans are expensive, with high interest rates and fees. However, the fees and interest rates associated with cash advance apps can be much lower. Some cash advance apps are subscription-based and don’t charge interest or fees for their advances. It’s essential to read the terms and conditions carefully before using the app to see if this setup will save or cost you money in the long term.
Online payday loans and cash advance apps are two ways to access cash quickly, but you should consider the costs and risks involved before using them. Before you turn to payday loans or cash advance apps, explore other options for borrowing money, such as a personal loan from an online lending network, bank, or credit union.
How Do I Apply For a Loan From a Network?
You must follow several steps to apply to an online loan network. These include researching lending networks, filling out a loan request form, submitting the form, reviewing your loan offers, accepting the best offer, and receiving your funds.
- Research online loan-finding services: Online loan-finding services abound, but choosing a reputable one that fits your needs may take some research on your part. Look for reviews like this one and ratings from other customers, and compare the fees and services offered by different providers.
- Fill out a loan request form: Once you have chosen a loan-finding service, visit its website and create an account if necessary. To find loan options that meet your needs, you must provide basic information about yourself and your financial situation. This data may include your name, address, employment information, and income.
- Submit your form: After you have filled out the application, review it for accuracy and completeness, and then submit it to the loan-finding service.
- Review loan offers: Once you have submitted your application, the loan-finding service will typically present you with several loan options that match your needs and qualifications. Review these offers carefully, including the interest rates, fees, and repayment terms, and choose the one that best fits your needs.
- Apply for the loan: After you have accepted a loan offer, you will need to complete a separate application with the direct lender offering the loan. This application will typically require additional documentation, such as proof of income or employment.
- Receive your funds: If you receive approval for the loan, the lender will deposit funds into your bank account or Chime account, depending on the lender and the loan terms.
The reviewed online loan-finding services are not lenders themselves, but rather match you with lenders who can offer you a loan. As with any financial product or service, read the terms and conditions carefully before accepting any loan offer and understand the costs and risks involved.
Can I Borrow Money From Chime?
Chime does not offer traditional loans. But you may be able to borrow money from Chime through its overdraft program, SpotMe®. If you have a Chime Checking Account in good standing and receive monthly direct deposits of at least $200, you may be eligible for SpotMe®.
SpotMe® covers debit card purchases up to a specific limit without incurring overdraft fees. The amount you can overdraw with SpotMe® depends on your account history, spending patterns, and other factors.
Chime will notify you of your available SpotMe® limit in the app, and you can use it as needed.
SpotMe® is not a loan and does not require an application or credit check. However, Chime may review your account activity and lower or revoke your SpotMe® limit if your account falls out of good standing.
Which Loans Do Not Check Credit?
Most traditional lenders, such as banks and credit unions, will require a credit check when you apply for a loan. But some types of loans, including payday loans, title loans, pawn loans, and loans from family and friends, do not require a credit check.
- Payday loans: Payday loans are short-term loans that are typically due on your next payday. They are for people who may not have a good credit score and need cash quickly. Payday lenders generally do not perform a credit check but charge high fees and interest rates.
- Title loans: A title loan is a secured loan that uses your car as collateral. They typically do not require a credit check, but they are expensive and come with the risk of losing your car if you cannot repay the title loan.
- Pawnshop loans: These loans do not require a credit check. When you take out a pawnshop loan, you use an item of value, such as jewelry or electronics, as collateral. The pawnbroker will assess the item’s value and offer you a loan based on that value. Because you secure the loan with collateral, the pawnbroker does not need to check your credit score or income. But the loan amount is typically a fraction of the item’s value, and the interest rates and fees are high. If you cannot repay the loan, you risk losing the collateral.
- Loans from friends or family: If a trusted friend or family member is willing to lend you money, you can get a loan without a credit check. Honor the loan terms, lest you damage your relationship with the lender.
Loans not requiring a credit check can be expensive and may come with high fees and interest rates. You should only use them as a last resort after considering the risks and costs of taking out a no-credit-check loan.
Your Online Payday Loans Can Work With Chime
Online payday loans require a bank account, so the lender can deposit the loan proceeds and collect payments. The reviewed online payday and personal loan networks work with your Chime online checking account and debit card. So do most of the reviewed cash advance apps, although they can provide small payday loans directly at a fraction of the cost.
Your choice will depend on your access to both loan sources and the amount you want to borrow.
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