Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: N/A
• Rewards: No rewards program
• Bonus: No welcome bonus
• Best For: People with no credit or damaged credit who want to build credit with zero risk and zero fees
• Credit Needed: No credit check required

Overview

The Chime Credit Builder card is a secured credit card that works fundamentally differently from traditional secured cards. Instead of putting down a fixed security deposit upfront, you move money from your Chime checking account to your Credit Builder secured account whenever you want. That money becomes your spending limit. When you make purchases, they are automatically paid from your secured funds, so there is no interest charged and no risk of debt.

There is no credit check to get the card, no annual fee, no interest, no minimum security deposit, and no other fees. Chime reports your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which is how you build your credit score over time. The card essentially turns your own money into a credit-building tool.

The Chime Credit Builder is ideal for people who want the safest possible path to building credit. Because you are spending your own money and the balance is paid automatically, there is zero risk of missed payments, interest charges, or debt accumulation. The trade-off is that there are no rewards, no welcome bonus, and you need a Chime checking account with direct deposit to qualify. For pure credit building with minimal risk, this is one of the best options available.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: N/A
• Balance Transfer APR: N/A
• Cash Advance APR: N/A
• Penalty APR: None

Note: No APR because the card is secured by your own funds. You move money from your Chime checking account to your Credit Builder secured account, and purchases are drawn against that balance. No interest is charged.

Benefits Overview

Zero-Risk Credit Building

• No credit check required for approval
• Secured by your own Chime checking account funds
• Purchases paid automatically from secured balance
• No interest charged on any purchases
• No risk of debt accumulation or missed payments

Zero Fees

• No annual fee
• No interest (APR is N/A)
• No minimum security deposit
• No late fees (payments are automatic)
• No foreign transaction fees

Credit Bureau Reporting

• Reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
• Builds credit history with each on-time payment
• Chime reports utilization and payment patterns
• Track credit score progress in the Chime app
• Flexible funding: move money in and out as needed

Rewards & Points

The Chime Credit Builder does not offer a rewards program. The card's value is entirely in its credit-building function: safe, fee-free, interest-free credit reporting to all three bureaus.

Welcome Bonus

No welcome bonus is offered. The Chime Credit Builder is a credit-building tool rather than a rewards card. Its value comes from establishing positive payment history with all three credit bureaus at zero cost and zero risk.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Interest (APR): $0 (no interest charged)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: $0 (automatic payments)
• Minimum Deposit: $0 (no minimum)
• Monthly Fee: $0

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Credit newcomers who need to establish a credit file from scratch
• Credit rebuilders who have damaged credit and need a fresh start
• Risk-averse individuals who want zero chance of interest charges or debt
• Chime checking users who already have a Chime account with direct deposit

Not Good For

• Rewards seekers as the card offers no cash back, points, or miles
• Non-Chime users who do not want to open a Chime checking account
• People needing a credit line as spending is limited to your deposited funds

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No credit check required for approval
• No annual fee, no interest, no hidden fees whatsoever
• No minimum security deposit amount
• Automatic payment eliminates risk of missed payments
• Reports to all three major credit bureaus
• Flexible funding from Chime checking account
• Zero risk of debt or interest charges
• Chime app tracks credit score progress
• Simple and intuitive credit building process
• Visa network provides wide acceptance

Cons

• No rewards, cash back, or points program
• No welcome bonus
• Requires a Chime checking account with direct deposit
• Spending limited to your funded balance (not a true credit line)
• Does not help build a traditional credit card repayment history
• Not a standalone product; tied to Chime banking ecosystem
• May not build credit as quickly as a traditional credit card with higher limits
• No purchase protection or card benefits

Alternatives to Consider

Card	Best For	Annual Fee	Rewards	Credit Needed
Discover it® Secured Credit Card	2%/1% cash back + Cashback Match (secured)	$0	2%/1%	No minimum
Capital One Quicksilver Secured	1.5% cash back (secured)	$0	1.5%	No minimum
OpenSky® Secured Visa®	No bank account needed, reports to 3 bureaus	$35	None	No minimum

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Category	Annual Spend	Reward Rate	Earned	Value
All Purchases	$3,000	N/A	$0	$0 (credit building)

The Chime Credit Builder has no monetary rewards value. Its value is in credit building: establishing positive payment history can increase your credit score by 30-80 points within 6-12 months, qualifying you for better financial products.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You want to build credit with absolutely zero risk and zero fees
• You have no credit history or damaged credit that needs rebuilding
• You already have or are willing to open a Chime checking account
• You want automatic payments so you never miss a due date
• You do not need rewards and just want pure credit building
• You want a card that reports to all three credit bureaus
• You want flexible deposit amounts with no minimum

You Should Skip It If...

• You want to earn rewards, cash back, or points on purchases
• You do not want to open a Chime checking account
• You want a traditional credit line rather than a secured spending limit
• You already have good credit and can qualify for rewards cards
• You want purchase protection or other card benefits
• You want a welcome bonus

Apply Now

Apply for Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®

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Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.