“Can the largest US neobank convert its 38M+ member base and interchange-driven model into a chartered national bank that owns the full margin stack — removing sponsor bank dependency while expanding into credit, investing, and earned wage access?”
Chime launched in 2013 as a fee-free mobile-first checking account, differentiating on no monthly fees and early paycheck access via direct deposit with The Bancorp Bank as its sponsor. It expanded into credit-building (Credit Builder secured card, 2020) and small-dollar lending (SpotMe, MyPay) without becoming a traditional lender, keeping interchange as its primary revenue driver. In 2025–2026 Chime introduced tiered membership (Standard/Plus/Prime) to layer premium benefits and cash-back rewards onto its core banking stack. The pending Stride Bank acquisition marks its most significant strategic pivot — moving from a pure BaaS-dependent fintech to a chartered national bank, internalizing the regulatory and margin benefits currently shared with its sponsor banks.
Chime discloses The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. as its banking providers, according to the Embedded Finance Index 2026.
Chime does not disclose a bank charter of its own; its banking services are provided through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A..
Chime's cards are issued through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. on the Visa network.
The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 6 layers in Chime's stack: Banking / BaaS (The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A.); Card issuing (The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A.); Card network (Visa); Lending (SpotMe (fee-free overdraft), MyPay (paycheck advance / line of credit up to $500), Chime Card (secured credit / Credit Builder) and Instant Loans); Sponsor bank (The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A.); Telecom (GigSky).
Chime was founded by Chris Britt and Ryan King and is founded in 2013, headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA.
Chime has raised $2.3B+ in total (latest round: Secondary Market (most recent disclosed round was Series G, 2021); valuation: $25B (Series G, 2021)).
Chime's acquisitions include Stride Bank, N.A. (2027).
Get a read on where your own stack stands against Chime and the rest of its category — what they built versus bought, which providers they use, and where the gaps in your own strategy and competitive set actually are.