On its Q2 2026 earnings call, Chime confirmed something new for its highest-deposit customers: a revolving, unsecured line of credit reserved for members of its top Chime Prime tier. It’s aimed at people who need more flexible borrowing than a fixed installment loan — and it’s a very different product from MyPay, the paycheck advance most Chime users already know.
Because the line of credit is rolling out in beta to a limited group of Prime members, Chime has not published a public rate sheet or credit-limit range for it yet. This guide walks through what Chime has actually said, the $3,000 direct-deposit rule that gates access, and exactly how a revolving line differs from MyPay so you can tell them apart.
What Chime announced in Q2 2026
Chime leadership described the product as a revolving unsecured line of credit for Prime members with larger liquidity needs — customers who want ongoing, reusable access to funds rather than a one-time lump sum. Management framed it as filling the gap between MyPay (small, short-term) and Instant Loans (fixed installment amounts), and said beta testing would begin later in 2026 for select Prime members.
The strategic logic is simple: Prime already requires a heavy direct-deposit relationship, so Chime is layering higher-value credit onto its most engaged, highest-earning customers.
What “revolving” actually means
A revolving line of credit gives you an approved credit limit you can draw from, repay, and draw from again — like a credit card’s available credit, but usually accessed as cash into your account. You’re only charged interest on the balance you carry, and paying it down frees the credit back up. That’s structurally different from an installment loan, where you get a set amount once and repay it on a fixed schedule.
The $3,000 monthly direct-deposit requirement
The line of credit sits behind Chime Prime, and Prime has a firm gate: you need at least $3,000 in qualifying direct deposits within a rolling 34-day window (effectively every month) to reach and keep Prime status.
A qualifying direct deposit is an ACH deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig-economy payer, or benefits payer — or an Original Credit Transaction (OCT) from a gig-economy payer. Random transfers from friends, most person-to-person app cash-ins, and one-off deposits generally don’t count.
If your qualifying deposits drop below $3,000, you don’t lose everything — you typically fall to Chime Plus (which needs a single $200+ direct deposit, or $400+ cumulative per month). But dropping out of Prime means losing Prime-only perks, and it’s reasonable to expect continued access to the Prime line of credit to depend on keeping Prime status.
| Tier | Direct-deposit requirement | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chime (base) | None required | $0 |
| Chime Plus | One $200+ deposit, or $400+ cumulative/month | $0 |
| Chime Prime | $3,000+ qualifying deposits in a rolling 34 days | $0 |
Note that all three tiers carry no monthly membership fee — Prime is earned through deposit activity, not a subscription.
Worked example: do you qualify?
Say you’re paid biweekly and each paycheck lands as a $1,600 ACH direct deposit. Over a 34-day window you’d receive roughly two to three paychecks — $3,200 to $4,800 — comfortably clearing the $3,000 bar and maintaining Prime. Now say one payday you receive only $1,600 because of a short pay period, and no other qualifying deposit lands in that window: you could slip under $3,000 and drop to Plus until your deposits recover.
Prime line of credit vs. MyPay: the key differences
MyPay and the Prime line of credit solve different problems. MyPay is a small, interest-free advance on money you’re about to earn. The line of credit is a larger, reusable credit facility that carries interest on balances you keep.
| Feature | MyPay | Prime revolving line of credit |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Paycheck advance (earned-wage style) | Revolving, unsecured credit line |
| Who can use it | Broad — most eligible Chime members | Chime Prime members only (beta) |
| Amount | $20 to $500 | Not yet published (larger, ongoing access) |
| Interest | No interest | Interest charged on carried balance |
| Credit check | No credit check | Not confirmed for beta |
| Reusable? | Refreshes as you repay/earn | Yes — draw, repay, draw again |
| Main cost | $2–$5 optional instant-transfer fee | Interest (terms TBD) |
| Availability | Live nationwide | Rolling out in beta in 2026 |
How MyPay works, briefly
MyPay lets eligible members access up to $500 before payday with no mandatory fees, no interest, and no credit check. Limits typically start smaller — often $50 to $100 for first-time users — and can grow to $500 based on your direct-deposit history. Standard transfers arrive within 24 hours for free; you can pay $2 to $5 to get the money instantly. To use MyPay you generally need a Chime checking account open at least 36 days, an activated physical card, and qualifying direct deposits of $200 or more.
Where the line of credit fits
Think of it as a step up the ladder. MyPay covers a $150 gap until Friday’s paycheck at no cost. Chime’s Instant Loans (roughly $100–$1,000, up to a 35.99% max APR for Prime members) cover a fixed, one-time need. The new revolving line targets people who want a standing, reusable cushion — but unlike MyPay, you’ll pay interest on whatever balance you carry, so it’s not a free tool.
Should you wait for it?
If you already hit $3,000 in monthly direct deposits, you likely qualify for Prime and can watch for a beta invite in the app. If MyPay’s $500 free ceiling covers your needs, there’s little reason to reach for an interest-bearing line — MyPay is cheaper by design. The line of credit makes the most sense for Prime members who repeatedly need more than $500 and value ongoing, reusable access over a one-time loan. Until Chime publishes the APR and credit-limit range, treat any specific numbers you see elsewhere with skepticism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chime Prime line of credit available to everyone?
No. It’s limited to Chime Prime members and is rolling out in beta, so even eligible Prime members may not see it immediately. You must maintain the $3,000 qualifying direct-deposit threshold to hold Prime status.
Does the Prime line of credit charge interest like MyPay?
Yes — unlike MyPay, which charges no interest, a revolving line of credit accrues interest on any balance you carry. Chime had not published the specific APR at the time of its Q2 2026 announcement.
What counts toward the $3,000 direct-deposit requirement?
Qualifying direct deposits are ACH deposits from an employer, payroll provider, gig-economy payer, or benefits payer, or an OCT from a gig-economy payer. Bank transfers, most peer-to-peer cash-ins, and mobile check deposits generally don’t count.
Will I lose the line of credit if my deposits drop below $3,000?
Falling under $3,000 moves you from Prime to Chime Plus, and Prime-only benefits are tied to keeping Prime status. Expect access to a Prime-exclusive line of credit to depend on maintaining that threshold.
The bottom line
Chime’s Prime revolving line of credit is a genuinely new, higher-tier borrowing option — reusable, interest-bearing, and gated behind a $3,000 monthly direct-deposit relationship. It complements rather than replaces MyPay: MyPay stays the free, small-dollar paycheck advance for everyday gaps, while the line of credit targets Prime members who need larger, ongoing flexibility. Watch for official terms before drawing conclusions about cost, and check the Chime app to see whether a beta invite is available to you.
WalletWisp is informational and not financial advice; verify current terms with Chime before making decisions.
