When Chime launched a Discord server, we didn’t just want to jump on a trend—we wanted to build a space for members to connect, learn, and grow together in real time.
“I originally had the idea in my Chime interview,” says Stephanie Dumas, a Chime Community Operations Specialist. “I answered a question about how Chime could better support our members with, ‘It’d be really cool if Chime had a Discord server.’”
Fast forward: Chime’s Discord is now live, and Stephanie was part of the team leading the initiative from concept to execution.
Joining her was Jake Ford, who leads Social Experience at Chime. For Jake, Discord offered a chance to expand how we connect with our members: “We wanted to give people more surface area of Chime to connect over—not just with us, but with each other, too.”
Together, Stephanie, Jake, and a team of cross-functional Chimers brought the server to life, balancing openness, learning, and playfulness with security, structure, and purpose.
“I’m excited about what Discord can unlock for members we haven’t traditionally heard from. It creates space for connection, feedback, and real-time support in ways that feel modern, inclusive, and tailored to how some of our members already communicate.”— Sam Krause, VP, Member Strategy & Experience Operations
Building a community from the ground up
For Stephanie, the launch was deeply personal. With a background in content creation and a love for online communities, she wanted to create something different: a space that felt spontaneous and social, but also safe and thoughtful. “Member safety is number one,” she explains. “That means no file uploads, limited image sharing, and careful channel moderation.”
The team worked across departments—from Legal to Security, and from Marketing to IT—to ensure every detail was thoughtfully handled before opening the doors to our member community.
For Jake, the work was just as much about strategy: “We had to decide whether we had the right resources to support a community like this,” he says. “Because the reality is, good discussion doesn’t happen without good infrastructure.”
With platforms like Reddit and the private Chime Crew Facebook group already active, Discord felt like the right next step—a more synchronous, live environment designed for dynamic conversations and real-time connection.
Channels, culture, and early surprises
After months of preparation, the server launched with a clear intention: create meaningful ways for members to interact, share, and support each other. Themed channels provided structure while allowing room for personality and discovery:
#stories-of-progress: A space for members to share how Chime has supported their financial journeys—big or small
#cool-saving-hacks: A forum for swapping budgeting tips, saving strategies, and credit-building advice
#furball-friends: A runaway favorite, with more than 100 photos shared in just the first few days
“The speed and enthusiasm of engagement really surprised us,” Jake says. “It shows how personally connected members feel to each other—and that Chime is the common thread tying it all together.”
Beyond casual conversation, the server quickly became a channel for real-time product feedback. Members surfaced bugs, suggested improvements, and shared ideas the team could act on. “It’s become a true two-way feedback loop,” Stephanie adds. “Members bring us insights, and we can show them what we’re working on. It’s made the community feel both fun and functional.”
Safety first, always
With any open community, safety is critical. While Discord offers strong built-in moderation tools, Chime added multiple layers of protection: keyword filters, image scanning, role-based permissions, and limitations on uploads. File sharing is disabled, and image posting is restricted to specific channels—like pets.
Stephanie worked closely with Chime’s Risk and Security teams to proactively block known scam patterns and ensure safeguards were in place, especially during sweepstakes or promotional periods.
“We wanted members to be able to speak freely, but within thoughtful guardrails,” she says. “We believe you can have lively dialogue without compromising security, and we crafted our server accordingly.”
Measuring success—and what’s next
Though still new, Chime’s Discord community has taken off. The team tracks active users, message volume, and engagement rates to understand the server’s health and growth. A key goal is fostering “super members”—highly engaged community members who champion Chime’s mission and help others along the way.
The team just launched gamification and, looking ahead, they plan to introduce exclusive events and rewards. Members may soon earn swag, badges, or roles based on their participation. “We’re building visual identifiers in the server,” Jake says. “We want to recognize and reward the people who help make the space great.”
Stephanie envisions even more: partnerships with creators, hosted educational events, and an event space that brings real value to members’ financial journeys. “It’s already clear we made the right call,” she says. “The first day, we had 100 members join—all organically, with zero promotion. They just showed up—a testament to the strength of our community.”
What it says about Chime
For both Jake and Stephanie, the Discord launch is more than just a new platform—it’s a reflection of Chime’s culture and values.
“We genuinely care about our members,” Jake says. “This project shows how we’re meeting them where they are and giving them tools to thrive.”
Stephanie agrees: “It’s a bit cliché, but ‘member-obsessed’ really does describe this place. Chime shows, over and over again, how willing it is to invest in and protect our community.”
Want to join us?
If you’re a Chime member and want to connect with others, share your story, or just post a pet pic (yes, we really love those)—come join the server: discord.gg/chimefinancial
We’ll see you in the chat 💬 🐸