Chime, the prominent fintech neobank, is considering going public in 2025, as Bloomberg reported. Despite not engaging investment banks yet, Chime has not raised funds since 2021 when it was valued at $25 billion. It has also not disclosed the number of customers it has had in recent years. According to a survey by Cornerstone Advisors, Chime boasts over 38 million customers, surpassing the combined customer count of other fintechs like SoFi, Dave, MoneyLion, and Current.
The survey results by Cornerstone Advisors conflict with the publicly reported customer counts by some fintechs. Dave and MoneyLion both claim to serve around 10 million customers each, but these figures may not align with the Cornerstone survey’s criteria of checking or payments account holders. Nevertheless, Chime’s massive customer base is noteworthy, especially when compared to traditional banks like Bank of America and Chase, which have more diverse product offerings, making direct customer comparisons challenging.
Chime stands out by having a high percentage of primary customers in comparison to its competitors and established banks. Around half of Chime’s 38 million customers consider it their primary checking account provider, translating to significant market share among American adults and different generations. Despite its success, future challenges for Chime include sustaining customer growth, capturing younger consumers, expanding into credit services, and increasing spending wallet share.
Chime’s customer demographics reveal a younger skew, with most customers being under 45 years old and earning lower incomes compared to customers of large banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America. This demographic composition poses challenges for Chime to venture into credit products successfully. However, the neobank has opportunities to diversify revenue streams by offering bundled services to attract more customers and increase profitability.
Chime’s valuation question remains a significant consideration, especially in light of the fluctuating fintech valuation landscape. While its $25 billion valuation from 2021 may not reflect current market conditions, Chime’s sustained revenue and profitability amidst the fintech industry’s challenges position it as a potentially profitable investment opportunity. As Chime navigates its path towards an IPO, its ability to adapt to changing market dynamics, capture new customer segments, and expand its product offerings will be crucial factors in determining its future success.
