On September 18, 2020 Chime – the neobank with 8M users, after closed fundraising was valued at $14.5B, became one of the most valuable US consumer fintech startups. CEO Chris Britt announced the company is “IPO-ready, likely NOT through a SPAC” within the next 12 months.
Together with Robinhood and Stripe, Chime will be one of the most anticipated upcoming fintech IPOs.
- Detailed instructions how to participate in Chime (pre-IPO, offering price) see below👇
What is an IPO and how it works
IPO is a process of offering shares of a private corporation to the public in a new stock issuance. Why go public? The primary benefit of going public is easier access to capital.
To go public, a company must have a track record of growth and other favorable results and hire an investment bank to come in and underwrite the IPO. The underwriters also performed due diligence and verified financial information and business model.
Once the paperwork done, the company sells the stock to institutional investors. When the initial block of shares has been sold, the company with underwriters' help sets an initial price and date for the stock to begin trading on a stock exchange.
Company Profile and Financial Indicators before Chime IPO
Chime is a fintech company that helps its members avoid bank fees, save money automatically, and lead healthier financial lives. The company was co-founded in 2013 by Chris Britt and Ryan King.
It offers a modern, mobile, and connected approach to banking that gives members complete control of their finances. Chime members receive a Chime debit card, a Spending Account, a Savings Account, and a powerful mobile app that keeps members in control. The Chime mobile app is available for iPhone and Android devices and has been featured as one of the best Money Management apps in the App Store.
Chime raised $485 million in its latest round of funding last month, bringing its total fundraising haul to $1.5 billion. Chime made a huge splash in 2020 when it gave users access to its $1,200 stimulus checks five days early. In total, Chime gave members early access to $1.5 billion in government stimulus payments.
How to Buy Chime Stocks Before the IPO (Offering Price)
In the past, IPOs as highly profitable investments were available only to the privileged customers of the leading brokerage firms and it was challenging for retail investors to gain access. You couldn't buy shares paying the price set by the company and you had to wait until the shares actually start trading on the public stock market at whatever stock price supply and demand allows.
Technologies and marketplaces changed the rules of the game, now regular investors can get pre-IPO shares. To participate in Chime IPO you need to use an IPO investing app like Freedom Finance (NASDAQ: FRHC), TD Ameritrade or Fidelity. They give its customers access to IPOs and secondary offerings through their existing brokerage account. Also you can buy Chime shares when the company goes public via a commission-free trading app like eToro.
🚨 Detailed Instructions How to Participate in the Chime IPO before public trading:
Below we share the instruction how to participate in the approaching Chime IPO using Freedom Finance (Freedom24 platform). This marketplace is chosen as an example because almost all high-profile IPOs are traded via this platform.
- Pros: almost all high-profile IPOs are available for participation via Freedom Finance, no eligibility requirements, no number of previous trades needed and low minimum investment amount for participating in an IPO.
- Cons: the user interface of the platform is a bit outdated.
* Freedom Finance services are NOT available to US citizens and residents.
- Apply for a Freedom Finance account — you need to prepare your identity document and a document confirming the address of residence (utility bill). The verification process is very fast, it will take 2 minutes to create your account.
- Deposit your account — to participate in an IPO, your account must have available funds in the amount you send IPO application for.
- 💡 Tip: It's recommended to deposit your account in advance. Often the exact IPO date is undefined until the last day. You may have a short notice for participation and account deposits also takes time for processing. Also, sometimes Freedom sends last-minute IPO offer when you have 2 hours to participate.
- Submit a request to participate in the IPO — when applications are open select Chime and click Participate in the IPO > input the amount you want to invest > Send your application. Note: Before the book closing, a request can be withdrawn. At the time of the book closing, 1 day before the start of the exchange trading, the specified amount will be blocked on the account.
- Wait for allocation — The actual number of stocks purchased during an IPO depends on supply and demand. The higher underwriter reserves the right to partial execution of collective applications. So if the demand is high you may get less than you applied for. Of course, you will only pay for the shares purchased. The rest of the funds will be returned to your account.
- Start of trading — With the beginning of the public trading on the stock exchange, the purchased shares will appear on the account and a lock-up period will start — a 93-day period of prohibition on sale. You can’t sell stocks, but you can track their current value and growth indicators in your personal member area and a trading terminal.
- Closing your trade — At the end of the 93 days lock-up period, you will be able to manage your stocks at your discretion — leave in the portfolio or sell and withdraw money or transfer the stocks to another depository/ broker in your name. This can be done in your account by clicking the ‘Sell’ button next to the name of the security. In this case, a commission of 0.5% of the amount of the sale transaction is charged.
Is investing in IPOs profitable?
Not always. The average return at the end of the lock-up period is 72%, past IPOs data.
When is the Chime IPO date?
Q2 - Q3 2021
Chime's IPO date is not defined yet. We will update when the exact Chime date IPO is known – if you want to get notified please subscribe for updates here.
What is Chime IPO price range?
Not defined yet. We will update when the Chime IPO offering price is known – if you want to get notified please subscribe for updates here.
How to Invest in Chime after the IPO date (opening price)?
After the IPO you can buy Chime stocks via Freedom24 on the first trading day. Also you can use a commission-free trading app like eToro.
In what currency Chime IPO and post-IPO shares will be traded?
The Chime IPO and stock trading currency will be USD.
If you have funds in another currency the cheapest way to convert your currency is to use the mid-market rate (that’s the one you’ll find on Google) which can be done via a fintech service like Transferwise. Banks may add hidden markups to their exchange rates - charging you more without your knowledge. And if they have a fee, they charge you twice. TransferWise never hides fees in the exchange rate.
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What is the Chime (stock symbol)
Undefined
Chime Registration Statement on Form S-1
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Sources used: CNBC, Forbes, Crunchbase
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