Chime Financial Inc-A(CHYM) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, the company achieved a 29% year-over-year revenue growth, with adjusted EBITDA margin improving by 9 percentage points year-over-year to 5% [6][17][24] - The revenue run rate reached $2 billion, with a full-year revenue guidance of $2.163 billion to $2.173 billion, exceeding previous forecasts [5][24][25] - Active members increased by 21% year-over-year to 9.1 million, with a sequential increase of approximately 400,000 from Q2 [6][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The new Chime Card was launched, offering 1.5% cash back for direct depositors, contributing to a significant increase in member engagement and spending [9][10] - MyPay, a liquidity product, achieved an annual run rate of over $350 million with a transaction margin exceeding 45%, showing strong growth since its launch [10][22] - Average revenue per active member (RPAM) grew 6% year-over-year to $245, with seasoned cohorts reaching over $350 RPAM [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Chime's unaided awareness in the online banking category reached 41%, up 12 points since 2023, indicating strong brand recognition [11] - The fastest-growing consumer segment includes members earning $75,000 or more annually, reflecting a shift in demographics [9][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its product offerings, including a new premium membership tier, joint accounts, custodial accounts, and investment products [13][14][49] - Chime Core, the proprietary transaction processing system, is expected to drive future product innovation and cost efficiency, with gross margins projected to approach 90% in Q4 [12][22][47] - The company is optimistic about its enterprise business unit, which is expected to drive direct deposit growth with lower customer acquisition costs [15][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of its member base despite macroeconomic risks, noting strong financial health and spending trends among members [6][35] - The company anticipates continued strong growth in 2026, with expectations for improved adjusted EBITDA margins and slower operating expense growth [24][26] Other Important Information - A $200 million share repurchase authorization was announced, reflecting confidence in the company's valuation and cash flow generation [16] - The company completed its migration to Chime Core ahead of schedule, enhancing operational efficiency and product development capabilities [12][47] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the competitive dynamics regarding member growth? - Management noted strong momentum and competitive positioning, with a record number of new active members and improved customer acquisition costs [28][30] Question: What is the outlook for payment volume per user? - Management clarified that while payment volume per user may appear down, the rapid adoption of outbound instant transfers (OIT) is shifting revenue from payments to platform, resulting in overall revenue growth [33][34] Question: How will margin expansion progress? - Management expects gross margins to approach 90% in Q4 due to the migration to Chime Core and improved loss rates on MyPay, with continued progress anticipated [38][39] Question: What is the status of the instant loan product? - The instant loan product has shown high customer satisfaction and is expected to expand further, although no specific guidance was provided [42] Question: Can you provide insights on the enterprise channel? - Management reported strong adoption rates among enterprise partners and expressed optimism about the growth potential in this channel [43][45]