Fintech firm Chime announced its acquisition of Salt Labs, an enterprise technology company dedicated to enhancing the financial stability of hourly workers.
The transaction, which did not disclose its financial details, positions Chime to tap into new growth and revenue opportunities through Salt Labs’ extensive enterprise client network, according to the announcement.
Salt Labs, founded in 2022, specializes in an employee rewards program named Salt, which functions similarly to a savings account and targets everyday American workers.
The company has established partnerships across various sectors, including transportation, hospitality, and customer service, contributing to its rapid growth and innovation in the enterprise earned wage access space.
Chime’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Troughton, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition. He said:
This acquisition is a unique opportunity for Chime to integrate a trailblazing employee rewards company into our fold, bringing with it valuable employer relationships and a talented founding team. Our goal is to leverage these new capabilities to reach millions of consumers directly through their employers and introduce them to Chime’s financial products.
With this acquisition, Chime is set to launch a new business division, Chime Enterprise, to be led by Jason Lee, the founder and CEO of Salt Labs. This new unit will focus on promoting Chime’s growth through employer-based channels, building on the company’s existing MyPay™ earned wage access platform.
Jason Lee commented on the transition:
Joining Chime marks a thrilling new chapter for us. We believe that financial progress starts with employment, centered around a primary financial account. I am excited to lead Chime Enterprise and work alongside Chime’s team to innovate and expand our reach.”
Chime is a San Francisco-based fintech company, not a bank, founded with the mission to make banking services more helpful, transparent, and fair.
Unlike traditional banks, Chime’s business model eschews fees typically charged to consumers, such as overdraft, monthly service, or minimum balance fees. Chime partners with The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A., both members of FDIC, to offer banking services.
Salt Labs, on the other hand, is a pioneering enterprise technology firm offering employee rewards and incentives that foster savings and financial growth, aiming to enhance employee motivation and engagement within various industries.