Digital banks gain U.S. customers during pandemic, thanks to early deposits

FILE PHOTO: U.S. one hundred dollar notes are seen in this picture illustration taken in Seoul February 7, 2011. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won

(Reuters) - Digital banks including Chime, Varo and Current have won over more U.S. customers during the coronavirus pandemic by processing stimulus payments quickly, setting them apart from traditional banks and generating valuable word-of-mouth referrals.

In some cases, the companies pre-funded deposits they expected their customers to receive from the Treasury Department. In others, they received funds quickly and sent them through faster than traditional banks. That generated praise from individuals who celebrated their early deposits online and encouraged others to join their digital banks.