It is true.
The crowdfunding component of the funding round was a huge challenge and a lot of effort to coordinate. It would have probably been much easier to not do it, and accept the money from institutional investors instead. But it’s extremely important to Tom and everyone here that customers can own a part of the bank.
For those who have invested (myself included before I became staff), the value of their shares has increased a lot, so they are indeed sharing in the success of the bank.
Hope this makes sense.