Sept 30 (Reuters) - Chain Bridge Bancorp, a lender

popular among Republicans since its inception, is targeting a

valuation of up to $167 million in its initial public offering

in the United States.

The IPO, relatively uncommon in the banking sector, comes

just about a month before the U.S. presidential election.

The McLean, Virginia-based bank, which only has one branch

and 84 employees, has beaten bigger financial rivals to become a

must-have partner for political work.

Strong debuts from recently listed companies have also

boosted the IPO market, particularly for profitable companies.

Chain Bridge is seeking proceeds of up to $48.1 million via

a sale of 1.85 million shares priced between $24 and $26 each,

it said on Monday.

Founded by former Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald, Chain

Bridge has worked with the campaign of every presidential

nominee from the Grand Old Party since John McCain in 2008,

Reuters reported in July.

The bank's fortunes are closely tied to the Party. Chain

Bridge has warned in its paperwork that "any event that

negatively impacts the Republican Party... could lead to

significant deposit outflows."

Still, the bank's strong credit quality might appeal to

investors at a time when worries about bad loans have battered

many industry players. Chain Bridge has had no non-performing

loans in the last 12 years, it said.

The lender is planning to use proceeds from the IPO for

general corporate purposes, such as funding its expansion and

for repaying debt. After the offering, the Fitzgerald family

will have nearly 48.72% of the combined voting power.

Piper Sandler, Raymond James and Hovde Group are the

underwriters for the IPO.

Chain Bridge will seek a listing on the New York Stock

Exchange under the symbol "CBNA."

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)