Challenger Banks In South America News
- In November 2023, N26, a German challenger bank, announced its exit from Brazil, marking the end of its two-year stint in the South American market. This move aligns with N26's strategic shift in geographical focus. The bank made its foray into Brazil in 2021, having obtained a Sociedade de Crédito Direto (SCD) license from the Banco Central do Brasil.
- In October 2023, Nubank had introduced over 40 new products and features, including innovative credit options like FGTS anniversary withdrawal anticipation and NuConsignado for INSS retirees and pensioners. With operations in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, Nubank has exceeded 90 million customers in Latin America, solidifying its position as one of the world's fastest-growing financial services firms.
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- August 2024: Stripe was named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Recurring Billing Applications. Launched in 2018, Stripe Billing manages hundreds of millions of subscriptions for over 300,000 companies, offering flexible billing models and features. This recognition highlights its strong execution and vision in the billing sector.
- June 2024: Stripe launched new features in France, including Alma’s BNPL integration and advanced Stripe Terminal capabilities. The strengthened CB partnership now supports CB on Apple Pay and enhanced transaction features. Stripe's French user base has grown significantly, with major companies like Accor and TF1 joining the network.
- January 2023: ToYou, a delivery app established in Saudi Arabia, and the shopping and payment app Tabby partnered to create a new BNPL service in the country.
- June 2022: Postpay, a leading BNPL provider in the Middle East, partnered with Tap Payments to offer more innovative and popularly used payment methods to businesses.
- February 2023: The German neobank N26, also active in Switzerland, was looking for an acquisition allowing its customers to trade stocks and index funds.
- January 2023: The German neobank Rukky announced it has filed for bankruptcy after less than three years in operation. The decision to file for insolvency came after Ruuky failed to secure fresh funding from either new or existing investors.
The buy now pays later payment platform has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the rise in purchasing the consumer's goods through the online channel during Lockdown. Moreover, an increase in customer spending on health treatment, a rise in the cost of luxury electronic products, and an increase in the use of online payments services are some of the important factors that will accelerate the growth of the buy now pay later market during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the economies of various countries across the globe. International Monetary Fund Analysis has expected the global economy to shrink by 3% percent in the year 2021 compared to the year 2020. Due to decreasing GDP, the purchasing power of people across the globe is also expected to decrease. Over 20 million citizens in the U.S. have applied for unemployment benefits. Owing to all these factors, people across the globe may use BNPL platforms to pay their bills. The online transactions using BNPL platforms are also expected to increase during the forecast period.
July 2021 - Z1, a digital bank geared at Latin American GenZers based in Sao Paulo, has secured USD 2.5 million in a round led by Homebrew in the United States. Z1 is a digital banking software designed specifically for teenagers and young people. The company was formed on the idea that Brazilian and Latin American teenagers may become more financially independent by using its app and linked prepaid card. Z1 is focused on Brazil but the startup has plans to expand into other countries in Latin America over time.
June 2021 - Conductor, a leading payments & banking as service platform in Latin America, has announced the arrival of its technological platform in Mexico, considered strategic for the internationalization and global expansion of the company.
- August 2024: Stripe was named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Recurring Billing Applications. Launched in 2018, Stripe Billing manages hundreds of millions of subscriptions for over 300,000 companies, offering flexible billing models and features. This recognition highlights its strong execution and vision in the billing sector.
- June 2024: Stripe launched new features in France, including Alma’s BNPL integration and advanced Stripe Terminal capabilities. The strengthened CB partnership now supports CB on Apple Pay and enhanced transaction features. Stripe's French user base has grown significantly, with major companies like Accor and TF1 joining the network.
- March 2023: To grow, Medi Assist, a third-party administrator for health insurance, acquired Raksha Insurance. Medi Assist, based in Bengaluru, will be able to increase significantly its retail capabilities and fortify its position in the nation's interior thanks to the agreement.
- December 2022: Sedgwick set up a new business unit focused on resource solutions for its insurance clients in the United Kingdom. Sedgwick's experience and technical expertise help clients with temporary and permanent placements across claims handling divisions.
- December 2023: Conferma Pay and Mastercard expanded their partnership to enable mobile virtual card payments. Mastercard’s commercial bank clients were expected to be able to offer the convenience of contactless virtual card payments to their corporate customers using Conferma Pay.
- May 2022: Mastercard and fintech giant OPay announced a strategic partnership for broader financial inclusion and economic prosperity by opening digital commerce to millions across the Middle East and Africa.
In February 2023, the French MACIF Group announced that it was acquiring windshield repair company Mondial Pare-brise. Across France, Mondial Pare-Brise is the third largest player in the space and has a network of 806 locations. Macif is the first French insurer that acquire a car glass repair and replacement network.
In February 2022, AXA executed a share repurchase agreement with an investment services provider. AXA will buy back its shares for a maximum of USD 0.55 billion (EUR 0.5 billion) to neutralize earnings dilution from disposals.
- December 2022: ERGO launched a new brand claim and accompanying product campaign focusing on 'Making Insurance Easier' in all its marketing and customer communications.
- July 2022: Hanover Insurance introduced the Hanover i-on Sensor program to reduce business debt. Hanover Insurance Group is a leading non-life insurance company. Through strategic partnerships, Hanover's i-on-sense program provides business owners and organizations with a comprehensive suite of technology services to help prevent theft, property damage, workplace injuries, and other losses.
