With over 127 million customers across Latin America, Nu is preparing to bring its award-winning digital banking platform to the United States and dozens of other countries worldwide following its national bank charter application.
Nu, the Brazilian fintech giant known as Nubank in its home market, has officially announced its global expansion plans, with the United States positioned as a key target market. The company has launched a dedicated landing page at nu.co and an Instagram presence at @nu.usa, marking the next chapter in its journey toward becoming a truly global digital banking platform.
From Charter Application to Global Launch
The global expansion announcement comes several months after Nu filed for a U.S. National Bank Charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in September 2024—a critical regulatory step that would allow the company to offer full banking services directly to American consumers without partnering with existing chartered institutions.
"Today, our core focus remains on delivering growth in our existing markets, where we continue to see substantial opportunities for expansion," said David Vélez, Nu's founder and CEO at the time of the charter application. "At the same time, applying for a U.S. national charter helps us better serve our existing customers based in the country and, in the future, connect with those who share similar financial needs."
Leadership Commitment to the U.S. Market
Demonstrating serious intent, Nu co-founder and Chief Growth Officer Cristina Junqueira relocated full-time to the United States to serve as CEO of the new subsidiary. The U.S. business operates as a fully owned subsidiary of Nu Holdings, Nubank's parent company.
The company has assembled an impressive board for its U.S. operations, chaired by Roberto Campos Neto, former president of Brazil's Central Bank. Other board members include Brian Brooks, former Acting Comptroller of the Currency, and Kelley Morrell, former Blackstone executive and U.S. Treasury Department official.
What Nu Promises American Customers
According to the company's promotional materials, Nu is positioning itself as "a new way of banking" built around several core principles:
Powerful Tech with Elegant Design
Nu emphasizes a mobile-first approach with an intuitive app interface that has earned the company recognition as Best Digital Bank globally by Finovate and Digital Bank of the Year 2025 by The Banker.
Premium Products Without Nonsense Fees
The landing page prominently features foreign exchange and money transfer services, suggesting Nu will compete directly with traditional banks on international transaction fees—a significant pain point for many American consumers and businesses.
If approved, the national bank charter would enable Nu to offer:
- Deposit accounts
- Cartes de crédit
- Lending products
- Digital asset custody services
- International money transfers
Protection Built Into Every Step
Security and fraud prevention are highlighted as core features, with savings products and comprehensive account protection emphasized throughout the user experience.
Support From Real People
Unlike many digital-only banks that rely exclusively on chatbots, Nu promises access to human customer support when needed, blending digital convenience with personalized service.
Impressive Track Record and Recognition
Nu's expansion announcement comes from a position of considerable strength, bolstered by recent accolades and robust financial performance:
Awards and Recognition:
- Named to TIME's World's Best Companies 2025 list
- Recognized as The Banker's Digital Bank of the Year 2025
- Ranked #4 on Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list
- Named Best Digital Bank globally by Finovate
Financial Performance:
In Q2 2025, Nu posted record revenue of $3.7 billion, representing 40% year-over-year growth. The platform maintains an impressive activity rate above 83% and has become the primary banking relationship for most of its active customers.
The company has also secured a high-profile partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, signaling its ambition to build a global brand presence beyond Latin America.
A Massive Global Expansion Strategy
While the United States represents Nu's most significant expansion opportunity, the company's ambitions extend far beyond North America. The landing page's country selector includes options for customers in over 100 countries:
- North America: United States, Canada
- Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and dozens more
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, and others
- Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
- Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and many more
- Latin America: Expanding beyond Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia to additional markets
This represents one of the most ambitious global rollouts in digital banking history, potentially bringing Nu into competition with established players across multiple continents simultaneously.
What This Means for the US Digital Banking Landscape
Nu's entry into the US market comes at a pivotal moment for digital banking. While American neobanks like Chime, Current, and Varo have established significant user bases, none have achieved the scale or profitability that Nu has demonstrated in Latin America.
The company's approach differs from many US digital banks in several fundamental ways:
- Full banking license approach: Rather than partnering with existing banks through Banking-as-a-Service providers, Nu is pursuing its own national charter
- Proven profitability: Unlike many US fintechs still seeking profitability, Nu has demonstrated sustainable unit economics at massive scale
- International product suite: Built-in multi-currency support and international transfer capabilities from day one
- Global brand building: The F1 partnership and international marketing suggest significant investment in brand awareness
- Customer scale experience: Managing 127+ million customers provides operational expertise most competitors lack
From Brazilian Startup to Global Banking Platform
Founded in 2013 with a mission to fight complexity in financial services, Nubank started with a simple no-fee credit card in Brazil. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021 under ticker symbol NU and has since expanded into a full-service digital bank serving customers across three Latin American countries.
The platform's success in Latin America has been driven by:
- Eliminating hidden fees and confusing terms
- Mobile-first design prioritizing user experience
- Rapid feature deployment and product innovation
- Customer-centric service philosophy
- Financial inclusion for previously underbanked populations
Nu's customer base of 127 million makes it one of the largest digital banking platforms in the world—larger than many traditional banks and significantly ahead of most global neobanks.
Timeline and Next Steps
Nu has opened a waitlist for interested customers through its landing page at nu.co, though no specific launch date has been announced. The company promises "exclusive updates" in the coming months, suggesting a phased rollout approach.
The regulatory approval process for the national bank charter could take considerable time as the OCC scrutinizes Nu's compliance frameworks, capital requirements, and operational plans for the highly regulated U.S. banking market. However, the company's track record with Brazilian and Mexican regulators, combined with its experienced U.S. board, positions it favorably for eventual approval.
For American consumers frustrated with traditional banking fees, limited international transfer options, or seeking alternatives to existing digital banks, Nu's arrival could represent a significant new option—particularly for those with financial ties to Latin America or international banking needs.
The Bottom Line
Nu's U.S. expansion represents more than just another neobank entering the American market. With proven profitability at scale, a comprehensive product suite, and backing from sophisticated investors, Nu brings a different value proposition than most digital banking startups.
The company's tagline for its global expansion says it all: "The Nu standard is coming."
Whether that standard resonates with American consumers—who have different banking behaviors and expectations than Latin American markets—remains to be seen. But with 127 million satisfied customers, a national bank charter application in process, and one of fintech's most successful founding teams at the helm, Nu is positioning itself as a serious challenger to both traditional banks and existing digital banking platforms.
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Sources:
- Nu Global: https://www.nu.co/2026-en
- Nu USA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nu.usa/
- Previous coverage: https://neobanque.ch/blog/nubank-us-national-bank-charter-application/
- Nu Company News: https://international.nubank.com.br/company
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Nu currently serves customers in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. The US launch timeline and specific product offerings will be announced in the coming months pending regulatory approval. Interested customers can join the waitlist at nu.co.