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Nubank, Latin America’s largest digital bank, has formally applied for a U.S. national bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), a move that would enable it to extend its services to American customers.
With the license, Nubank would be able to offer deposit accounts, credit cards, lending products, and digital asset custody in the U.S. — expanding beyond its established footprint in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
David Vélez, founder and CEO of Nu Holdings, emphasized that while the company’s core focus remains its Latin American markets, the U.S. charter represents a strategic opportunity:
“Our priority continues to be driving growth in our existing markets, where we see significant room for expansion. At the same time, applying for a U.S. national charter helps us serve existing customers in the country and, in the future, reach others who could benefit from our products and services.”
In Mexico, where Nubank already serves more than 10 million customers, its subsidiary Nu Mexico received approval from the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV) in April 2025 to become a licensed bank and is awaiting final operational clearance.
To strengthen its U.S. bid, Nubank has brought in high-profile regulatory experts, including Brian Brooks, former Acting Comptroller of the Currency, and Kelley Morrell, a former U.S. Treasury executive.
Cristina Junqueira, co-founder of Nubank and CEO of the emerging U.S. business, noted:
“While there is work ahead, we believe that by collaborating closely with regulators, we will soon be in a position to broaden our offering to the wider U.S. market.”
Founded in 2013, Nubank has grown into a fintech giant, now boasting more than 100 million customers in Brazil alone and reporting a record $1 billion in annual profit in its last financial year.
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