Nu Crashes the US Banking Party: 127 Million Guests RSVP’d

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Well, slap my wallet and call me impressed. Nu, the Latin American neobank that’s been hoarding customers like a squirrel hoards acorns, has finally gotten the green light to bring its digital circus to the U.S. With 127 million customers already in its pocket, Nu is now ready to prove that traditional banks are about as relevant as a flip phone at a tech conference.

Nu Gets the OCC’s Blessing to Invade U.S. Wallets

São Paulo’s darling, Nu, is packing its digital bags and heading north. Because, you know, 127 million customers in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico just weren’t enough to satisfy its insatiable appetite for disruption.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has given Nu a conditional thumbs-up to launch Nubank N.A., a national bank that promises to be as digital-first as your grandma is analog-last. Now, Nu just needs to dot some i’s, cross some t’s, and raise a boatload of cash in the next 18 months. Easy peasy, right?

According to Nu’s founder and CEO, David Velez, this move is less about expansion and more about proving a point: “Digital banking is the future, and we’re here to shove it in everyone’s face-politely, of course.” Velez also assured everyone that Nu remains “fully focused” on its core markets, which is banker-speak for “we’re not abandoning our old friends, just making new ones who have deeper pockets.”

Cristina Junqueira, Nu’s co-founder, will be at the helm of this new venture, with former Central Bank of Brazil President Roberto Campos Neto as Chairman. Because if there’s one thing a digital bank needs, it’s a boardroom full of people who remember what a checkbook looks like.

Meanwhile, Nu is already the biggest kid on the block in Brazil, with 61% of the country’s adults as customers. That’s right-more people trust Nu with their money than trust their own government. Ouch.

FAQ ❓

  • What’s Nu’s latest stunt?
    Nu is crashing the U.S. banking party after getting the OCC’s conditional approval to launch Nubank N.A.
  • How many customers does Nu have?
    127 million, give or take a few who forgot their passwords.
  • What’s next for Nu in the U.S.?
    Paperwork, capitalization, and probably a few sleepless nights for traditional bankers.
  • Who’s running this show?
    Cristina Junqueira, with Roberto Campos Neto as the wise old owl overseeing everything.

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2026-02-01 08:27