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Nubank Files for U.S. National Bank Charter

The OCC application marks Nubank’s first formal step toward a regulated U.S. presence.

Overview

  • The Brazilian fintech submitted its application on September 30 to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national bank license.
  • Pending approval, the planned U.S. bank would offer deposit accounts, credit cards, loans and custody of digital assets.
  • The U.S. entity would be a wholly owned Nu Holdings subsidiary led by cofounder Cristina Junqueira, who has relocated to the United States as CEO.
  • Nubank named a U.S. board chaired by former Brazil central bank chief Roberto Campos Neto, joined by Junqueira, Youssef Lahrech, former acting Comptroller Brian Brooks and investor Kelley Morrell.
  • Leaders described the move as extending its Latin American model—after Mexico’s CNBV bank authorization in April 2025—to better serve current U.S.-based customers while OCC review and operational buildout continue.