With more than five billion mobile wallet users worldwide, the future of cross-border payments lies not in wholesale transfers but in the vast flow of smaller retail and low value transactions that fuel travel, e-commerce, gig work, and remittances. FTX Intelligence estimates that retail cross-border payment flows are forecast to reach $64.5 trillion by 2032 .Cross-border payments have already become a daily habit for billions of people. Data from TerraPay and PYMNTS Intelligence shows that 70% of consumers ...

Core Insights - Triasima Portfolio Management Inc. sold 3,013 shares of MercadoLibre, valued at approximately $6.33 million, during the fourth quarter, leading to a decrease in the fund's quarter-end position by $7.19 million due to both the sale and price fluctuations [1][2]. Company Overview - MercadoLibre, Inc. is a leading e-commerce and fintech platform in Latin America, with a total revenue of $26.19 billion and a net income of $2.08 billion for the trailing twelve months [4]. - As of February 2, shares of MercadoLibre were priced at $2,145.37, reflecting a 12% increase over the past year, although it underperformed compared to the S&P 500's 15% gain during the same period [3][4]. Business Model - The company operates a comprehensive ecosystem that includes an online marketplace, fintech platform (Mercado Pago), logistics (Mercado Envios), digital advertising, and classified listings, generating revenue primarily through transaction fees, payment processing, credit solutions, and logistics services [5][6]. Financial Performance - In the third quarter, MercadoLibre reported $7.4 billion in net revenue and financial income, a 39% year-over-year increase, with operating income of $724 million and net income of $421 million [9]. - Payment volume surged by 41% year-over-year to $71.2 billion, and the number of monthly active fintech users reached 72 million, highlighting the scale of its ecosystem [9]. Investment Perspective - Following the sale, MercadoLibre represents only 0.14% of Triasima's assets under management, indicating it is a satellite holding rather than a core investment, especially when compared to larger positions in Canadian banks and other financials [3][8]. - The trimming of MercadoLibre shares reflects risk management rather than a lack of confidence in the company's fundamentals, which continue to show strong performance [10].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $35.2 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.57, representing increases of 17% and 28% respectively compared to the previous year [16] - Return on average assets was 1.87% and return on average tangible equity was 26.7%, compared to 1.61% and 25.5% respectively during the same quarter last year [16] - Deposits totaled $6.4 billion, a decrease of $170 million year-over-year, primarily due to an increase in custodial deposits [16][17] - Average deposits during the quarter were approximately $90 million higher than the previous year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income from commercial finance increased by $9.2 million due to higher balances and slightly higher yields [14] - Non-interest income showed solid results, particularly in core card and deposit fees, with growth attributed to new partners [15] - The company originated $1.9 billion in loans during the quarter, with $678 million in commercial finance and $1.2 billion in consumer finance [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced favorable deposit balances at multiple partners due to a strong holiday season and continued partner growth [17] - The government shutdown impacted secondary market revenues, but this is expected to normalize in subsequent quarters [15][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to optimize its balance sheet by rotating from securities to loans, increasing net interest income without growing overall asset size [9] - The focus is on generating fee income from balance sheet velocity and originating loans while maintaining a steady balance sheet [10] - The company is committed to enhancing the client experience through an evolved operating model that supports partner growth and scalability [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in revenue growth from new partnerships and the upcoming tax season, which is expected to drive more consumers into tax preparation offices [11][45] - The company is optimistic about the impact of new partner announcements and the normalization of pricing in the industry [41][42] - Management highlighted the importance of monitoring the performance of new partners and the potential for increased revenue from tax-related financial products [43][45] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 652,000 shares at an average price of $72.07, leaving 4.3 million shares available for repurchase [21] - The fiscal year 2026 guidance for EPS has been raised to a range of $8.55-9.05, assuming no additional rate cuts and an effective tax rate of 18-22% [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the trajectory of the adjusted NIM for Q2? - Management indicated that the adjusted NIM for Q2 is expected to be around 5.31%, with potential for it to be flat to up depending on the macroeconomic environment [25][26] Question: Can you quantify the recovery recorded within the net charge-offs? - Management did not provide specific figures but mentioned that the details would be available in the earnings release [27] Question: How does the company view the threat of FinTechs obtaining their own bank charters? - Management believes that while some FinTechs may pursue bank charters, the complexity and scale required to operate effectively will limit their competitive pressure [29][30] Question: What is the current partner pipeline and expectations for future announcements? - Management reported a full partner pipeline and expressed optimism about future announcements, indicating that the number of partnerships is increasing [42] Question: What factors will influence the updated guidance for the fiscal year? - The timing of new partner contributions and the success of the tax season are key factors that will influence the guidance range [43][45]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $35.2 million, an increase of 17% year-over-year, and earnings per diluted share of $1.57, up 28% compared to the previous year [16] - Return on average assets was 1.87%, compared to 1.61% in the same quarter last year, while return on average tangible equity was 26.7%, up from 25.5% [16] - Deposits totaled $6.4 billion, a decrease of $170 million year-over-year, primarily due to an increase in custodial deposits [16][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income from commercial finance increased by $9.2 million due to higher balances and slightly higher yields [14] - Non-interest income showed solid results, particularly in core card and deposit fees, with growth attributed to new partners [15] - Loans and leases increased to $5 billion, driven by a $531 million increase in commercial finance loans, partially offset by a $148 million decrease in consumer finance loans [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average deposits during the quarter were approximately $90 million higher than the previous year, with favorable deposit balances due to a strong holiday season [17] - The company originated $1.9 billion in loans during the quarter, with $678 million in commercial finance and $1.2 billion in consumer finance [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to optimize its balance sheet by rotating from securities to loans, increasing net interest income without growing overall asset size [9] - The focus is on generating fee income from balance sheet velocity and originating loans while maintaining a steady balance sheet [10] - The company is committed to enhancing the client experience through an evolved operating model that supports partner growth and scalability [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in revenue growth from new partnerships and the upcoming tax season, which is expected to drive more consumers into tax preparation offices [11][21] - The company anticipates that the changes in tax code for 2025 will positively impact consumer engagement [11] - Management remains optimistic about the pipeline of new partners and the normalization of pricing in the industry [44] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 652,000 shares at an average price of $72.07, leaving 4.3 million shares available for repurchase [21] - The fiscal year 2026 guidance for earnings per share has been raised to a range of $8.55-$9.05, based on several assumptions including no additional rate cuts [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the trajectory for adjusted NIM in Q2? - Management indicated that the adjusted NIM has shown an upward trajectory, with a starting point of 5.49% for Q2, assuming no rate cuts [25][26] Question: Can you quantify the recovery recorded within net charge-offs? - Management did not provide specific figures but mentioned that the details would be available in the earnings release [27] Question: How does the company view the threat of FinTechs obtaining their own bank charters? - Management believes that while there may be some competition, the scale and complexity of operations will limit the impact of new charters on their business [30][31] Question: What is the current partner pipeline and expectations for new announcements? - Management reported a full pipeline and expressed optimism about future partner announcements, indicating that the number of opportunities is increasing [44] Question: What factors will influence the updated guidance? - The timing of new partner contributions and the success of the tax season are key factors that could affect the guidance range [49][50]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $35.2 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.57, representing increases of 17% and 28% respectively compared to the previous year [15] - Return on average assets was 1.87% and return on average tangible equity was 26.7%, up from 1.61% and 25.5% respectively in the same quarter last year [15] - Deposits totaled $6.4 billion, a decrease of $170 million year-over-year, primarily due to an increase in custodial deposits [15][16] - Average deposits during the quarter were approximately $90 million higher than the previous year [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income from commercial finance increased by $9.2 million due to higher balances and slightly higher yields [12][13] - Non-interest income showed solid results, particularly in core card and deposit fees, with growth attributed to new partners [14] - Loans and leases increased to $5 billion, driven by a $531 million increase in commercial finance loans, partially offset by a $148 million decrease in consumer finance loans [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced favorable deposit balances at multiple partners due to a strong holiday season and continued partner growth [16] - The government shutdown impacted secondary market revenues, but this is expected to recover in subsequent quarters [14][39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to optimize its balance sheet by rotating from securities to loans, increasing net interest income without growing overall asset size [9] - Pathward is focused on financial inclusion, providing solutions for underserved and unbanked individuals and businesses [7] - The company is enhancing its operating model to better align with partners and support their growth [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in revenue growth from new partnerships and the upcoming tax season, anticipating benefits from changes in tax code [10][11] - The company is optimistic about the impact of new partner announcements and the normalization of pricing in the industry [36][37] - Management highlighted the importance of monitoring new partners and the potential for increased loan originations throughout the year [44] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 652,000 shares at an average price of $72.07, with 4.3 million shares still available for repurchase [19] - The fiscal year 2026 guidance for EPS has been increased to a range of $8.55-$9.05 [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the adjusted NIM trajectory for Q2? - Management indicated that the adjusted NIM for Q2 is expected to be around 5.31%, with potential for it to be flat to up depending on the macroeconomic environment [21][22] Question: Can you quantify the recovery recorded within net charge-offs? - Management stated that specific quantification of the recovery is not available, but aggregate numbers can be found in the earnings release [23] Question: How does the emergence of FinTechs obtaining bank charters impact the company? - Management believes that while there may be some competition, the scale and complexity of operations required to match Pathward's offerings will take time for new entrants [25][26] Question: What is the embedded growth from new partners? - Management expects mid to high single-digit contributions from new partners once programs are launched and live [32][33] Question: What factors will influence the updated guidance? - The timing of new partner contributions and the success of the tax season are key factors that could push results toward the higher end of the guidance [38][40]

Core Insights - Credicorp's digital banking subsidiary, Tenpo, has received operating authorization from Chile's financial regulator, making it the first licensed neobank in the country [1][2] - Tenpo is set to begin operations in the first half of 2026, offering core banking products such as checking accounts, consumer loans, and term deposits [2][5] - The licensing process for Tenpo began in January 2024, culminating in final authorization after several stages, including provisional authorization and legal existence [4] Company Overview - Credicorp is the leading financial services holding company in Peru, with operations in Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Panama, and the United States, and has a diversified business portfolio across various financial sectors [7] - Tenpo, founded in 2020, has rapidly grown its user base to over 2.5 million, focusing on a fully digital, technology-first model that emphasizes customer-centricity and financial inclusion [6]

Core Insights - Alpha Modus Financial Services and SurgePays have signed a Letter of Intent to form a commercial integration and distribution partnership aimed at enhancing financial access for subprime and underserved consumers across the U.S. [1] - The partnership seeks to leverage SurgePays' extensive retail network to create a significant distribution channel for financial services [3][5] Industry Context - Over 100 million Americans visit convenience stores and small merchants monthly for essential services, many of whom are underserved and rely on prepaid mobile services or cash transactions [2] - SurgePays targets the underbanked population, which represents a substantial market opportunity for financial services [12] Partnership Objectives - The collaboration will integrate Alpha Modus' upcoming digital wallet, "Alpha Cash," allowing users to cash checks, pay bills, transfer funds, and purchase prepaid cards [4] - SurgePays aims to pre-load Alpha Cash on 3,000 new devices daily, enhancing customer engagement and financial inclusion [5] Strategic Implementation - The partnership will focus on integrating Alpha Cash as the primary financial services partner within SurgePays' retail assets, enhancing monetization and customer acquisition strategies [6] - SurgePays will utilize its existing platforms to promote Alpha Cash, aiming to improve unit economics and accelerate customer growth [6] Technical Integration - The LOI outlines plans for integrating SurgePays' Top-Up and benefits-enrollment platforms with Alpha Cash, as well as deploying SurgePays' ClearLine POS technology across the AMFS merchant network [7][9] - This integration is expected to create new pathways for financial empowerment and retailer growth [9] Future Steps - Both companies will work towards definitive agreements covering technical integration, pricing, revenue-sharing models, and pilot deployments with select AMFS merchants [9]

Core Thesis - Nu Holdings Ltd. is positioned for significant growth in the U.S. market through its recent filing for a national bank charter, which will enable it to expand operations and better serve underserved communities [2][5]. Expansion Strategy - The filing for a U.S. national bank charter is a critical step for Nu, allowing it to operate across all 50 states and target low-income and Latin American communities [2][4]. - Nu's expansion strategy includes offering no-fee accounts, competitive credit cards, high deposit interest, loans, investment products, crypto services, and low-cost remittances, appealing to an estimated 60 million potential customers [4][5]. Competitive Advantage - Nu leverages cloud-based infrastructure, AI, and automation to maintain a structural cost advantage over traditional U.S. banks, enabling scalable and low-cost operations [5]. - The company has a strong balance sheet and regulatory experience across three countries, which enhances its likelihood of receiving approval for the bank charter [3][5]. Market Opportunity - The U.S. market represents a multibillion-dollar opportunity for Nu, with the potential to replicate its successful growth trajectory in Latin America [5]. - Although meaningful profits are projected to be years away, the filing indicates Nu's long-term ambition to establish itself as a dominant low-cost digital bank [5]. Performance Metrics - Nu Holdings Ltd.'s stock was trading at $17.04 as of January 12th, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 33.03 and 21.23 respectively [1]. - The stock has appreciated approximately 29.77% since a previous bullish thesis was published, reflecting continued execution and growth in the region [6].

When a company wants to pay its employees in different countries using stablecoins, it encounters a roadblock: many countries use different stablecoin service providers. There is Yellow Card in South Africa, Onmeta in India, and so on. Pankaj Bengani, a veteran of payment giant Block, founded Meld in part to fix this issue. He is building a network that aims to be a one-stop shop for companies and individuals to access and convert digital assets globally. The startup announced on Wednesday that it raised ...

Financial Aid and Stimulus Developments - No new federal economic impact payments are scheduled for January 2026, with the last aid round concluding in 2021, and residual Recovery Rebate Credits being processed until early 2025 [1] - Proposed tariff-funded dividends of $2,000 per citizen are under discussion, with no congressional approval or timeline, potentially targeting 2026 for implementation [2] - A $1,776 tax-free "Warrior Dividend" has been distributed to approximately 1.5 million military service members as a supplement to housing allowances [2] Social Security and Cost-of-Living Adjustments - Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in January, increasing average monthly benefits by around $56 [3] - Retired workers may receive average benefits of about $2,013 pre-COLA, with maximums reaching $5,108 for top earners who delayed claims [4] Corporate Settlements and Refunds - Amazon's $2.5 billion settlement with the FTC includes $1.5 billion in refunds for deceptive subscription practices, capped at $51 per affected customer [4] - Alphabet's $700 million settlement over alleged monopolistic practices in the Google Play Store promises automatic payments to users overcharged from 2016 to 2023, expected to be distributed via PayPal or Venmo after court approval in April 2026 [5] Fintech Innovations in Financial Distributions - Fintech companies are enhancing the distribution of financial aids, with platforms like PayPal and Venmo facilitating faster, contactless transfers, reducing processing times from weeks to days [7] - Integrations with direct deposit systems through apps like Chime or Cash App allow users to track government aids in real-time, promoting financial inclusion for underserved consumers [8] - The digitization of payouts by fintechs aims to cut administrative costs and improve economic resilience, transforming complex settlements into efficient user-friendly experiences [8] State-Specific Developments - Minnesota's childcare subsidies are facing disruptions due to a freeze on federal payments over fraud concerns, with a deadline for submitting recipient details set for January 9, 2026 [6]