Group 1 - Block, Inc. is included in Cathie Wood's Growth Stock Portfolio, indicating a positive outlook from notable investment figures [1] - Piper Sandler has maintained an Underweight rating on Block, Inc. and reduced its price target from $55 to $51 ahead of the company's quarterly reports [2] - Truist has reaffirmed a Hold rating on Block, Inc. and increased its price target from $68 to $72, anticipating strong fourth-quarter results but cautioning about year-over-year comparisons [3] Group 2 - Block, Inc. has raised its full-year gross profit outlook to $10.2 billion for 2025, consistent with the previous quarter's forecast [4] - The company reported a net income of $461.54 million, or 74 cents per share, significantly up from last year's net income of $283.75 million, or 45 cents per share [4] - Block, Inc. provides payment services and has developed Cash App, a person-to-person payment network, highlighting its role in the FinTech sector [4]

Company Overview - Brazilian FinTech PicPay has successfully raised $434 million in its U.S. initial public offering (IPO) [1] - The company sold 22.8 million shares at $19 each, achieving the high end of its target price range, and is set to begin trading on Nasdaq [2] - The IPO values PicPay at $2.5 billion, marking a significant move for its owners, Wesley and Joesley Batista, who are also looking to list their global meatpacking business JBS in the U.S. market [2] Industry Context - The IPO occurs during a resurgence of funding in the Latin American FinTech space, particularly from venture capital, which has facilitated ongoing financial innovation [4] - Digital wallets, account-to-account transfers, and real-time payment systems are increasingly replacing cash, modernizing commerce and enhancing access to formal financial services [5] - By 2030, digital payments are expected to account for approximately two-thirds of eCommerce transaction value and nearly half of point-of-sale value in Latin America, indicating a structural shift in consumer behavior [5] Brazil's Digital Payment Landscape - Brazil is leading the region in digital payments, with 61% of Brazilian consumers using mobile phones for retail purchases, the highest rate among surveyed countries [5] - The infrastructure supporting this behavior includes Pix, Brazil's government-backed real-time payment system, which processed 64 billion transactions in 2024, surpassing combined debit and credit card volumes [6] - Additionally, Brazil-based digital bank Inter has received regulatory approval to operate in the U.S., further expanding the country's financial services landscape [6]

British FinTech Revolut has officially launched its banking operations in Mexico.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.Revolut Bank S.A Institución de Banca Múltiple is the first bank the company has esta ...

De novo charters and ILCs are reshaping competition, allowing nonbanks to build purpose-designed, digital-first banks with access to insured deposits and lending power.After years of relying on sponsor banks and acquisitions, regulatory thaw and consumer openness to neobanks have accelerated direct entry into the regulated banking system, including trust and digital asset charters.Nonbanks and firms like Revolut, Affirm, PayPal, Ford and General Motors are pursuing bank charters or industrial loan companies ...

Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) is one of the Best Long-Term Tech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On January 20, Truist analyst Matthew Coad lifted the firm’s price objective on the company’s stock to $72 from $68, while keeping a “Hold” rating, as reported by The Fly. This was seen as part of the broader research note, which previewed Q4 2025 earnings in FinTech. Truist Raises PT on Block (XYZ) Stock The analyst expects the quarter’s results to be strong. However, a difficult YoY comparison could restrict t ...

Core Insights - Affirm is seeking to establish a bank subsidiary named Affirm Bank to enhance its financial services and product offerings [2][3] - The proposed bank will be a Nevada-chartered industrial loan company, allowing Affirm to scale operations while being FDIC-insured [2][3] - Affirm's CEO, Max Levchin, emphasized that the banking subsidiary would diversify the platform and provide more accessible financial products to consumers and merchants [4] Company Developments - Affirm has submitted applications to the Nevada Financial Institutions Division and the FDIC for the establishment of Affirm Bank [2] - If approved, Affirm Bank will operate independently with its own governance and internal controls [3] - The establishment of the bank is part of Affirm's strategy to expand access to financial products, particularly for younger consumers and those underserved by traditional credit systems [5] Industry Context - The trend among FinTech companies, including Affirm, is to pursue bank charters to broaden product lines and streamline access to the U.S. financial system [6] - Other FinTechs, such as Revolut, are also seeking banking licenses to enhance their service offerings in the competitive retail finance market [6]

Core Viewpoint - Capital One plans to acquire Brex, an expense management platform, for $5.15 billion, aiming to enhance its technological capabilities and market position in the financial services sector [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The companies have signed a definitive agreement, with the transaction expected to close mid-year, subject to customary closing conditions [2]. - Brex's platform is AI-native, automating complex workflows for businesses, including issuing corporate cards and managing expenses [2]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - Richard D. Fairbank, CEO of Capital One, stated that the acquisition will accelerate the bank's efforts to be at the forefront of the technology revolution [2]. - Brex's platform serves tens of thousands of businesses, including one in three U.S. startups and over 300 public companies [3]. Group 3: Leadership and Future Plans - Brex Founder and CEO Pedro Franceschi will continue to lead Brex as part of Capital One post-acquisition [3]. - Franceschi emphasized that the combination of Brex's technology and Capital One's scale will significantly enhance their market and product development efforts [5]. Group 4: Financial Metrics - Capital One has $900 billion in annual card gross merchandise value, $700 billion in assets, and a market cap of $150 billion [4]. - The bank allocates $6 billion each for marketing and research and development [4]. Group 5: Recent Developments - Brex has recently partnered with Fifth Third Bank for a commercial card and announced plans to integrate stablecoin payments into its global corporate card [6]. - Capital One's acquisition of Discover Financial Services marked a new era for the bank, enhancing its size and capabilities in the banking and card sectors [7].

Core Viewpoint - Capital One plans to acquire Brex, an expense management platform, for $5.15 billion, aiming to enhance its technological capabilities and market position in the financial services sector [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The companies have signed a definitive agreement, with the transaction expected to close mid-year, subject to customary closing conditions [2]. - Brex's platform is AI-native, automating complex workflows for businesses, including issuing corporate cards and managing expenses [2]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - Richard D. Fairbank, CEO of Capital One, emphasized that the acquisition will accelerate the bank's efforts to lead in technology innovation [2]. - Brex's founder, Pedro Franceschi, will continue to lead the company post-acquisition, aiming to create a significant financial platform for U.S. businesses [3]. Group 3: Brex's Market Position - Brex serves tens of thousands of businesses, including one-third of U.S. startups and over 300 public companies [3]. - The platform integrates corporate credit cards, spend management software, and banking services [3]. Group 4: Capital One's Financial Strength - Capital One has $900 billion in annual card gross merchandise value, $700 billion in assets, and a market cap of $150 billion [4]. - The bank allocates $6 billion each for marketing and research and development [4]. Group 5: Future Growth Potential - The combination of Brex's technology and Capital One's scale is expected to significantly enhance product development and market reach [5]. - Recent collaborations by Brex, including partnerships with Fifth Third Bank and Oracle, indicate its proactive approach in the financial technology space [6]. Group 6: Recent Developments - Capital One's acquisition of Discover Financial Services marks a new era for the bank, enhancing its size and capabilities in the banking and card sectors [7].

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Usio, Inc. (Nasdaq: USIO), a leading FinTech company that operates a full stack of integrated, cloud-based electronic payment and embedded financial solutions, has published its 2025 annual shareholder letter from Chairman and CEO, Louis Hoch. The full text of the Letter is provided below. Dear Fellow Shareholder:As we close out another transformative year at Usio, Inc., I am proud to share our progress and reaffirm our confidence in the strategy that position ...

Core Insights - The future of banking is being shaped by trust and collaboration rather than technology alone, as institutions must earn and preserve trust while deploying innovations at scale [5][10][22] - The relationship between banks and FinTechs is characterized as both competitive and cooperative, with banks relying on partnerships to enhance their service offerings while competing in various financial sectors [6][12] Industry Dynamics - AI is rapidly transforming the financial landscape, with institutions struggling to adapt quickly enough to the changes it brings [2][22] - The shift towards digital banking requires banks to move beyond traditional transaction models and integrate financial services earlier in the customer journey [6][10] Trust and Competitive Advantage - Trust is identified as the core competitive advantage for both banks and FinTechs, essential for stimulating commerce and ensuring safe handling of money and data [8][10] - Institutions must rethink service delivery to maintain trust and scale, moving up the value chain rather than just automating existing processes [10][22] Digital Transformation and Branch Evolution - Despite the push for digital solutions, traditional branches are being redefined rather than eliminated, with banks integrating digital tools to enhance customer service [12][13] - The evolution of branches into multi-channel hubs reflects a focus on productivity gains rather than physical expansion [13] Collaboration and Regulation - Collaboration among banks, FinTechs, and regulators is deemed necessary to address friction in commerce and ensure growth for consumers and small businesses [14][15] - Regulators are encouraged to adapt to technological changes while maintaining stability, with central banks investing in payment infrastructure and AI governance [19][20] Technology Investment - Significant investments in technology are being made by banks, with Commerzbank spending approximately 500 million euros annually and RBC investing around $6 billion, including $2 billion on application development and modernization [17][18]