Retail banking has never been faster. A customer can transfer money in seconds, open an account on their phone, and get real-time fraud alerts within moments. Branch queues have been replaced by mobile apps, and even credit decisions that once took weeks are now measured in minutes. Yet, for all this progress, trust remains fragile. The paradox of digital banking is simple but powerful: the faster banks move, the more customers notice when something feels cold or careless. Technology may reduce friction ...

Core Perspective - Nubank has applied for a U.S. national bank charter to expand its digital banking platform beyond Latin America, aiming to better serve existing customers in the U.S. and connect with new ones [1][3][4] Group 1: Company Strategy and Expansion - The company continues to focus on growth in existing markets, with nearly 123 million customers in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia [4] - Nubank's strategy includes building a significant retail banking franchise in Latin America, expanding beyond financial services, and developing a global AI-driven digital banking model [6] - The subsidiary Nu Mexico has received authorization to become a bank and is awaiting final operational approval [5] Group 2: Leadership and Management - Cristina Junqueira, co-founder and chief growth officer, has relocated to the U.S. to lead the emerging business [3] - The appointment of FinTech veteran Armando Herrera as CEO of Nu Mexico is seen as a significant asset for the company's current phase [6]

Group 1 - Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) is recognized as one of the best-performing financial stocks in 2025, with a Buy rating and a price target of $18 from Citi analyst Gustavo Schroden [1] - The company has demonstrated strong growth prospects in Mexico since launching operations in Q4 2022, with significant increases in deposits and credits [1][2] - The Mexican consumer market is large and presents an attractive opportunity for Nu Holdings, with an expansion strategy similar to its successful approach in Brazil [2] Group 2 - Nu Holdings Ltd. is a Brazil-based digital banking service provider, offering a range of financial products including spending, saving, investing, borrowing, and financial protection [2]

This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief:  Outdated technology is causing banks to lose customers, according to a survey from consulting firm Baringa published Monday. The company surveyed 4,000 U.S. and U.K. residents with bank accounts and 400 U.S. and U.K. bank leaders about the digital customer experience. Legacy technology architecture slowed modernization and hurt customers’ digital experiences, ...

Core Viewpoint - Alkami Technology (ALKT) shows a significantly improving earnings outlook, making it a strong investment choice as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][3]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - The trend in estimate revisions reflects growing analyst optimism regarding Alkami's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [2]. - The current-quarter earnings estimate of $0.14 per share indicates a +55.6% change from the previous year, with a 38.89% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the last 30 days [5]. - For the full year, the earnings estimate is projected at $0.58 per share, representing a +100.0% change from the prior year, with a 52.63% increase in the consensus estimate over the same timeframe [6][7]. Zacks Rank and Performance - Alkami has achieved a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to favorable estimate revisions, which historically correlate with strong stock performance [8]. - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) have shown significant outperformance compared to the S&P 500 [8]. Stock Performance - The stock has gained 15.3% over the past four weeks, driven by solid estimate revisions and positive earnings growth prospects [9].

Core Insights - SoFi Technologies' stock increased by 6.6% to close at $22.40 following a strong Q2 earnings report that surpassed Wall Street expectations [2] - The company reported Q2 revenue of $858 million, marking a 44% year-over-year growth, and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.08, exceeding consensus estimates [2] - Net income rose to $97 million, and management raised the full-year revenue guidance to $3.375 billion with an EPS target of $0.31, indicating a positive profitability trend [2] Market Performance - SoFi's stock performance outpaced broader market trends, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declining by 0.3% and 0.38% respectively [3] - Compared to fintech peers, SoFi's performance was notably strong, as Affirm Holdings saw a modest gain of 0.67%, while Robinhood Markets declined by 3.23% [3] Trading Activity - The stock experienced exceptional trading volume of approximately 222 million shares, about 3.5 times its 200-day average, reflecting strong investor interest [4] - This heightened trading activity and technical breakout near new highs highlighted investor confidence following SoFi's earnings beat and raised guidance [4]

Core Viewpoint - Lesaka Technologies, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Bank Zero Mutual Bank, aiming to enhance its fintech platform and banking capabilities, with a transaction value of up to ZAR 1,091 million ($61.4 million) [1][5][6] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Lesaka will acquire 100% of Bank Zero's issued ordinary shares, with Bank Zero shareholders expected to own approximately 12% of Lesaka's fully diluted shares post-transaction [1][5] - The acquisition consideration includes newly issued shares and up to ZAR 91 million ($5.1 million) in cash, based on an assumed share price of ZAR 88.26 ($4.97) [1][5] - The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including those from the South African Reserve Bank and Competition Commission [2] Group 2: Bank Zero Overview - Bank Zero is a South African digital bank founded in 2018, offering a zero-fee banking model and a secure app-driven platform [3][16] - As of April 2025, Bank Zero had a deposit base exceeding ZAR 400 million and over 40,000 funded accounts [3] Group 3: Strategic Rationale - The acquisition is a strategic move for Lesaka to build a vertically integrated fintech platform, combining Bank Zero's digital banking infrastructure with Lesaka's fintech capabilities [4][8] - Expected benefits include optimized balance sheets, reduced reliance on bank debt, and potential gross debt reduction of over ZAR 1.0 billion post-completion [4][6] Group 4: Leadership and Governance - Following the acquisition, key Bank Zero leaders, including Michael Jordaan and Yatin Narsai, will join Lesaka's board and continue in their current roles [9][10] - The transaction reflects a long-term strategic partnership aimed at enhancing customer service and operational efficiency [13]

Core Insights - Fulton Bank emphasizes its commitment to translating values into tangible benefits for stakeholders, including customers, employees, communities, and shareholders [2][5] Community Engagement - In 2024, Fulton Bank received an "Outstanding" rating in its Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluation, reflecting its efforts to meet the credit needs of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods [3] - The bank made $303 million in community development investments in 2024 [5] - Fulton Bank provided $220 million in mortgage loans to low- to moderate-income buyers from 2023 to 2024 [5] - The bank originated $135 million in Small Business Administration loans from 2023 to 2024 [5] - Fulton Bank contributed $11.7 million in charitable donations during 2023-2024, including $6.5 million to the Fulton Forward Foundation [5] - Employees volunteered over 11,000 hours in 2024 [5] Corporate Responsibility - Fulton Bank focuses on expanding digital capabilities while maintaining personalized service [5] - The bank engages in community volunteering to promote financial literacy and job skills [5] - Fulton Bank is committed to environmental sustainability by minimizing resource consumption and supporting customers' sustainability efforts [5] - The bank fosters a strong corporate culture with professional development opportunities and an inclusive workplace [5] - Responsible governance is a priority, with a focus on risk management, ethical conduct, and fair banking practices [5] Company Overview - Fulton Bank is a premier community bank in the Mid-Atlantic region, part of Fulton Financial Corporation, which has over $30 billion in assets [4] - The bank operates more than 200 financial centers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia [4] - Fulton Bank aims to change lives for the better by building strong customer relationships and providing significant community support [4]

Core Insights - Nubank, headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, is the largest fintech bank in Latin America with approximately 118.6 million customers, primarily in Brazil [1] Company Overview - Nubank is best known for its digital banking services, which have contributed to its significant customer base in the region [1] Market Position - The company has established itself as a leading player in the fintech sector within Latin America, indicating strong growth potential in the digital banking space [1]

Group 1 - Nu Holdings is a Brazilian digital bank operating in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, serving over 114 million customers [1] - On April 24, the company announced to investors that it had obtained regulatory approval [1]