SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) is quickly making a name for itself in the competitive financial services industry. Its growth has been eye-opening, and management continues to innovate in an effort to better serve customers. Should you buy this fintech stock, which is down 34% from its peak (as of Feb. 10), with $1,000 right now? Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Image ...

If a fraud system blocks me, does the bank understand context?If my money is delayed, who will take ownership?If I am flagged, who can reverse the flag?If I am declined, is anyone able to explain why?Who is accountable if I am locked out?That is when the customer asks silent questions:Many digital banks understandably emphasise app quality and service speed as trust signals. It helps, but it is not sufficient. A customer’s trust is not primarily formed on a day when everything works. It is formed on the day ...

Core Insights - Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) is recognized as one of the top digital currency and payments stocks to invest in currently [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Nu Holdings Ltd. operates as a holding company providing a range of digital banking services, including business accounts, rewards, investments, personal loans, credit cards, insurance, and mobile payments [4] Group 2: Expansion Plans - CEO David Velez is focused on expanding Nubank, a leading financial firm in Latin America, to a global clientele exceeding 127 million, which includes nearly 60% of Brazil's adult population [2] - The company is pursuing a US expansion strategy, referred to as "Act Three," aiming to secure a complete banking license before broadening its service offerings [3] - In 2024, Nubank invested $250 million in Tyme Group to explore growth opportunities in Asia and Africa, in addition to the US market [3] Group 3: Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Nu Holdings reported a return on equity of 31%, outperforming Itau Unibanco's 23.3% [2] - The company's shares are currently valued higher than those of traditional banks, indicating strong market confidence [2] Group 4: Control and Governance - David Velez holds super-voting shares that provide him with control over approximately 75% of the voting power within the company [2]

Core Insights - First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. reported significant financial improvements for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2025, with a 39% increase in operating earnings per share to $1.14 compared to $0.82 in 2024 [3][5][9]. Financial Performance - Net income for Q4 2025 was $2.9 million, a 218.6% increase from $0.9 million in Q4 2024, translating to $0.36 per diluted share compared to $0.11 [5][9]. - For the full year 2025, net income reached $10.9 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, up from $5.9 million, or $0.71 per diluted share in 2024 [5][9]. - Operating earnings (Non-GAAP) for Q4 2025 were $2.9 million, a 68% increase from $1.7 million in Q4 2024, resulting in $0.35 per diluted share compared to $0.21 [5][9]. - Total revenue for the year was $49.7 million, up from $39.6 million in 2024 [6]. Efficiency and Margins - The net interest margin improved to 3.71% in Q4 2025, up from 3.66% in Q3 2025 and 3.38% in Q4 2024 [5][9]. - The adjusted efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP) improved to 71.59% in Q4 2025 from 78.29% in Q4 2024 [5][9]. Loan and Deposit Trends - Total loans held for investment slightly decreased by $62 thousand to $779.9 million at the end of Q4 2025, but year-to-date loan growth was $26.2 million, or 3.5% [5][9]. - Total deposits decreased by $11.2 million to $948.1 million at the end of Q4 2025, a 4.6% annualized decline [5][9]. Asset Quality - Nonperforming assets increased to $2.5 million, or 0.23% of total assets, compared to $369 thousand, or 0.03% of total assets in Q3 2025, attributed to specific loans that are fully collateralized [5][9]. Noninterest Income and Expenses - Noninterest income for Q4 2025 was $2.7 million, an increase of $1.3 million from $1.4 million in Q4 2024, driven by mortgage banking income and gains on asset sales [10][11]. - Noninterest expense for Q4 2025 was $8.8 million, an increase of $303 thousand from $8.5 million in Q4 2024, primarily due to higher compensation and benefits [12][13].

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2026. Registration No. 333-292217 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Proem Acquisition Corp I (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– | Cayman Islands | 6770 | N/A | | --- | --- | --- | | ...

Core Insights - Revolut has officially launched full banking operations in Mexico, marking its first bank established outside of Europe as part of its expansion into high-growth markets [1] - The company has secured a Mexican banking license through a direct application, becoming the first independent digital bank to do so, and has capitalized its operations with over $100 million, which is more than double the regulatory minimum [1] - The expansion into Mexico targets the underbanked population in a region with relatively low traditional competition, aligning with global fintech trends [2] - Revolut is pursuing a full banking license in Peru and plans to roll out a payments platform in India, indicating a broader strategy for regional growth [2] - The Mexican banking license allows Revolut to offer a suite of digital banking services, including high-yield savings accounts, the ability to hold and exchange over 30 currencies, and international money transfers [3] - With over 70 million customers globally, the launch in Mexico serves as a blueprint for future expansion, with a goal to reach over 100 million daily active customers in 100 countries [3]

Company Overview - Nu Holdings (NYSE:NU) is a digital banking services provider in Latin America, closing at $16.97, up 2.23% on a day marked by optimism about its growth prospects and expansion plans [1] - The company has experienced a growth of 50.84% since its IPO in 2021 [1] Market Performance - Trading volume for Nu Holdings reached 74.1 million shares, which is approximately 102% above its three-month average of 36.6 million shares [1] - The S&P 500 fell 2.06% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 2.39%, indicating a broader market downturn, while Nu Holdings showed a slight recovery [2][3] Institutional Interest - Triasima Portfolio Management reduced its stake in Nu Holdings by almost 40% during Q3, indicating a shift in institutional interest [3] - Conversely, firms like Dynasty Wealth Management and Americana Partners have recently increased their positions in Nu Holdings [3] Sector Developments - There were no major drivers behind the gains for Nu Holdings, but the planned IPO of PicPay, another Brazilian digital bank, may have increased interest in the digital banking sector [4] - Nu Holdings is rapidly expanding its digital banking services across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the Cayman Islands, and has applied for a U.S. national bank charter [4] - The company's Q4 earnings report is scheduled for February 25 [4]

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2026. Registration No. 333-292217 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Proem Acquisition Corp I (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– | Cayman Islan ...

Core Insights - Investing in the intersection of financial services and technology offers significant opportunities, with one fintech stock, Nu Holdings, experiencing a 62% increase in 2025 and a 364% rise over the past three years as of January 12 [1] Company Performance - Nu Holdings has shown remarkable financial performance, with a 42% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3 2025, and analysts project a 31% revenue growth for 2026, indicating a strong growth trajectory [3][4] - The company has expanded its customer base significantly, reaching 127 million customers by the end of Q3 2025, up from 70 million three years prior, with a strong presence in Brazil where 60% of the adult population are customers [4] Market Potential - Latin America presents long-term growth potential due to a high number of unbanked and underbanked individuals, coupled with increasing smartphone and internet penetration, which positions Nu for continued success [5] Valuation and Investment Opportunity - Nu Holdings is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.8, which is attractive compared to the S&P 500's 22.4 multiple, suggesting that investors are not overpaying for the stock [6] - The company's scalable digital banking model, which avoids significant operating costs associated with physical branches, has led to substantial growth in both revenue and customer numbers, making it an appealing investment opportunity [7]

Core Viewpoint - Iute Group, a digital-first banking group based in Estonia, plans to acquire a banking license from a bridge bank in Ukraine, along with a selective transfer of low-risk assets and retail deposit liabilities totaling approximately €4 million ($4.6 million) from RWS Bank [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The transaction is part of an agreement with Ukraine's state-owned Deposit Guarantee Fund, facilitating Iute Group's entry into the Ukrainian market [2]. - The acquisition will be funded using existing liquidity within Iute Group [2]. - The assets being transferred primarily consist of government bonds and cash, with no loan portfolio or related credit risk included in the transaction [2]. Group 2: Customer and Operational Impact - Approximately 13,000 retail customers, along with their accounts and deposits, are expected to transfer as part of the deal [3]. - No branch network is included in the takeover, and the new Ukrainian banking entity will become the legal successor to selected assets and deposit liabilities transferred from RWS Bank [3]. Group 3: Management and Strategic Goals - Arthur Muravitsky has been appointed to lead the new operation, bringing over 22 years of experience in Ukraine's financial sector [4]. - Initial priorities for the Ukrainian entity include securing adequate capital, assembling a management team, and preparing for the launch of digital services under the IuteBank brand [4]. - The CEO of Iute Group emphasized that this step supports the long-term objective of expanding digital banking services in a disciplined and responsible manner [5].