Inter Gains Federal Reserve Approval to Establish U.S. Banking Branch

Rhea-AI Summary

Inter (NASDAQ: INTR) received regulatory approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and the Federal Reserve on January 16, 2026 to open a state‑licensed international banking branch in Miami.

The U.S. branch will operate as a digital‑first banking hub to expand cross‑border services, offer regulated credit and banking products to U.S. and non‑U.S. residents, support international businesses in the U.S., and pursue a more efficient funding mix and faster time to market for new products. Inter serves more than 41 million customers and handles nearly 10% of PIX P2P payments in Brazil.

Positive

• Regulatory approval from Florida OFR and the Federal Reserve to open a U.S. branch
• 41 million customers provide a large existing customer base for U.S. expansion
• Authorized to offer regulated credit and banking products to U.S. and non‑U.S. residents
• New Miami branch targets a more efficient funding mix and faster product time to market
• Handles nearly 10% of PIX P2P payments in Brazil, indicating strong payments capability

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+0.25%

1 alert

+0.25% News Effect

On the day this news was published, INTR gained 0.25%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Customer base: more than 41 million customers PIX P2P share: nearly 10% of all P2P payments (PIX)

2 metrics

Customer base more than 41 million customers Inter global client footprint mentioned in branch approval release

PIX P2P share nearly 10% of all P2P payments (PIX) Share of Brazilian PIX peer-to-peer payments nationwide

Market Reality Check

Price: $8.87 Vol: Volume 7,686,480 is 3.38x...

high vol

$8.87 Last Close

Volume Volume 7,686,480 is 3.38x the 20-day average of 2,272,711, indicating elevated pre-news activity. high

Technical Trading at $8.15, modestly above the 200-day MA of $7.84, despite the -2.51% move.

Peers on Argus

INTR traded down 2.51% while key regional bank peers like TFSL, FIBK, IBOC, and ...

INTR traded down 2.51% while key regional bank peers like TFSL, FIBK, IBOC, and UCB rose between 1.44% and 1.83%, and AVAL was flat, pointing to a stock-specific move rather than a sector-wide shift.

Historical Context

4 past events · Latest: Dec 10 (Positive)

Pattern 4 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 10	Leadership transition	Positive	+0.4%	Co-founder appointed CEO to drive global expansion in cross-border payments.
Nov 13	Earnings results	Positive	-6.9%	Record 3Q25 with strong net income and 30% credit portfolio expansion.
Aug 26	Awards & recognition	Positive	-0.6%	Named “Most Honored Company” with top rankings in IR-related categories.
Aug 06	Earnings results	Positive	+14.2%	2Q25 showed 53% net income growth and robust client and loan expansion.

Pattern Detected

Recent fundamentally positive updates (earnings growth, client milestones, recognition) have sometimes seen mixed or even negative next-day price reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the last few quarters, Inter has reported strong operating momentum, including record 3Q25 results with significant net income and credit portfolio growth and robust 2Q25 performance with rising profitability and loan expansion. The company also reached major client milestones and received external recognition as a “Most Honored Company.” Against this backdrop, today’s approval for a U.S. banking branch fits an ongoing international expansion and scaling narrative, extending earlier growth and recognition themes into regulated U.S. market access.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details Inter’s approval to establish a state‑licensed international banking branc...

Analysis

This announcement details Inter’s approval to establish a state‑licensed international banking branch in Florida, expanding its U.S. and cross-border capabilities. In context of prior growth in clients and profitability, the move extends its internationalization strategy. Investors may track how quickly the Miami-based, digital-first hub scales products for U.S. and non-U.S. clients, as well as how it affects funding mix, servicing costs, and overall franchise efficiency over time.

Key Terms

Federal Reserve, Florida Office of Financial Regulation, state‑licensed international banking branch, P2P payments

4 terms

Federal Reserve regulatory

"received regulatory approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) and the Federal Reserve (FED)"

The federal reserve is the United States’ central bank system that sets short-term interest rates, controls the supply of money, and acts as a lender of last resort to banks. Think of it like a thermostat for the economy: by raising or lowering rates and adjusting money flow it helps cool inflation or stimulate growth, which directly affects borrowing costs, corporate profits and stock valuations—key concerns for investors.

Florida Office of Financial Regulation regulatory

"received regulatory approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) and the Federal Reserve (FED)"

A state government agency that oversees banks, credit unions, insurance, securities dealers and other financial services operating in Florida; it enforces licensing, consumer protection rules and safety standards to reduce fraud and financial instability. For investors, its actions—such as licensing decisions, enforcement actions or rule changes—affect which firms can operate, the safety of customer funds and the regulatory risk that can influence company valuations, similar to a referee keeping a game fair and orderly.

state‑licensed international banking branch regulatory

"to establish a state‑licensed international banking branch in Florida"

A state-licensed international banking branch is a local office of a foreign bank that has official permission from the host country to carry out banking services there. Think of it as a storefront of a distant bank that must follow both its home bank’s rules and the host country’s regulations; for investors this matters because the branch’s earnings, legal protections, and risk profile depend on licensing, oversight, and how well it meets local capital and compliance requirements.

P2P payments financial

"It also accounts for nearly 10% of all P2P payments (PIX) nationwide."

Peer-to-peer (p2p) payments are digital transfers of money directly between two people using a mobile app or online service, like sending cash to a friend with a tap instead of handing over bills. Investors watch p2p activity because it shows how many people use a platform, how often they transact, and whether low-cost, convenient payments can drive revenue, user growth and competitive advantage — much like foot traffic matters to a retail store.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

MIAMI, Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inter (NASDAQ: INTR), the financial institution serving more than 41 million customers, has received regulatory approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) and the Federal Reserve (FED) to establish a state‑licensed international banking branch in Florida, marking a significant milestone in its international expansion.

The approval authorizes Inter to establish a Florida branch based in Miami, expanding the company's cross-border capabilities and broadening its range of financial services for individuals and businesses. "This milestone strengthens our position as a global platform and enables us to deliver even more value to our clients across borders,” said João Vitor Menin, Global CEO of Inter. "The U.S. branch allows us to scale our offering, deliver greater value to our clients, and strengthen Inter's position in the international financial system."

With this authorization, Banco Inter joins a select group of international institutions permitted to operate a U.S. banking branch. The new operation will serve as a digital-first banking hub, connecting clients across borders with enhanced speed, security, and transparency. The U.S. branch will enable Inter to:

• Optimize its global franchise through a more efficient funding mix, lower servicing costs, improved user experience, and faster time to market for new products.
• Offer regulated credit and banking products tailored to both U.S. and non-U.S. residents.
• Support international businesses operating in the U.S. with compliant, technology-driven financial services.
• Strengthen its U.S. presence to better serve the region's growing international and multicultural communities.

Banco Inter was Brazil's first digital bank and is now one of the country's top-ranked institutions in outbound remittances, according to the Central Bank of Brazil. It also accounts for nearly 10% of all P2P payments (PIX) nationwide. As Inter expands its presence in the United States, the company continues advancing its mission to create a world where interactions between people generate more value.

About Inter

Inter (Inter&Co Inc./NASDAQ: INTR) is a financial technology company providing financial and lifestyle solutions to 41 million consumers. It leverages technology to unlock simplicity, offering mortgages, credit, gift cards, investments and international payments through a broad network of companies in multiple countries, including Banco Inter S.A., Brazil’s first digital bank. Inter customers also enjoy access to a dynamic marketplace of shopping discounts, cashback rewards, and exclusive access to marquee events. Recognized as one of the world’s leading FinTechs and digital banks by Forbes, CNBC and others, Inter leads with human innovation to empower the new economy. For more information, visit: https://inter.co

Investor Relations:
Rafaela de Oliveira Vitória
ir@inter.co

Media Relations:
Kaio Philipe
kaio.philipe@inter.co
interco@chemistryagency.com

FAQ

What did Inter (INTR) announce on January 16, 2026 about a U.S. branch?

Inter announced it received Florida OFR and Federal Reserve approval to open a state‑licensed international banking branch in Miami.

How will the new Inter (INTR) U.S. branch affect its product offering?

The branch enables Inter to offer regulated credit and banking products to U.S. and non‑U.S. residents and accelerate new product launches.

When and where will Inter (INTR) base its U.S. banking operations?

Inter will base its U.S. international banking branch in Miami, effective following the January 16, 2026 approvals.

What customer scale does Inter (INTR) bring to its U.S. expansion?

Inter serves more than 41 million customers and accounts for nearly 10% of PIX P2P payments in Brazil.

Will Inter (INTR) support international businesses operating in the U.S.?

Yes. The U.S. branch is intended to support international businesses with compliant, technology‑driven financial services.