Inter wins Fed approval to operate as a foreign bank in the US

By Brazil Stock Guide – Inter (NASDAQ: INTR) has received authorization from the Federal Reserve and Florida’s financial regulator to operate as a foreign bank in the United States, clearing the way for the establishment of an international branch in Miami and allowing the group to serve international clients from within the US financial system. The approval places Inter among a select group of foreign banks with a regulated onshore presence in the country and marks a structural step forward in its international expansion.

The decision enables the formal launch of the Miami branch, where Inter has maintained its global headquarters since 2021, and authorizes the provision of a full suite of banking services to individuals and companies outside Brazil. Under the new license, the bank will be able to offer checking and savings accounts in dollars, issue debit and credit cards, extend credit and financing, and raise dollar deposits from foreign clients under US supervision.

“This step reinforces our ambition to operate as a global financial platform,” said João Vitor Menin, Inter’s global chief executive. According to him, the US-based operation will allow the bank to scale its product offering, increase convenience for international clients and deepen its integration into the global financial system.

In practice, the new unit will function as a digital-first banking hub, combining local regulatory presence with technology developed in Brazil. Strategically, the move expands Inter’s access to hard-currency funding, supports a more efficient capital structure, reduces operating costs and improves agility in launching new products across markets.

From a competitive standpoint, the license strengthens Inter’s ability to serve international companies with operations in the United States and fast-growing multicultural communities, particularly in Florida. For the bank, a regulated US footprint adds institutional credibility, enhances funding flexibility and provides greater resilience at a time of tighter global capital conditions.

Founded as Brazil’s first digital bank, Inter now serves more than 41 million clients and is a relevant player in cross-border payments. The institution accounts for roughly 10% of person-to-person payments in Brazil through the PIX system. With the Federal Reserve’s approval, Inter takes a decisive step toward building a truly transnational banking platform.