Brazil banks on digital consolidation

It took all of six days of the new year before the tone was set: XP Inc’s announcement of its acquisition of Banco Modal. The deal will need regulatory approval, but is being warmly endorsed by the target’s management and its minority shareholder, Credit Suisse.

Brazil’s digital banking industry is now into full-blown consolidation mode.

Make no mistake about the driver of this deal: it brings zero new functionality to XP and breaks no new ground in terms of products or services. It brings no innovative technology – the platforms will be run largely independently for the foreseeable future – or much-needed management or workforce expertise.

XP points to Modal’s leadership in mini-futures as added capability, but – even generously assuming this is true – such additionally would take a couple of weeks of organic development.

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