Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We close out our long on Inter downgrading it from buy to neutral; Inter was the more profitable half of our prior pairs trade with our past short on Nubank</li>
<li>This is in part a tactical downgrade, locking in gains but it also reflects that Inter is no longer a bargain neobank in terms of valuations</li>
<li>In addition, Inter’s neobank metrics continue to lag those of its core peer Nubank meaningfully, and its risk weighted asset growth is accelerating, consuming more of its modest capital cushion</li>
</ul>


We close out our long on Inter downgrading it from buy to neutral; Inter was the more profitable half of our prior pairs trade with our past short on Nubank
This is in part a tactical downgrade, locking in gains but it also reflects that Inter is no longer a bargain neobank in terms of valuations
In addition, Inter’s neobank metrics continue to lag those of its core peer Nubank meaningfully, and its risk weighted asset growth is accelerating, consuming more of its modest capital cushion


Inter (INTR US) – Closing Out Our Long Position on Inter

<ul>
<li>We close out our short on Nubank; despite the sharp share price move post 2Q25 results, our pairs trade just worked</li>
<li>We therefore upgrade Nubank to a neutral from a sell on the back of a solid set of 2Q25 results, largely due to its sound operational performance</li>
<li>We continue to recommend a long on Inter for its healthy credit quality credentials, improving operating performance and its very attractive valuations with premium earnings growth potential</li>
</ul>


We close out our short on Nubank; despite the sharp share price move post 2Q25 results, our pairs trade just worked
We therefore upgrade Nubank to a neutral from a sell on the back of a solid set of 2Q25 results, largely due to its sound operational performance
We continue to recommend a long on Inter for its healthy credit quality credentials, improving operating performance and its very attractive valuations with premium earnings growth potential


EM Neobanks – Closing Out Our Short on Nubank (NU US), Stick with the Long on Inter (INTR US)

<ul>
<li>We apply our weighted scorecard with metrics adapted for the EM neobanks; Kakaobank screens best whilst Bank Jago is the bottom marker</li>
<li>Despite this, we believe that the most compelling investment ideas are in Brazilian neobanks in the form of a pairs trade, and we add qualitative factors to the investment thesis</li>
<li>We recommend a long on Inter, the second best rated neobank on the scorecard, against a short on Nubank, the latter having the second worst rating on the scorecard</li>
</ul>


We apply our weighted scorecard with metrics adapted for the EM neobanks; Kakaobank screens best whilst Bank Jago is the bottom marker
Despite this, we believe that the most compelling investment ideas are in Brazilian neobanks in the form of a pairs trade, and we add qualitative factors to the investment thesis
We recommend a long on Inter, the second best rated neobank on the scorecard, against a short on Nubank, the latter having the second worst rating on the scorecard


EM Neobanks – Pairs Trade; Long Inter and Short Nubank

<ul>
<li>We turn positive on Banco PAN, for its consistently improving operational metrics to 3Q23, attractive valuations and sound capital adequacy</li>
<li>Nubank is operationally strong but we remain cautious on Nubank shares as we see this neobank to be challenged by capital constraints, as well as being on stretched valuations</li>
<li>Inter has been improving operationally, and is sound on capital but is in the shadow of PAN in terms of valuations; KakaoBank is sound operationally and one to watch</li>
</ul>


We turn positive on Banco PAN, for its consistently improving operational metrics to 3Q23, attractive valuations and sound capital adequacy
Nubank is operationally strong but we remain cautious on Nubank shares as we see this neobank to be challenged by capital constraints, as well as being on stretched valuations
Inter has been improving operationally, and is sound on capital but is in the shadow of PAN in terms of valuations; KakaoBank is sound operationally and one to watch


EM Neobanks – Positive on Banco PAN, Cautious on Nubank & KakaoBank Is One to Watch

<ul><li>We remain positive on Rakuten Bank, with its group ecosphere as a source of customer growth, its low cost base, and extremely low NPL ratio</li><li>Rakuten Bank trades on the lowest PE multiple of the neobank peer group , with the low ROE to PBV ratio close to the best of its neobank peers</li><li>Nubank shares have done well since we upgraded to a buy in January; we recommend investors to take profits given Nubank’s  limited potential for positive surprises and its stretched valuations</li></ul>

We remain positive on Rakuten Bank, with its group ecosphere as a source of customer growth, its low cost base, and extremely low NPL ratioRakuten Bank trades on the lowest PE multiple of the neobank peer group , with the low ROE to PBV ratio close to the best of its neobank peersNubank shares have done well since we upgraded to a buy in January; we recommend investors to take profits given Nubank’s  limited potential for positive surprises and its stretched valuations

EM & Japan Neobanks – Stick with Rakuten Bank (5838 JP), but Time to Take Profits on Nubank (NU US)

Brazil

Inter & Co is a Brazilian financial technology company that operates as a digital multi-service bank, offering a comprehensive range of banking, credit, investments, payments, and lifestyle solutions. The company provides services through a digital banking super app, which includes checking accounts, loans, insurance, and a marketplace. Founded in 1994, Inter & Co is headquartered in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

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Inter & Co (INBR32 BR)

Inter (INTR US) – Closing Out Our Long Position on Inter

We lock in gains from our Inter long position, downgrading from buy to neutral. Inter's valuation no longer makes it a bargain among EM neobanks,...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Closing Out Our Short on Nubank (NU US), Stick with the Long on Inter (INTR US)

Nubank upgraded to neutral after solid 2Q25 results, pairs trade (largely) successful; Inter stays on EM neobanks buy list for good credit...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Pairs Trade; Long Inter and Short Nubank

Brazilian neobanks present compelling opportunities, with Inter recommended as a long and Nubank as a short based on their weighted scorecard...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Positive on Banco PAN, Cautious on Nubank & KakaoBank Is One to Watch

Positive on Banco PAN for healthy metrics, attractive valuations and capital adequacy. Cautious on Nubank due to capital erosion and lofty...

Victor Galliano

EM & Japan Neobanks – Stick with Rakuten Bank (5838 JP), but Time to Take Profits on Nubank (NU US)

In listed neobanks, we stay positive on Rakuten bank for its growth potential and attractive valuation, but it is time to take profits on Nubank.

Victor Galliano

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Inter (INTR US) – Closing Out Our Long Position on Inter

​We lock in gains from our Inter long position, downgrading from buy to neutral. Inter's valuation no longer makes it a bargain among EM neobanks,...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Closing Out Our Short on Nubank (NU US), Stick with the Long on Inter (INTR US)

​Nubank upgraded to neutral after solid 2Q25 results, pairs trade (largely) successful; Inter stays on EM neobanks buy list for good credit...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Pairs Trade; Long Inter and Short Nubank

Brazilian neobanks present compelling opportunities, with Inter recommended as a long and Nubank as a short based on their weighted scorecard...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Positive on Banco PAN, Cautious on Nubank & KakaoBank Is One to Watch

​Positive on Banco PAN for healthy metrics, attractive valuations and capital adequacy. Cautious on Nubank due to capital erosion and lofty...

Victor Galliano

EM & Japan Neobanks – Stick with Rakuten Bank (5838 JP), but Time to Take Profits on Nubank (NU US)

In listed neobanks, we stay positive on Rakuten bank for its growth potential and attractive valuation, but it is time to take profits on Nubank.

Victor Galliano

We lock in gains from our Inter long position, downgrading from buy to neutral. Inter's valuation no longer makes it a bargain among EM neobanks,...

Nubank upgraded to neutral after solid 2Q25 results, pairs trade (largely) successful; Inter stays on EM neobanks buy list for good credit...

Positive on Banco PAN for healthy metrics, attractive valuations and capital adequacy. Cautious on Nubank due to capital erosion and lofty...