(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Inter&Co, the U.S.-listed parent of Banco Inter, just delivered the kind of quarter that signals a business moving from promise to habit.

Net income rose 39% year on year to R$336 million ($62 million) in the third quarter, return on equity reached 14.2%, and a record 1.2 million people became active customers-bringing the total to nearly 24 million.

The loan book expanded 30%, led by payroll-deducted credit, a product repaid straight from salaries that helps keep defaults in check.

The simple story is scale. Inter&Co is building a one-stop app for everyday money: accounts, cards, investments, payments.

As more users do more inside the same ecosystem, each customer becomes cheaper to serve and more valuable over time. That flywheel-lower costs, higher engagement-shows up in solid profit growth without flashy gimmicks.


Inter&Co's disciplined growth turns digital banking profitable
The story behind the story is discipline. Instead of chasing every new lending niche, Inter&Co leaned into products with predictable repayment and tightened operating costs as it grew.

In a country where interest rates can swing and household budgets are often tight, this conservative tilt matters. It means growth driven by unit economics, not subsidies or political wind.

Why this matters to readers abroad: Brazil is one of the world's most competitive banking markets, with heavyweight incumbents and aggressive fintechs.

When a digital bank scales profitably, it nudges the whole market toward sharper pricing, faster service, and broader access to credit-useful if you live in Brazil, invest there, or sell into it.

It also suggests that market-driven models can widen inclusion without relying on state programs. There are risks worth watching. Rapid expansion can hide weak pockets of credit if underwriting slips, and funding costs can rise if rates turn.

But choosing payroll-linked lending and keeping costs under control shows an awareness of those trade-offs. The takeaway is straightforward: Inter&Co is turning growth into durable profitability.

For customers, that should mean more choice at better prices. For investors, it's a sign that Brazilian digital banking is maturing-less hype, more cash flow, and a business model built to hold up when conditions get tougher.

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