1. Business, MEI, and Global Accounts: Who Offers What?

• Itaú provides business accounts tailored for SMEs and large corporations but lacks dedicated MEI or global account offerings. Its corporate accounts start at R$35 per month, including bulk payroll processing, credit lines, and international banking services. While Itaú enables cross-border transactions, it does not offer a multi-currency business account, meaning businesses must rely on Itaú’s exchange rates and fees for international transactions. Given its legacy infrastructure and extensive corporate banking network, Itaú remains a preferred choice for larger enterprises that require advanced financial services.
• Nubank takes a low-cost, digital-first approach, offering a single, free business account that caters to SMEs and MEIs alike (in 2023, of its 3 million PJ users, 76% were MEI, and the rest comprised micro and small enterprises). The account has unlimited Pix transfers, no maintenance fees, and an intuitive mobile interface. However, it lacks corporate debit cards and global banking options, making it less suitable for scaling businesses or international transactions. 
• Banco Inter provides the most extensive suite of business banking options, covering MEI, SME, and global accounts. It provides a dedicated MEI account which is free, includes Pix and Transferência Eletrônica Disponível (TED) transfers, and provides credit lines up to R$30,000. The corporate account is also fee-free, with added perks such as cashback on payments, payroll processing, and corporate debit cards. Inter also offers multi-user access, making it more functional for SMEs. Banco Inter’s Global Account allows businesses to transact in USD, with lower conversion fees than traditional banks, positioning it as an attractive choice for export-oriented businesses.
• C6 Bank similarly offers business, global, and dedicated MEI accounts, but with slightly different benefits. Its MEI account requires a minimum balance of R$100 for activation and integrates seamlessly with C6 Pay (its in-house POS solution). The corporate account includes a free business debit card, customizable benefits, and payroll processing. However, its standout feature is its Global Account, which supports transactions in both USD and EUR, providing businesses with flexibility in international payments. C6 Bank’s strong integration of acquiring solutions makes it an attractive option for businesses focused on both domestic and cross-border commerce.

The incumbent model is still centered around larger businesses, while digital banks are targeting SMEs, freelancers, and international businesses with leaner, more flexible solutions. Banco Inter and C6 Bank emerge as the most comprehensive players, covering all three business banking categories. Nubank falls short due to its lack of global account offerings, while Itaú retains dominance in large-enterprise banking but struggles with accessibility for smaller businesses.

2. Payment Solutions for Businesses 

• Itaú, as an incumbent, provides a full-fledged acquiring solution, including POS machines and online payment options via Rede, its proprietary acquiring brand. It charges transaction fees based on account tiers, with higher-end business accounts receiving lower transaction fees. Itaú’s POS machines (Itaú Maquininha) cater to both SMEs and large enterprises, with fees starting at 1.99% per transaction for debit cards and 3.49% for credit transactions. The bank also offers cross-border payment solutions through its international banking services, allowing direct SWIFT transfers and pre-negotiated FX rates. Acquiring solutions, like SISPAG, provide bulk payment processing and reconciliation tools, making it a strong choice for corporates handling large-scale transactions.
• Nubank has minimal offerings in payment solutions, with its primary focus on its NuTap solution, a softPOS feature that allows smartphones to function as payment terminals. Nubank does not currently offer cross-border payments. NuTap is targeted at small businesses, offering a 0% fee for the first three months, then charging 1.49% for debit transactions and 3.19% for credit transactions. This makes it a low-cost alternative for micro-businesses and self-employed professionals who do not want to invest in traditional POS machines. 
• Banco Inter provides a comprehensive payment ecosystem, particularly excelling in POS machines and acquiring solutions. The bank offers a business debit card, integrated with its corporate credit solutions, allowing businesses to link expenses directly to a credit line. For cross-border payments, Banco Inter leverages Inter Global Account, which facilitates low-fee international transactions, targeting Brazilian expats and businesses with foreign operations. Its POS machine, Inter Pag, is a result of its acquisition of Granito, giving it a merchant acquiring edge with competitive rates (debit: 1.35%, credit: 3.10%, and installments: starting at 4.99%). Additionally, its acquiring solution includes automated reconciliation and invoice management, making it a strong competitor against Itaú for business transactions.
• C6 Bank offers its C6 Pay product, a full-service acquiring solution. C6 Pay POS machines come with no rental fees for businesses processing over R$5,000 per month, and its rates are competitive (1.89% for debit and 3.29% for credit transactions). C6 also provides a business debit card linked to its C6 Global Account, which supports multi-currency transactions, making it particularly attractive for businesses with cross-border needs. Additionally, C6’s Dynamic Debt Authorization (DDA) feature automates invoice tracking, making it an innovative acquiring solution compared to competitors.

Digital banks are lowering the barriers for small businesses by eliminating costly hardware requirements and making Pix a core part of their payments strategy. Nubank leads in mobile-based payments with NuTap, while Inter and C6 offer a wider range of acquiring solutions, positioning themselves as the best choices for businesses needing POS machines. Itaú remains geared towards large enterprises with tailored solutions, but these often come with legacy fees.