

Nubank vs ING
Digital bank leader serving Latin America vs Large Dutch bank serving consumers and businesses across Europe. Which is the better buy for your portfolio in August 2026? Plain-English answer below.
Nubank disrupted Latin American banking by building a digital-first platform that acquired tens of millions of customers with minimal branch infrastructure, while ING operates a diversified European bank with centuries of institutional history and a mix of retail, wholesale, and investment banking. Both institutions are betting on digital transformation as the key to future growth and efficiency. The Nubank vs ING comparison reveals how a fintech disruptor and an incumbent giant differ in customer acquisition costs, return on equity, and long-term profitability potential.
Nubank disrupted Latin American banking by building a digital-first platform that acquired tens of millions of customers with minimal branch infrastructure, while ING operates a diversified European b...
Why It’s Moving

Nu Holdings surges on a record profit milestone that underscores faster-then-expected earnings power
- Nu Holdings jumped after reporting its first-ever quarterly net income above $1 billion, a milestone that signals the bank is scaling profitably rather than just growing users.
- The company also topped earnings and revenue expectations, reinforcing confidence that Nubank’s expansion across Brazil, Mexico and Colombia is still translating into stronger monetization.
- Investors are reacting to the combination of record profitability, solid customer growth and improving returns, which strengthens the case that the business is entering a more mature earnings phase.

ING’s buyback and strong results are helping, but valuation worries are keeping downside risk in focus.
- ING has continued its €1.0 billion share buyback, with 975,000 shares repurchased in the week of August 10–14, signaling ongoing capital return but not enough to fully offset analyst caution.
- The bank’s Q2 2026 strength is still supporting the stock, but recent trading around the mid-30s suggests investors are weighing solid operating performance against a rich valuation.
- Brokerage sentiment remains mixed-to-positive, yet the warning about downside reflects a market that may be expecting the recent rally and capital-return story to slow from here.

Nu Holdings surges on a record profit milestone that underscores faster-then-expected earnings power
- Nu Holdings jumped after reporting its first-ever quarterly net income above $1 billion, a milestone that signals the bank is scaling profitably rather than just growing users.
- The company also topped earnings and revenue expectations, reinforcing confidence that Nubank’s expansion across Brazil, Mexico and Colombia is still translating into stronger monetization.
- Investors are reacting to the combination of record profitability, solid customer growth and improving returns, which strengthens the case that the business is entering a more mature earnings phase.

ING’s buyback and strong results are helping, but valuation worries are keeping downside risk in focus.
- ING has continued its €1.0 billion share buyback, with 975,000 shares repurchased in the week of August 10–14, signaling ongoing capital return but not enough to fully offset analyst caution.
- The bank’s Q2 2026 strength is still supporting the stock, but recent trading around the mid-30s suggests investors are weighing solid operating performance against a rich valuation.
- Brokerage sentiment remains mixed-to-positive, yet the warning about downside reflects a market that may be expecting the recent rally and capital-return story to slow from here.
Investment Analysis

Nubank
NU
Pros
- Nu Holdings has strong revenue growth, with a 48.73% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching $5.51 billion.
- The company has a high earnings growth rate, with a 91.37% increase in net income in 2024 to $1.97 billion.
- Nu Holdings is expanding its digital banking platform across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, the Cayman Islands, and the U.S., diversifying its geographic presence.
Considerations
- Nu Holdings operates with a high price-to-earnings ratio around 34, indicating it may be overvalued compared to some peers.
- The company faces regulatory and stability risks due to rising financial regulations in Latin America, where a large part of its operations are based.
- Despite positive growth, the business has no dividend payout, which may deter income-focused investors.

ING
ING
Pros
- ING Groep N.V. benefits from a strong European market presence, with diversified retail and wholesale banking operations.
- The company has shown resilience through economic cycles due to its balanced portfolio and prudent risk management practices.
- ING has improved its digital banking services, driving operational efficiency and customer engagement in key markets.
Considerations
- ING faces ongoing regulatory challenges and capital requirements in the European banking sector, impacting operational flexibility.
- The bank's exposure to economic downturns in Europe could pressure profitability given current macroeconomic uncertainties.
- ING's growth prospects are relatively slower compared to digital-native banks, reflecting its legacy infrastructure and market position.
next-earnings-date-heading
Nu Holdings’ next earnings date is expected on November 12, 2026, based on its current reporting schedule. That release should cover Q3 2026 results. If the company updates its calendar, the exact date could shift slightly, but mid-November is the current expectation.
next-earnings-date-heading
The next earnings date for ING is expected to be October 29, 2026. That report should cover Q3 2026 results. ING has already published its Q2 2026 results, and the next release follows the company’s typical late-October reporting pattern.
next-earnings-date-heading
Nu Holdings’ next earnings date is expected on November 12, 2026, based on its current reporting schedule. That release should cover Q3 2026 results. If the company updates its calendar, the exact date could shift slightly, but mid-November is the current expectation.
next-earnings-date-heading
The next earnings date for ING is expected to be October 29, 2026. That report should cover Q3 2026 results. ING has already published its Q2 2026 results, and the next release follows the company’s typical late-October reporting pattern.
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