Cristina Junqueira, born in September 1982, is a prominent Brazilian businesswoman who co-founded Nubank, one of the world’s largest neobanks. With a background in engineering, she initially transitioned from management consulting to working in the banking sector, where she was tasked with managing a credit card portfolio for a major Brazilian bank. It was in 2013 that Cristina, alongside her co-founders, launched Nubank with a vision to offer transparent and user-friendly financial services. Today, Nubank serves over 53 million customers across Latin America, having grown into a significant player in the global fintech industry.
Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Cristina gained valuable experience at Unibanco, Brazil’s largest private banking group, where she became the head of the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector. After a merger between Unibanco and Itaú, the country’s second-largest private bank, she continued her work as a portfolio manager at Itaú. However, after leaving Itaú, Cristina joined LuizaCred, the financial services unit of the Brazilian retailer Magazine Luiza. This was a pivotal time for Cristina, as it provided her with the insights and experiences that would lead to the founding of Nubank.
The idea for Nubank came from Cristina’s desire to address the challenges faced by Brazilian consumers in the banking sector. In 2014, the company introduced its first product: a no-fee credit card managed entirely through a mobile app. This innovative solution offered Brazilian customers unprecedented transparency and simplicity in banking, earning immediate praise from both the press and consumers. Cristina’s ability to convince investors to back Nubank in its early stages allowed the company to rapidly scale. With the capital raised, she was able to invest in cutting-edge technologies that would become the foundation for Nubank’s future success.
Nubank’s use of technology played a key role in its rise. Cristina championed the adoption of AI, virtual assistants, voice recognition, and predictive analytics, all of which automated processes, enhanced security, and improved the customer experience. This focus on technological innovation allowed Nubank to provide faster, more personalized services, setting it apart from traditional banks and helping it attract a growing customer base.
In 2016, Nubank expanded its offerings with the launch of NuConta, a digital banking solution designed to provide a more accessible and transparent alternative to Brazil’s traditional banking system. NuConta allowed many previously unbanked Brazilians to access basic financial services at no cost, fulfilling Cristina’s mission of financial inclusion. By 2019, Nubank had expanded to Colombia and Mexico, continuing to grow its footprint across Latin America while maintaining its focus on customer service and financial inclusion.
A major milestone for Nubank came in 2021 when the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange, marking its emergence as a global fintech leader. The successful listing showed that a Latin American company could build a billion-dollar business and successfully compete in global markets. This achievement has inspired entrepreneurs across Latin America, demonstrating that innovative companies can thrive on the world stage.
Cristina’s leadership journey has not been without its challenges. As a female leader in a male-dominated fintech sector, she initially faced skepticism from investors and business partners who were more accustomed to traditional founder profiles. However, Cristina turned these challenges into opportunities, creating an inclusive culture within Nubank. She has championed gender inclusion, ensuring women are well-represented in leadership roles within the company. Through her advocacy for work-life balance and mentorship programs, Cristina is helping pave the way for future generations of women to succeed in both finance and technology.
In addition to her work at Nubank, Cristina has been instrumental in fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace environment. Nubank has implemented flexible working hours and policies that encourage employees to balance their personal and professional lives, including allowing time for parenting. Cristina also collaborates with educational institutions to develop fintech training programs aimed at empowering young women and equipping them with the skills needed for careers in technology and finance.
Based in São Paulo, Cristina balances her professional life with her family, including her husband, Rubens Pereira, and their three daughters. This balance allows her to pursue her business ambitions while also maintaining a fulfilling personal life.
Today, Nubank is not only a leading digital banking platform in Brazil, but also across Mexico and Colombia. Serving over 100 million customers, Nubank is one of the largest and most successful neobanks in the world, empowering individuals and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with simpler, more intuitive, and cost-effective financial services.
About Nubank
Nu was born in 2013 with the mission to fight complexity to empower people in their daily lives by reinventing financial services.
Nu Bank is one of the world’s largest digital banking platforms, serving more than 100 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
As one of the leading technology companies in the world, Nu leverages proprietary technologies and innovative business practices to create new financial solutions and experiences for individuals and SMEs that are simple, intuitive, convenient, low-cost, empowering, and human.
Guided by its mission, Nu is fostering access to financial services across Latin America.