The popularization of digital banks has transformed the way we deal with our finances, offering agility and convenience. However, choosing a financial institution raises a fundamental question: Which digital bank is really safe and solid?
First of all, it is important to reinforce an essential point: all institutions authorized to operate as banks in Brazil, according to their size, are subject to the governance mechanisms, internal controls, risk management and supervision by the Central Bank, regardless of whether they are digital or not.
This means that solidity and security are measured by a set of factors objectives that guarantee the protection of your money and the stability of the institution. For the consumer, understanding these criteria is essential to make an informed decision and build a lasting relationship of trust.
What defines a safe bank in practice?
The concept of “safe banking” goes far beyond the popular perception that larger institutions are automatically more trustworthy. The security of a bank must be assessed based on the strength of the balance sheet, the quality of the credit portfolio, the liquidity position and the the institution’s ability to go through different economic cycles without generating surprises for customers and investors.
Banks that maintain prudent structures, with disciplined risk managementtend to offer more predictability and stability. This is reflected in the customer’s daily experience and the trust built over time.
Financial strength indicators
The solidity of a bank is measured by concrete and public data. Among the most relevant are:
- Basel Ratio, which measures the relationship between a bank’s equity capital and its risk-weighted assets
- Liquidity levels that indicate the institution’s ability to honor its short-term commitments
- Asset quality, as secured credit portfolios enable greater resilience in unfavorable economic cycles and reduce unexpected losses
- Diversification of capture sources, which avoids excessive concentration and contributes to stability
- Consistent profitability and controlled default in the credit portfolio
Institutions like Inter, which follow these indicators, demonstrate solidity in different aspects. One of them is to maintain a credit portfolio mostly collateralizedin which around two-thirds of loans are guaranteed. Added to this is consistent discipline in risk management, forming the basis of a truly solid institution.
For Alexandre Riccio, CEO of Inter in Brazil, having adequate capital, liquidity, asset quality, diversified funding, responsible risk management and a strong financial balance guarantees greater peace of mind for customerseven in more turbulent or challenging economic scenarios.
“Furthermore, the quality of leadership, the and the existence of protection mechanisms to the customer are also relevant points. In practice, the customer experience, the stability of digital channels and trust in the brand end up being important signs of this solidity on a daily basis”, says the executive.
Essential customer protections
In a digital bank, this theme involves multiple layers, ranging from financial guarantees to technological securityalso raising people’s awareness:
- Credit Guarantee Fund (FGC): for eligible deposits, the FGC offers a guarantee of up to R$250,000.00 per CPF/CNPJ per financial institution, with a global limit of R$1,000,000.00 every 4-year period
- Advanced cybersecurity systems: include fraud prevention and monitoring, data encryption, and strong authentication mechanisms such as biometrics and multiple verification factors
- Financial and digital education: mature banks invest in raising customer awareness about scams and good online security practices
- Clear reimbursement and service policies: agile and efficient service channels are crucial for resolving problems and ensuring reimbursement in the event of incidents
Mature banks continually invest in technology and evolving controls to protect users, creating a safer and more secure digital environment. minimizing fraud risks. Financial and digital education, an important pillar for Inter, is also an example of a fundamental protection measure.
How mature institutions respond to incidents
Even with the most robust security measures, incidents can occur. What differentiates a mature institution is the way it responds to these challenges. The speed in identifying the problem, clear and transparent communication with customers, the existence of defined crisis management structures and the impact containment capacity are decisive.
Alexandre Riccio explains that an “essential point [de segurança] It is the ability to learn from events and adjust processes and controls, continually strengthening the risk management system.”
One proactive and adaptive stance signals maturity and commitment to security, ensuring that the institution is always evolving to protect its customers and their assets.
Informed choice, protected finances
To choose a digital bank, it is essential to observe financial indicators, quality of risk management, protections offered and incident response capacity.
A Financial security is a shared right and responsibilityin which the transparency of institutions and consumer surveillance complement each other for a more trustworthy digital environment.
Institutions that combine robust liquidity, asset quality, a diversified business model and continuous investments in technology offer an example of how strength is built in the digital environment.
By prioritizing these criteria, consumers enjoy the convenience of digital banking with the peace of mind of knowing that their finances are in good hands.
