Complete Guide: How to Choose the Best Bank to Invest in 2024

The decision of where to invest your money is more critical than ever. With the explosion of digital investment platforms, finding the option that perfectly suits your profile has become a constant challenge. This guide provides a detailed analysis of the main alternatives available in the Brazilian market.

Fundamental Criteria in the Search for the Best Bank to Invest

First of all, it is essential to understand which factors should guide your choice. The decision goes far beyond simply opening an account. Considerations such as fee structure, ease of use, number of available products, and suitability to your investor profile are decisive.

Each investor has different priorities. While some seek reduced fees and simple products to start, others want access to sophisticated instruments like derivatives and international investments. Therefore, there is no single answer to which is the best bank to invest in – everything depends on your specific needs.

The Importance of Fees and Costs

The fee structure is often the decisive factor. Some digital banks offer zero brokerage in stock transactions, while others charge per transaction. Nubank, for example, charges R$0.75 per operation in certain markets. Meanwhile, Banco Inter and C6 Bank offer complete exemption from brokerage and custody fees.

Each model has its implications. Investors who perform few transactions may benefit from fixed-fee models, while more active traders prefer structures without costs per transaction.

Platforms for Beginners: Security and Simplicity

For those starting their journey in the investment world, certain platforms stand out for their didactic approach and less complex products.

Nubank has established itself as a reference among Brazilians through its app integrated with the checking account. In addition to offering fixed income, variable income, and cryptocurrencies, it maintains a user-friendly interface characteristic of the brand. The main limitation is the absence of more sophisticated products.

Next, the arm of Banco Bradesco, explicitly targets beginners. With options for savings, investment funds, and fixed income, it offers exemption from brokerage fees but with more restricted functionalities compared to more daring products.

Banco BS2 follows a similar trajectory, presenting an intuitive platform with free fixed income and opportunities for international investments. However, operations in variable income face several charges.

Options for Experienced Investors: Sophistication and Variety

As knowledge increases, the demand for more complex products naturally grows. In this segment, there are platforms that offer unparalleled breadth.

XP Investimentos stands out for its advanced toolset. With access to fixed income, stocks, COEs, and derivatives, it charges zero fees on stock transactions but maintains costs on futures and options operations. It is the natural choice for traders and sophisticated investors.

BTG Pactual Digital, recognized as one of the largest investment banks in Latin America, offers a vast portfolio including multi-market funds and international products. Its variable brokerage structure decreases as transaction volume increases, and specialized service is directed to higher-income clients. The caveat lies in minimum investment requirements for certain products.

Banco Sofisa, fully digital, presents an interesting alternative with integration between checking accounts and investments. It charges R$2.99 per executed order in stocks and real estate funds but offers attractive rates on CDBs. The limitation lies in the smaller range of products compared to larger brokerages.

Established Institutions with Digital Modernization

Large Brazilian financial institutions have also entered the digital transformation, maintaining their solid reputation while expanding online offerings.

C6 Bank, partner of JP Morgan Chase, has grown significantly in products and customer base. Its platform offers exemption from brokerage and custody fees, with an intuitive home broker. However, transparency regarding additional charges still leaves something to be desired.

Banco Inter combines the efficiency of a digital brokerage with a modern app and various cards. Without brokerage and custody fees, it allows increasing credit limits through investments. Its costs are limited to settlement fees charged by B³.

Íon, Itaú’s investment platform, benefits from the reliability of the traditional bank. With exemption from brokerage in several products and integration with other services of the group, it requires users to have an account at Itaú, which may be a limitation for some.

Structured Comparison of the Main Offerings

Why Digital Platforms Have Revolutionized Investment

The digital transformation of the financial sector has democratized and made investment accessible. Previously, operations required physical travel and high costs. Today, through an app, it is possible to manage an entire investment portfolio.

The variety of products offered by digital platforms far exceeds what traditional banks provide. While conventional institutions often limit themselves to a few instruments, digital banks offer forex, indices, multi-market funds, cryptocurrencies, and international operations—all within the same ecosystem.

Another significant benefit is fee transparency. Digital banks tend to clearly disclose their costs, allowing for precise comparisons and more informed decision-making.

The Best Bank to Invest Depends on You

Choosing the best bank to invest in is not about universal rankings but about aligning your needs with the platform’s capabilities. A beginner may thrive with Nubank or Next, while an experienced trader will find value in XP Investimentos or BTG Pactual.

Assess your goals, transaction frequency, desired products, and tolerance for complexity. Compare fee structures, simulate operations, and take advantage of trial periods offered by platforms. This careful analysis will lead to a choice aligned with your profile and ambitions as an investor.