Wise, the global technology company building the best way to move and manage the worldʼs money, has announced the appointment of former Western Union executive Ricardo Amaral as its new Head of Banking for Latin America and Country Manager for Brazil. This strategic hire is a key component of Wise's ambitious expansion in the Americas. It follows Wise's recent launch in the Mexican market and approval for direct connection to Brazil's Instant Payment System SPI - infrastructure that enables Pix).

In his role, Amaral will oversee Wise’s operations in Brazil and lead the development and execution of the fintech’s business strategy across Latin America. He will be responsible for delivering the PIX integration and driving a highly localized growth strategy across all customer segments to further Wise's contributions to a faster, more convenient, and efficient international payment experience for Brazilians.

With over two decades of experience in financial services, Amaral's expertise developing services in markets with complex regulatory frameworks uniquely positions him to drive Wise’s growth in Latin America. Previously at Western Union, Amaral managed operations across Brazil, Chile, Panama, Colombia, among other countries, spearheading digitalization efforts and leading a team of over 300 professionals.

“I am thrilled to join Wise and contribute to the company’s mission of building the best way to move and manage money across borders,” said Amaral. “Having been here only a few weeks, I've already recognized the extensive knowledge and expertise within our local teams. I am eager to collaborate with them in Brazil and across Latin America, contributing to our growth in the Americas region.”

The appointment of Amaral underscores the company's commitment to serving a large and growing region within its Americas operations, further solidifying Wise's position as a leader in the global financial landscape.