Wise has appointed former Western Union executive Ricardo Amaral as its new Head of Banking for Latin America and Country Manager for Brazil.
The appointment is part of Wise’s ongoing expansion efforts in the Americas, following its recent entry into the Mexican market and approval for direct access to Brazil’s Instant Payment System (SPI), which underpins Pix.
In his new role, Amaral will oversee operations in Brazil and lead Wise’s business strategy across Latin America.
He will be responsible for implementing Pix integration and developing a region-specific growth strategy across customer segments, with the aim of improving the international payments experience for users in Brazil.
Amaral brings over 20 years of experience in financial services, particularly in markets with complex regulatory environments.
During his time at Western Union, he led operations in Brazil, Chile, Panama, and Colombia, among others, and played a key role in the company’s digital transformation in the region, managing a team of more than 300 people.
“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 recognised 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.”
Featured image credit: edited from freepik
