Universo, a different approach to banking

Carlos Braziel David, Chief

Officer

Universo has been able to succeed with a different approach to banking services in Portugal. This has been reached by being “different”. But what does it mean being different? From our conversation we understand many things make Universo different, starting with the strong will to be “different”.

But there is much more: a broad ambition and challenging culture inherited from Sonae DNA; the ability to combine digital and physical worlds; the capacity to create and leverage ecosystems; the nerve of trying new technologies and emerging companies as partners (Universo started cloud-native already in 2015 and was one of the first clients of emerging companies at the time, as Mambu or Mastercard Processing Europe). The use of AI at its core and seeing itself as a technology company are some of the clues to understand “who” Universo is.

Universo: the background

As a multinational corporation managing a broad portfolio of companies in retail, telecommunications, financial services, technology, and real estate, Portugal-based Sonae’s solid culture and highly-developed ability to innovate and execute its actions take the benefits of progress to an ever-increasing number of people. It is a major employer in Portugal with a global customer base and a wide range of conscious focus, including impressive sustainability commitments and a focus on conscious practices.

The creation of the Universo was part of Sonae’s innovation policy that looks to challenge an industry while also fulfilling Sonae’s mission of bringing the benefits of progress and innovation to a growing number of Portuguese families.

Financial accessibility for all Sonae’s portfolio includes the Universo brand, a financial institution focused on B2C segment, offering accounts, payments, cards, credit (credit lines, in-store credit, BNPL…), personal loans, insurance, and investments. Founded 7 years ago, the company has more than a million clients and over €1bn of production generated yearly across its financial offers.

Universo integrates Sonae retail loyalty programmes to reach a wide base of the Portuguese families. Universo combines the Continente Loyalty programme and the Worten Resolve program to deliver a large range of benefits to its customers.

“Continente loyalty programme – which is the major loyalty programme in Portugal –offers Universo an important differentiation opportunity,” explains Carlos Braziel David, Chief Operating Officer of Sonae Universo. “The cashback is provided by this programme,

Carlos Braziel David

TITLE: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

INDUSTRY: FINTECH

LOCATION: LISBON, PORTUGAL

Carlos B David is Executive Board member (COO) at 'Universo Sonae' companies since 2015. Universo Sonae provides financial products and services (accounts, payments, credit, insurance and investments) to individuals and businesses, having more than 1 million customers in Portugal. Before joining Sonae, Carlos was Principal at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Iberia, having started his career in the financial sector, at JP Morgan. Carlos holds a degree in Economics from Nova SBE, a masters in Finance