Franq Raises US$12.4 Million Series B to Expand Independent Banking Platform

Brazilian Fintech Franq has secured US$12.4 million in a Series B funding round to strengthen its independent banking platform, expand its financial products portfolio and accelerate investments in artificial intelligence and professional training.

The round was led by Valor Capital Group, Quona Capital and Globo Ventures, all of which had previously invested in the company’s Series A round.

Founded in 2019 by Paulo Silva, Franq has now raised more than US$26.4 million since its launch.

Franq plans expansion across insurance, investments and AI

According to the company, the new capital injection will primarily support the expansion of products in insurance, investments and corporate solutions. Franq also plans to intensify the use of artificial intelligence while strengthening training and engagement programs for professionals operating through the platform.

Franq ended 2025 with US$423 million in originated operations and expects to approach US$705 million this year. The company says it has maintained annual growth close to 80%.

“The market strongly believes in the potential of the independent banker,” said Silva. “Those who choose Franq gain freedom to work impartially and access to the best financial solutions available.”

How Franq’s platform works

Franq’s business model allows experienced banking professionals to operate independently instead of being tied exclusively to a single bank. The platform currently brings together more than 150 financial products from over 50 partner banks and Fintechs in a single digital environment.

Its marketplace includes mortgage financing, loans, consortium products, insurance and home equity credit solutions. Professionals can compare offers and recommend products based on clients’ needs rather than institutional priorities.

Silva describes the model as a shift in the traditional relationship between bankers and consumers.

“What we are enabling is for bankers to become managers for the client, not managers for the bank,” he explained.

The company says more than 10,000 bankers and investment advisors have already used the platform. To join, professionals must have at least five years of banking sector experience, while the average registered professional is 42 years old.

The origin story behind Franq

The idea for Franq emerged after Silva left the traditional financial sector. Before founding the company, he built his career at institutions including Banco do Brasil, Citigroup, HSBC and Santander, where he held leadership roles in retail and commercial operations.

Silva said the concept started taking shape in 2017 as he observed bank branch closures and the growing number of professionals leaving large financial institutions.

“If a doctor leaves a hospital, they can open a private practice. If a lawyer leaves a law firm, they continue practicing. Bankers have traditionally depended on banks to work,” he said.

After studying international models for independent financial advisory services for nearly two years, Silva officially launched Franq’s commercial operation in October 2019.

Although headquartered in Florianópolis, the company’s first professionals operated in Porto Alegre. Shortly after launch, Franq faced the first impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic during its national expansion phase, while simultaneously completing its first institutional funding rounds.

AI and training become central to growth strategy

Franq currently employs around 200 people across technology, operations and professional support teams. A significant portion of the new funding will be directed toward expanding AI applications in customer service and operational processes involving its “personal bankers,” the term the company uses for independent professionals on the platform.

The company aims to automate operational tasks such as document analysis, proposal classification and workflow monitoring, allowing bankers to focus more on advisory relationships with clients.

“AI will increasingly handle the operational layer,” said Gustavo Hartmann, CTO de Franq. “That frees personal bankers to focus on what truly creates value, which is strengthening client relationships.”

In addition to technology investments, Franq also plans to create physical hubs dedicated to training and professional development.

Franq targets continued growth in Brazil’s financial market

Franq has positioned itself among the country’s leading originators of mortgage financing and consortium products. Silva believes the expansion of both its professional network and transaction volume demonstrates increasing market acceptance of the model.

“When you see so many bankers searching for this and an operation growing at this pace, it clearly shows consumers are beginning to understand the proposal,” he said.

Although the company does not disclose revenue figures, Silva stated that Franq has already reached operational break-even while continuing to prioritize investments aimed at accelerating growth.