SumUp, a global payments and financial technology company serving micro and small businesses, has confirmed Mariana Lazaro as chief executive officer of its Brazilian operation. Lazaro joined the company in 2019 and previously held the role of chief financial officer for Brazil and the Americas. Her appointment follows several months as interim CEO after the departure of Carlos Grieco.
Leadership Appointment Emphasizes Internal Development
Lazaro brings more than two decades of experience in finance, strategic planning, and business development across technology, payments, financial services, and agribusiness. Her career includes positions at global companies such as Indigo, First Data, and Unysis. She holds a degree in business administration from San Diego State University and has also studied at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
In a statement, Lazaro said officially assuming leadership of the Brazilian operation means continuing the strategic challenge of creating opportunities to empower micro and small entrepreneurs. She emphasized simple, accessible, and innovative solutions as central to the company's purpose. Her message reinforces the company's focus on serving small business owners through practical financial tools.
The appointment also reflects SumUp's broader commitment to leadership development and diversity within its workforce. In Brazil, the company has 610 employees, of whom 46 percent are women and 24 percent identify as LGBTQIAP+. Women currently hold 35 percent of leadership positions in the Brazilian operation, which the company views as evidence of its inclusive culture.
Regulatory Change Expands Credit Capabilities
The leadership confirmation comes weeks after SumUp obtained approval from the Central Bank of Brazil to operate as a Sociedade de Crédito, Financiamento e Investimento, or SCFI. This change replaces its previous Sociedade de Crédito Direto license and gives the fintech more flexibility to structure credit for merchants. It also allows the company to diversify its funding sources more effectively.
Lazaro described the SCFI license as a milestone in SumUp's trajectory in Brazil and a reinforcement of its long-term commitment to Brazilian entrepreneurs. She noted that the company has built strong relationships with small business owners and understands the challenges of managing and growing a business. The new license, she said, positions SumUp as an even more strategic partner for its customers.
The approval is described by the company as a natural evolution of its presence in Brazil. SumUp has built a close relationship with millions of small businesses and develops products based on their real needs. The new license gives the company flexibility to offer credit products with terms and rates that are better adjusted to different customer profiles.
A Maturing Financial Ecosystem
SumUp was founded in Europe in 2012 and entered Brazil in 2013. It initially became known for card payment machines and has since evolved into a broader financial ecosystem for micro and small enterprises. The company now serves more than four million businesses across 37 markets in Europe, the United States, Oceania, and Latin America.
In Brazil, SumUp offers products that include card machines, payment links, tap-to-pay functionality, and a digital account through SumUp Bank. The company also provides lending products designed to support the cash flow and growth of small businesses. These services form part of a strategy to act as a complete financial partner for entrepreneurs.
Overall, SumUp's confirmation of Mariana Lazaro and its new regulatory status mark a period of structural advancement in Brazil. The company is strengthening internal leadership while expanding its capacity to provide credit and financial tools to micro and small entrepreneurs. These moves are expected to support long-term growth and reinforce the firm's role in the Brazilian payments landscape.