Revolut Cleared to Buy Banco Cetelem in Argentina

Revolut has received the regulatory green light to take over Banco Cetelem, a small Argentine lender currently owned by BNP Paribas. The approval clears the way for the UK-based fintech to extend its banking footprint into Argentina.

The acquisition marks another step in Revolut's broader international expansion. The company has been building a global banking and payments platform, and Latin America has become a busy arena for digital finance challengers seeking new customers. Argentina's market, though volatile, has drawn interest from fintechs looking to offer app-based accounts and cards.

Banco Cetelem is a modest player in Argentine banking, so the deal is unlikely to reshape the competitive landscape on its own. Still, the purchase gives Revolut a locally licensed base from which to grow. For BNP Paribas, the sale fits a pattern of trimming non-core operations.

The green light is the latest sign that regulators are willing to let well-known fintechs buy established banks when the target is small. Whether Revolut can translate the approval into meaningful market share will depend on execution in a country with a long history of economic swings.