RI em Foco – Economic Transformation and Innovation in Services

Itaú Unibanco (B3: ITUB4), in partnership with MZ, recently promoted an event called  RI em Foco, a landmark opportunity to reflect on the global and national economic scenario and the technological innovations applied to the financial market. The event included lectures on in-depth economic analyses and presentations on innovative solutions, reaffirming the commitment of both these companies with the efficiency, security and modernization of services aimed at issuers and their communication with investors.

MZ, who is committed to empowering IR professionals by offering cutting-edge technology, exceptional customer service, and disseminating relevant content such as this, brings a summary and insights from this event that was attended by prominent names such as Mário Mesquita, chief economist at Itaú, PH Zabisky, CEO of MZ, Álvaro Pimentel, director responsible for Investment Services at Itaú, and Cássio Rufino, CFO and COO of MZ.

The meeting highlighted the role both these companies play in facilitating significant changes in the financial sector. On the agenda were global issues, such as the reelection of Donald Trump and its fiscal impacts, as well as technical details on improvements in bookkeeping services.

Global Economic Scenario and its Impact on Brazil

Chief economist Mário Mesquita presented a detailed analysis of the international economic scenario, starting with the transformations that the US fiscal policy could bring on a global scale. Donald Trump’s reelection was one of the central topics, highlighting the inflationary tariffs that are likely to be implemented in foreign trade and the possible renewal of tax cuts approved during his first term. These measures can directly impact global trade and, consequently, countries with strong commercial ties, such as Brazil.

The approval of the Reciprocal Trade Act, defended by Trump, was presented as a potential risk for Brazilian exports. Under this act, the United States would match its tariffs to those of its trade agreement countries, which could increase trade tensions and harm economies with higher tariffs, such as Brazil. Mesquita reinforced that dependency on China as a trading partner should continue to be a relevant factor for the Brazilian economy, since any Chinese slowdown directly affects Brazil’s GDP.

Furthermore, the panelists also discussed the increase in illegal immigration into the US and the desire for mass deportation as points that could worsen inflation and create tensions in the US job market, increasing global economic instability. These issues, combined with new fiscal pressures from the USA, were presented as elements that contribute to an environment of global uncertainty, especially for emerging countries.

In Brazil, fiscal challenges remain at the core of discussions. The economist highlighted the accelerated increase in social and pension program spending, emphasizing that the public debt’s trajectory remains concerning even after the implementation of the new fiscal framework. Projections indicate that debt stabilization in relation to GDP could take up to 15 years to materialize, requiring tighter fiscal policies.

Bookkeeping and Investor Customer Service: Innovation and Efficiency

The bookkeeping segment was a widely discussed topic during the event, with a presentation made by Álvaro and Karina, who are experts in this area. Itaú, which currently serves nearly 5 million investors and processes more than 150 billion shares, reaffirmed its commitment to offering high technological services with operational excellence.

Karina emphasized the strict role played by bookkeeping agents in managing issuer and investor relationships, ensuring that shareholding position data is used solely for regulatory and strategic benefits, free from commercial interests. This approach reflects Itaú’s commitment to maintaining customer trust, particularly in sensitive operations such as custody transfers and updates on personal registration data.

The implementation of the Ion portal was highlighted as a transformative milestone for the bank’s services, enabling investors to easily and securely access information and conduct operations. Iron is already responsible for more than 20% of registration updates, eliminating bureaucratic steps and reducing fraud-related risks, particularly in share transfer processes. The focus on security is reinforced by strict validation measures, which are essential for protecting investors against improper transfers.

Another highlight was the introduction of a WhatsApp customer service, which already accounts for 16% of the bank’s interactions with investors. This innovation seeks to simplify communication, reduce deadlines and improve customer experience. Additionally, Itaú is also undergoing a testing phase to expand digital service to issuers, which is expected to further optimize these users’ journey.

Strategic Partnerships and Technological Integration

One of the event’s central points was the partnership between Itaú and MZ, exemplifying how strategic collaboration can bring faster and more efficient solutions to the financial market. Recognizing MZ’s expertise in data processing and availability, Itaú chose to integrate its operations into the platform instead of developing its own internal solution. This allowed issuers to gain immediate access to data on shareholder base, schedules of events and other information that is critical for their management activities.

This partnership reflects Itaú’s open mindset and its constant search to integrate external innovations that complement its services. The release of specific APIs for information exchange between the bank and issuers was highlighted as one of the key deliverables with this partnership, ensuring greater security and efficiency in managing sensitive data.

In addition, the bank presented the improvements made in the management of long-term plans (ILP). The delivery of shares, which previously involved complex operational processes, is now done directly in the stock exchange environment, eliminating intermediate steps and giving the investor more autonomy. This change not only simplifies the process, but also reduces market volatility risks, allowing investors to take advantage of opportunities more quickly.

Innovation as a Support Pillar

The constant search for innovation was a recurring theme at the event, with practical examples illustrating how both companies have led transformations in the financial and investor communications sector. The use of advanced technologies and the ability to adapt to new regulatory demands were presented as key factors in maintaining the bank’s leadership in the bookkeeping segment.

Among the initiatives highlighted were the self-service features for investors via email and digital platforms, along with the launch of a simplified registration update feature on the Ion platform. These solutions reflect Itaú’s commitment to offering dynamic, personalized and secure services, aligned with the expectations of issuers and investors.

The event also highlighted how Itaú has invested in technology to improve customer experience and now counts on MZ’s support and expertise to offer complementary services. Each initiative, from reducing deadlines for custody transfers to implementing detailed corporate event schedules, is guided by a customer-centric vision. This approach ensures the Bank maintains its market leadership, even in a highly competitive environment.

Conclusion

The RI em Foco event promoted by Itaú, in partnership with MZ, reaffirmed these companies’ roles as the main transformation agents in the domestic financial market. By combining accurate economic analysis with cutting-edge technological innovations, both Itaú and MZ demonstrate their ability to act as leaders of their respective sectors and offer complementary services during times of rapid changes, both globally and locally.

The commitment to these strategic partnerships, coupled with a focus on security and efficiency in bookkeeping services, serves as concrete proof of both companies’ long-term vision. Furthermore, the Bank’s alignment with global trends, such as sustainability and clean energy, reinforces its relevance as an institution that anticipates and responds to customer and market demands.

In the end, the event not only highlighted these companies’ achievements, but also discussed the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the financial market and its agents. Both Itaú and MZ, driven by continuous innovation and operational excellence, are well-positioned to continue exemplifying leadership and commitment in their respective sectors.

We hope to have helped with this information and insights into the RI em Foco event promoted by Itáu, in partnership with MZ, and we are here, always at your service!

External Communications and MZ Research Team

About MZ

MZ (www.mzgroup.com.br) is the largest and leading independent global player in investor relations (IR) solutions.

Founded in 1999, the Company has surpassed the mark of 2,000 websites published, currently serving over 800 companies and investment management firms listed on 12 stock exchanges.

To empower IR strategies, MZ delivers innovative technologies and exceptional customer service, ensuring long-term partnerships.