Brazil’s three digital banking giants each claim to approve customers regardless of credit score, but their approaches to credit limits vary dramatically.

This detailed comparison reveals which bank truly offers the best limits for low-score customers and how to maximize your chances with each.

Nubank: The Behavioral Analysis Pioneer

Nubank revolutionized Brazilian banking by looking beyond traditional credit scores to approve millions previously rejected.

Nubank’s Low Score Strategy:

• Initial Limits: Start at R$ 50 to R$ 200 for most low scores

• Growth Potential: Can reach R$ 5,000+ within 12 months

• Analysis Method: App behavior, payment patterns, and engagement

• Approval Rate: Approximately 60% for low-score applicants

Nubank Limit Building Tactics:

• Frequent Small Purchases: Daily use accelerates increases

• Early Payments: Paying before due date triggers reviews

• Nu Conta Usage: Active account holders get preference

• Friend Referrals: Successful invites improve your profile

Real User Reports:

• Starting Point: Users report R$ 50-100 initial limits

• 6-Month Mark: Average increase to R$ 500-1,000

• One Year: Active users reach R$ 2,000-5,000

• Exception Cases: Some receive R$ 1,000+ immediately

Inter Bank: The Account Relationship Approach

Inter focuses on overall banking relationship rather than isolated credit analysis.

Inter’s Score Strategy:

• Initial Limits: R$ 200 to R$ 1,000 for account holders

• Growth Speed: Faster increases than competitors

• Key Factor: Account movement and direct deposits

• Approval Rate: 70% for active account users

Inter Limit Maximization:

• Direct Deposit: Salary receipt dramatically improves limits

• Investment Products: Even R$ 100 CDB helps profile

• Bill Payments: Centralizing bills shows stability

• Debit Card Usage: Regular spending builds trust

Typical Inter Journey:

• Account Opening: Start with R$ 0 credit limit

• Month 3: First limit around R$ 500-1,000

• Month 6: Increases to R$ 2,000-3,000 common

• Year One: R$ 5,000+ for engaged users

C6 Bank: The Guaranteed Limit Option

C6 offers unique secured card options guaranteeing limits regardless of score.

C6’s Dual Approach:

• Regular Card: R$ 100 to R$ 500 for low scores

• Secured Card: Your CDB deposit = your limit

• Hybrid Model: Secured customers often get additional unsecured limit

• Approval Rate: 100% for secured, 50% for regular

C6 Strategic Options:

• CDB Investment: Deposit R$ 500-50,000 as guarantee

• Earning While Spending: CDB continues earning interest

• Trust Building: Secured use leads to unsecured offers

• Premium Path: Good users upgrade to Carbon

C6 Limit Evolution:

• Secured Start: You control initial limit

• 3 Months: May receive unsecured addition

• 6 Months: Full transition to regular card possible

• Long Term: Premium cards with R$ 10,000+ limits

Head-to-Head Comparison

Initial Limits for Score 300-500:

• Nubank: R$ 50-200 (sometimes R$ 0)

• Inter: R$ 200-1,000 (with account)

• C6 Regular: R$ 100-500

• C6 Secured: You choose (R$ 500-50,000)

Limit Growth Speed:

• Fastest: Inter (with salary deposit)

• Steady: Nubank (with consistent use)

• Guaranteed: C6 (with CDB investment)

Best for Different Situations:

• No Bank Account: Nubank

• Salary Recipient: Inter

• Have Savings: C6 Secured

• Patient Builder: Nubank

Maximizing Limits at Each Bank

Universal Strategies:

• Clean CPF Data: Update registration at Serasa

• Multiple Applications: Apply to all three simultaneously

• Start Small: Accept low limits to build history

• Perfect Payments: Never miss due dates

Bank-Specific Tips:

• Nubank: Use app daily, enable notifications

• Inter: Concentrate all banking activities

• C6: Start secured, transition to regular

Real User Experiences

Bank	Common Start	6 Months	1 Year	Best Case
Nubank	R$ 50-200	R$ 500-1,000	R$ 2,000-5,000	R$ 10,000+
Inter	R$ 500-1,000	R$ 2,000-3,000	R$ 5,000+	R$ 15,000+
C6 Regular	R$ 100-500	R$ 1,000-2,000	R$ 3,000-5,000	R$ 10,000+
C6 Secured	You choose	+Unsecured	Full regular	R$ 20,000+

Which Bank Wins for Low Score?

The Verdict:

• Highest Initial Limit: C6 Secured (you control)

• Fastest Natural Growth: Inter (with account use)

• Best Without Money: Inter (for salary recipients)

• Most Democratic: Nubank (approves more people)

Recommended Strategy:

1. Have Savings? Start with C6 Secured

2. Receive Salary? Open Inter account first

3. Neither? Apply to Nubank immediately

4. Best Approach? Apply to all three

Timeline Expectations

Realistic Growth Path:

• Month 1: R$ 50-1,000 depending on bank

• Month 3: First increases arrive

• Month 6: Significant jumps possible

• Year 1: R$ 3,000-5,000 achievable

• Year 2: R$ 10,000+ for best users

Conclusion

For low-score customers seeking higher limits, Inter edges ahead with better initial limits and faster growth for account holders.

C6 Bank wins if you have savings to secure a card. Nubank remains the most accessible but starts lowest.

The smartest strategy? Open accounts with all three banks and build relationships simultaneously – your future self will thank you for the options.