What Ouze does

Ouze is a Brazilian financial services company, founded in 2007 as Calcard and rebranded in 2020, that issues a Visa-branded credit card positioned as the exclusive credit product of Studio Z retail stores. The company serves Brazilian consumers, with primary customer overlap being Studio Z shoe and accessory shoppers, and extends into underserved Brazilian consumers seeking credit access, over-indebted families needing renegotiation tools, and buyers of affordable insurance products. Its core technology is a mobile application (Aplicativo Ouze) with contactless (NFC) payment capability, real-time purchase notifications, digital invoice management, and self-service limits/inquiries; cards can be physically printed in approximately 10 minutes at Studio Z stores, combining retail-embedded issuance with a digital-first servicing layer.

The product portfolio extends well beyond the credit card: personal loans of R$300 to R$5,000 (7.90%–15.90% monthly interest), quick cash withdrawals (Saque Rápido) of up to R$2,000 at Studio Z stores (15.99%/month, CET 574.01%/year), and a five-product insurance and assistance suite covering dental (R$39.99/month), health assistance (R$19.90/month), protected invoice (R$9.99/month), protected bag (R$8.49/month), and home assistance (R$13.99/month). Ouze operates as a Correspondente Bancário under Central Bank Resolution 3.594/11, intermediating credit with partner financial institutions rather than holding its own banking license, and partners with Visa for the card network, Zurich for the Bolsa Protegida insurance product, Prevident/BDConnect for the dental network, and Rede Mais Saúde for health services.

The business model is multi-stream: card interchange and merchant discount rates (Visa transactions), an R$16.99/month card fee (R$203.88/year), interest income on loans and quick cash, insurance and assistance commissions, debt renegotiation fees (2.99%–14.99%/month depending on term), and loyalty economics through Clube +STZ (up to 15% cashback at Studio Z, 80+ partner brands). Distribution is hybrid: physical Studio Z stores for acquisition and instant card issuance, a mobile app and website portal for self-service, customer service centers (SAC), and self-service kiosks (totens) in-store. The company is LGPD-compliant, certified as a Great Place to Work, and publishes semi-annual financial statements (2024 H1 and H2).

Name

Ouze

Legal name

OUZE

Website

https://sejaouze.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ouze is a Brazilian Visa-branded credit card issuer, formerly Calcard, tightly integrated with Studio Z retail stores where cards are printed in 10 minutes. It extends the card relationship into personal loans, quick cash, and an affordable insurance suite for Brazilian consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Credit Services

NAICS

Credit Card Issuing (522210)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Cards & Expense Solutions (T&E, purchasing, fleet) (FSABAIAG)

Keywords

• Private label credit cards
• Consumer credit services
• Personal installment loans
• Store branded cards
• Retail financial services

Headquarters

HQ city

São José

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Credit Card Transaction Fees: Ouze earns interchange fees from Visa transactions processed through its credit cards, as well as merchant discount rates when cardholders make purchases at Studio Z and other establishments.
2. Personal Loan Interest: Ouze acts as a corresponding bank (Correspondente Bancário) facilitating personal loans from R$300 to R$5,000 at interest rates of 7.90% to 15.90% per month, earning spread and origination fees.
3. Quick Cash (Saque Rápido) Interest: Quick cash withdrawals of up to R$2,000 at Studio Z stores, paid in installments on the credit card bill with interest rates of 15.99% per month.
4. Annual/Monthly Card Fee: Card annual fee of R$16.99 per month (R$203.88 per year), charged directly to the cardholder's monthly statement.
5. Insurance and Assistance Products: Commission revenue from insurance and assistance products including dental plans (R$39.99/month), health assistance (R$19.90/month), protected invoice (R$9.99/month), protected bag (R$8.49/month), and home assistance (R$13.99/month).
6. Debt Negotiation Fees: Revenue from debt renegotiation services with interest rates ranging from 2.99% to 14.99% per month depending on installment terms (up to 23 installments).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ouze is a Brazilian consumer financial services company that issues a Visa-branded private-label credit card (Cartão Ouze Visa) primarily distributed through Studio Z retail stores, where cards can be printed and issued within 10 minutes. Beyond the credit card, the company offers personal loans (R$300 to R$5,000), quick cash withdrawals (Saque Rápido) of up to R$2,000 at Studio Z stores, debt renegotiation services, and a portfolio of low-cost insurance and assistance products (dental, health, protected invoice, protected bag, and home assistance).

Product overview

Ouze is a financial services company offering a unified credit card product (Cartão Ouze Visa) backed by Visa's global payment network, complemented by credit and insurance offerings. The core product portfolio includes the Visa-branded credit card as the central platform, with integrated financial services including personal loans (Empréstimo Pessoal up to R$5,000), quick cash withdrawals (Saque Rápido up to R$500), and a suite of insurance/assistance products (dental plan, health assistance, protected invoice, protected bag, and home assistance). The company also operates the Clube +STZ loyalty program and partner discount program, all accessible through a mobile application. Ouze acts as a correspondent bank under Central Bank of Brazil Resolution 3.594/11, intermediating credit services with partner financial institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cartão Ouze Visa (Ouze Visa Credit Card) Visa-branded private-label credit card with worldwide acceptance, contactless payment technology, and exclusive conditions at Studio Z retail stores including up to 10x fixed installments or 5 interest-free, 10% discount on first purchase, up to 70 days to start paying, and R$16.99 monthly fee (R$203.88/year). Targeted at Brazilian consumers, particularly Studio Z shoppers.
• Empréstimo Pessoal (Personal Loan) Personal loan product ranging from R$300 to R$5,000 for paying debts, home improvements, or travel, with installments up to 15x fixed payments, first payment due in up to 45 days, interest rates from 7.90% to 15.90% per month, and funds deposited within 48 business hours. Targeted at Brazilian consumers needing credit for various personal purposes.
• Saque Rápido (Quick Cash) Quick cash withdrawal of up to R$2,000 available in-store at Studio Z, payable in installments up to 3x on the credit card statement at 15.99% monthly interest rate. Available for pre-approved customers who have held the Ouze Visa card for at least 6 months.
• Odonto Ouze (Dental Plan) Comprehensive dental plan at R$39.99/month for primary cardholder, R$35.99/person/month for up to 10 dependents, including consultations, cleaning, fluoride, gum treatment, extractions, X-rays, emergency care, root canals, restorations, pediatric dentistry, and prosthetic coverage. Available nationwide through the Prevident network.
• Assistência Saúde (Health Assistance) Health assistance program at R$19.90/month offering access to 500+ medical specialties, 2,000+ types of exams, free unlimited telemedicine, consultations and exams up to 80% discount, medication discounts up to 80%, wellness services, and coverage across 26+ Brazilian states. Includes 3 free dependents.
• Fatura Protegida Premiável (Protected Invoice) Protected invoice insurance at R$9.99/month providing up to R$1,000 invoice protection coverage including voluntary unemployment (CLT and self-employed), accidental death, and physical disability due to accident.
• Bolsa Protegida Premiável (Protected Bag) Protected bag insurance at R$8.49/month offering accidental death coverage of R$10,000, bag protection up to R$1,500, mobile phone protection up to R$1,500, PIX protection up to R$1,000, card protection up to R$1,000, and cash withdrawal protection up to R$1,000.
• Assistência Lar (Home Assistance) Home assistance service at R$13.99/month providing 24/7 emergency services including locksmith, electrician, glazier, emergency babysitter, emergency cleaner, appliance repairs (refrigerator, washing machine), and hotel accommodation for emergency temporary relocation situations.
• Clube +STZ Benefits club offering up to 15% cashback on Studio Z purchases when paying with the Ouze card, exclusive promotions, early access to new products, and discounts at 80+ partner brands including Hering, O Boticário, FlixBus, Decolar, and various universities. Free enrollment for Ouze customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 15% cashback at Studio Z through Clube +STZ
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• VisacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Visa provides the payment network infrastructure for Ouze credit cards, enabling worldwide acceptance at over 200 countries and territories. The partnership, established in 2019, transformed Calcard from a store-only card to a full-fledged international credit card accepted everywhere Visa is accepted. The Visa partnership also enables additional benefits programs like 'Vai de Visa' offering discounts at partner merchants.
• Studio Z (STZ)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudio Z is the primary retail channel for Ouze credit cards and the exclusive merchant partner for differentiated card conditions. Customers can obtain cards at Studio Z stores, make payments, and withdraw cash. Studio Z offers exclusive conditions for Ouze cardholders including up to 10x installments, 10% first purchase discount, and up to 70 days to start paying. The first Studio Z store opened in 1975 in Várzea Grande, and the chain provides the retail foundation for Ouze's distribution.
• Clube +STZmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBenefits club program offering Ouze cardholders up to 15% cashback on Studio Z purchases, exclusive promotions, and early access to new products. Free enrollment for Ouze customers. Drives customer acquisition and loyalty through rewards.
• Partner Brands (80+ merchants)minorGTM or Marketing Partner80+ partner brands offering discounts to Ouze cardholders including Hering (15% off), O Boticario, FlixBus (12% off), Decolar, and educational institutions (30% off on graduation courses). Part of the Clube +STZ benefits ecosystem.
• Partner Financial InstitutionsmajorOthersOuze operates as a corresponding bank (Correspondente Bancário) under Central Bank Resolution 3.594/11, facilitating personal loans from partner financial institutions. This allows Ouze to offer loan products while partner banks provide the capital and assume credit risk.
• Zurich InsuranceminorOthersZurich provides insurance infrastructure for the Protected Bag (Bolsa Protegida Premiável) product, including accidental death coverage of R$10,000 and various protection benefits. Customers can access Zurich services through the Zurich customer portal.
• PDK AdvogadosminorOthersPDK Advogados serves as the Data Protection Officer (Encarregado de Proteção de Dados/DPO) for Ouze, managing LGPD compliance and data governance matters.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Inter & Co: Brazilian digital super-app offering credit cards, personal loans, insurance, and a broad marketplace. Targets the same mass-market Brazilian consumer base as Ouze, with a more comprehensive product suite and a publicly listed parent with capital markets access.
• Crefisa: Brazilian consumer credit specialist offering high-cost personal loans, payroll loans, and credit cards to underbanked Brazilian consumers. Closely comparable to Ouze in target segment, pricing structure, and corresponding-bank intermediation model.
• Nubank: Brazil's largest digital bank, offering a flagship no-fee credit card, personal loans, and insurance/assistance products to underbanked Brazilian consumers. Directly competes with Ouze for the same mass-market customer segment and is reshaping pricing expectations for credit cards and personal loans in Brazil.
• Banco PAN: Brazilian bank focused on consumer credit, credit cards, and payroll-deductible lending, with significant exposure to underbanked and emerging-middle-class segments. Competes directly with Ouze on personal loans and credit cards targeted at the same customer profile.
• Banco BMG: Brazilian bank with deep focus on payroll-deductible loans (consignado) and consumer credit to underbanked and lower-income segments. Directly comparable to Ouze on credit products, customer profile, and reliance on partner distribution channels.
• C6 Bank: Brazilian digital bank offering credit cards (including the C6 Carbon flagship), personal loans, and insurance to a broad consumer base. Competes with Ouze for underbanked and emerging-middle-class Brazilian consumers seeking accessible credit and integrated financial services.
• Cartão Renner: Private label credit card of Lojas Renner, one of Brazil's largest apparel retailers, with embedded credit, personal loans, and insurance offerings. Highly comparable to Ouze as a retail-anchored consumer credit and financial services platform.
• Cartão Havan: Private label credit card of Havan, a large Brazilian retail chain, offering store-anchored credit and benefits similar to Ouze's Studio Z arrangement. Comparable as a retail-embedded consumer credit model targeting underbanked Brazilian consumers.
• Cartão Riachuelo: Private label credit card issued for the Riachuelo retail chain, the most analogous model in Brazil to Ouze's Studio Z exclusivity. Directly comparable business model combining a retail-embedded card with personal loans and insurance for chain customers.

Broad incumbents

• Itaú Unibanco: Brazil's largest private bank, offering a full suite of consumer credit cards, personal loans, and insurance. Competes broadly with Ouze across all product lines as a mass-market incumbent, but with vastly greater scale, regulatory standing, and brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/ouzecartao
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7u0e_DXT-fe7PcnDONnpxw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ouzecartao
• Facebookfacebook.com/ouzecartao

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ouze