StoneCo Ltd. announced that CEO Pedro Zinner will step down effective March 2026, with Chief Financial Officer Mateus Scherer named as his successor.
Zinner has led the company for three years, steering a transformation from a payments processor to a comprehensive financial services platform that includes banking, credit, and AI‑powered solutions. The shift has been accompanied by divestments of non‑core assets such as Linx and a focus on higher‑margin financial services.
StoneCo’s most recent quarterly results, released in Q3 2025, showed total revenue of BRL 3.6 billion, up 16 % year‑over‑year, and adjusted net income rising 18 % year‑over‑year. Adjusted earnings per share of $0.43 met consensus estimates, reflecting disciplined cost management and a favorable mix of high‑margin banking and credit revenue.
Revenue growth was driven primarily by the Financial Services segment, which accounted for the majority of the company’s top line. Payments revenue grew modestly, while the banking and credit arm expanded as StoneCo’s digital banking platform attracted new customers. AI integration has further enhanced fraud detection and customer service, contributing to margin improvement.
In a statement, Zinner said, “Leading Stone through this relevant chapter has been a privilege. Together with an exceptional team, we reshaped the Company, reinforced financial discipline, and built a stronger, more focused platform for the future. My decision to step down is driven by personal considerations, and I am confident that Stone is well positioned to continue executing on its strategy.” Scherer, who has overseen capital allocation and risk management, emphasized the company’s commitment to profitability and ecosystem expansion.
Investors reacted cautiously to the leadership change, reflecting the uncertainty that often accompanies a CEO transition even when a successor is named.
The transition signals continuity in StoneCo’s strategic trajectory while positioning the company to capitalize on its growing financial services ecosystem. Headwinds such as macroeconomic volatility in Brazil and competitive pressure from peers like PagSeguro remain, but the company’s focus on cost discipline, AI‑driven efficiencies, and higher‑margin banking and credit services provides a foundation for sustained growth.
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