$BBD vs $ITUB: Brazil's Leading Banks Respond to Shifting Political Winds BBD is Brazil's second-largest private bank and its largest insurer, while ITUB is Latin America's largest private-sector bank. Both stocks surged in recent market activity after Brazil's presidential first-round result triggered a broad repricing of Brazilian financial assets. ITUB has historically posted superior profitability, with return on equity (ROE) well above 20%. BBD trades at a lower valuation multiple and is in the midst of an operational recovery that has drawn recent analyst upgrades. Relative performance favors BBD over the short term, while ITUB shows greater longer-term stability.