Updates with further details about the announcement in paragraphs 2, 8-9, and quotes from Lago and Velez in paragraphs 5-7

SAO PAULO, June 1 (Reuters) - Brazilian digital lender Nubank NU.N has appointed Rob Livingston, a Visa V.N executive, as its new Chief Financial Officer, Nubank said on Monday.

Livingston, whose last job was as CFO for North America at Visa, and who previously spent almost 20 years at Capital One COF.N, will join Nubank as the digital lender prepares its debut in the United States next year.

The U.S. executive is replacing Guilherme Lago, a Brazilian who has served as CFO since 2021 and is now due to become special advisor to the management, Nubank said.

The change is effective July 13, according to Nubank. The company has shares listed in New York under the Nu Holdings corporate umbrella.

Lago told Reuters he stepped down to explore new professional opportunities and have more time for his personal life. As an advisor, the executive will help with new initiatives, as well as with projects that he had been leading, he said, without providing further details.

Chief Executive Officer David Velez told Reuters in the same interview that the short-term strategy remains the same for Nubank, focused mostly on current markets Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.

"In the long term, in the next 10 to 20 years, we will certainly execute this thesis that this digital banking model is the best to bring banking services to 90% of the world's population," Velez said. "And this means an internationalization strategy".

Nubank, which has 135 million customers, also said it will create a CFO position for its main market Brazil, mirroring what it already does in its other markets. Lago used to hold the role for Brazil as well.

The appointment to this new role will be announced in due course, Nubank added.