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Santander in Brasil is a complete separate business than in the US.  I had an account there and it was not possible to use it in Brasil.  Eventually I just opened a new account here.  Keep in mind the requirements to open a bank account are much stricter here.  You must have a CPF and RNM permanent resident or resident ID to do so.  The CPF is required for all foreign cash exchanges.

@dalezuk With that being said, how does one pay for things prior to getting a bank account. Apartment, food, car etc? Plan on using Wise, but still need bank account. Any help is appreciated

Has anybody tried to transfer from one Santander to another abroad?
-@antonioggriffin

Santander USA, formerly Sovereign Bank NA , and Santander Brazil S/A are two separate entities. 

You are going to pay for your SWIFT fees just as if you used any other bank.

Might as well use other banks, as Santander Brazil is a very bureaucratic banking concern.  I had clients to get their funded real estate purchases through Santander, and they were a nightmare.

If you need to build a relationship with the local banks and need subsidized loans, then it is CAIXA.

if you need branches everywhere, and a solid balance sheet, it is Bradesco as #1, and Itau as #2.

For competitive loans, I would try SICOOB/ SICREDI which is the Parana's Coop Bank now expanding nationwide.