Credit Growth and Financial Services Boost Small Businesses in Brazil in 2025
Brazil's small businesses and rural producers saw substantial credit growth in 2025, with increased financing and expanded financial services boosting access to credit and supporting economic development.
- • BRDE reported a 17% increase in credit for small businesses in 2025, with loan amounts rising from R$ 532 million to R$ 622 million.
- • Financing for rural producers surged 44%, from R$ 1.01 billion to R$ 1.46 billion, with agribusiness clients and financing growing significantly.
- • Boletos became the most used financial service among small businesses, growing from 27% in 2022 to 46% in 2025, with credit cards and bank loans also popular.
- • Programs like Acredita Sebrae and Fundo de Aval facilitated billions in credit, addressing barriers faced by small businesses seeking financing.
Key details
In 2025, Brazil witnessed significant credit growth for small businesses and rural producers, signaling strengthened financial support for these sectors. According to the Banco Regional de Desenvolvimento do Extremo Sul (BRDE), loans to small businesses increased by 17%, rising from R$ 532 million in 2024 to R$ 622 million in 2025. The number of loan operations for small businesses also nearly doubled, jumping from 1,047 to 1,934, highlighting expanding access to credit.
Rural producers experienced an even more striking credit expansion, with financing climbing from R$ 1.01 billion to R$ 1.46 billion—a 44% increase. The agribusiness sector's client base grew from 8,033 to 10,652, with total financing advancing to R$ 1.562 billion. In Paraná, a key region for BRDE, credit operations reached R$ 8.39 billion, contributing to the bank's overall portfolio of R$ 24.18 billion.
BRDE President Renê Garcia Júnior emphasized that these results reflect strategic adaptations to meet demand through a diversified portfolio of financial products. These include Meu Microcrédito for micro-entrepreneurs, Meu Negócio targeting small businesses, and Meu Agro focused on agricultural projects, all designed to enhance competitiveness and sustainability.
On the broader financial services front, a study by Sebrae and Ipespe found that boletos have surged as the preferred payment method among small businesses, growing from 27% usage in 2022 to 46% in 2025. Credit cards remain popular at 43%, while bank loans grew modestly from 35% to 39%. The Acredita Sebrae program is projected to reach R$ 12 billion in assisted credit during 2025, helping to overcome financing barriers caused by bureaucratic hurdles and guarantee requirements. Additionally, the Fundo de Aval às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (Fampe) facilitated R$ 1.6 billion in financing in the first five months alone, a 32% increase from the previous year.
Décio Lima, president of Sebrae, noted that 88% of small businesses still face challenges obtaining credit due to validation issues, highlighting the need for continued support. Lima also urged entrepreneurs to use credit responsibly to encourage growth rather than accruing debt.
Overall, these developments indicate a positive trend in credit availability and financial service adoption by small businesses in Brazil, underscoring ongoing efforts to foster economic inclusion and business expansion in 2025.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
