Half of loan requests are to pay debts and start a business

In an economic scenario where indebtedness is a reality for many Brazilians, loan requests emerge as a lifeline. According to a report released by the personal credit fintech Simplic, half of these requests aim to settle accumulated debts, while 20% aim to undertake, to open a new business, a door of hope for those seeking financial alternatives.

These data echo the numbers from Serasa's Default Map, which indicate that 71 million Brazilians have restricted names, facing difficulties in obtaining credit or even conducting basic financial transactions. Simplic's executive director in Brazil, Rogério Cardozo, emphasizes that this reality directly impacts the financial planning of the population, driving the search for solutions that can contain indebtedness.

"With the average unemployment rate in Brazil on the rise, reaching 7.8% in the last quarter of the year, according to IBGE data, people continue to seek alternatives to supplement their income. Personal loans become an option not only to settle debts but also to foster entrepreneurship, creating new businesses as an additional source of revenue," highlights Cardozo.

The regional aspect of these requests also draws attention. The study indicates that 54% of the requests were made in the Southeast region, followed by the Northeast, with 17%, and the South, with 14% of the total. These numbers, according to experts, reflect not only population concentration but also the existing regional economic disparities in the country.

The facilitated access to personal loans is another factor driving this scenario. Even for those with financial restrictions, there is a possibility of acquiring credit, accompanied by information and guidance to avoid new debts. This democratization of access to credit is seen as a stimulus to entrepreneurship and to the warming of the economy.

Furthermore, the reduction of the Selic rate also plays a role in this context. Since August, the rate has been falling, reaching 11.75% per year in December. This translates into a reduction in loan rates for individuals and legal entities, encouraging consumption and promoting economic growth.