Expansion of credit increases the purchasing power of families and should boost trade on Black Friday and Christmas, according to ANBC
- North and Center-West lead credit expansion in the country;
- Progress boosts families' purchasing power and stimulates regional trade
Credit for Brazilian families continues to grow and promises to boost consumption at the end of the year, a period marked by an increase in shopping and strong commercial activity. According to the National Association of Credit Bureaus (ANBC), the balance of credit to individuals is expected to grow by 9.3% in 2025, reflecting the strengthening of income and greater access to the financial system.
The movement is already translating into optimism among traders and consumers, especially with the arrival of Black Friday and the end-of-year festivities, when credit usually plays a decisive role in sales and regional income generation.
Among the regions, the North leads the way, with an increase of 8.4% in real terms between July 2024 and July 2025. The result shows the dynamism of the local economy and the entry of new consumers into the credit market. The Northeast comes next, with growth of 7.7%, driven by microcredit programs and the presence of public banks that strengthen financial inclusion.
From a broader perspective, credit has grown significantly since the period before the pandemic. Between July 2019 and July 2025, the volume of credit in the North region increased by 101.7% in real terms, while the Midwest saw an increase of 72%. The expansion reinforces the role of credit as an engine of development and signals good expectations for consumption in the coming months.
In the South, cooperatives continue to play a leading role. Present in 95% of the region's municipalities, the cooperative system has 24.6% of the adult population as members, the highest rate in the country. This structure has favored targeted credit, with personalized conditions that contribute to the sustainability of operations.
The Midwest also shows dynamism, with 11.1% of the population linked to cooperatives and a strong presence of rural producers and small businesses. The Northeast, on the other hand, stands out for the importance of public banks and microcredit, which expand the reach of productive and consumer credit (essential points for sustaining the flow of end-of-year purchases).
As credit grows, so do institutions' attention to families' payment behavior. ANBC stresses that taking care of defaults is fundamental to preserving consumers' financial health and guaranteeing the continuity of the expansion cycle. Close monitoring of the data and the use of qualified information have allowed for more preventive action, contributing to a more balanced and sustainable credit market.
“The increase in credit strengthens families” purchasing power and expands access to opportunities, especially at times of great economic movement, such as the end of the year," says Sfeir.
With the economy recovering and credit expanding, the outlook for regional retail and services is optimistic. Greater financial access boosts consumption, stimulates trade and strengthens local economies, creating a favorable environment for a year-end of positive results throughout the country.
