Fintech companies have gained prominence in offering credit in a simple, agile way and at low interest rates
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A third of businesses are seeking credit, particularly via fintech companies, to boost inventories on Black Friday and Christmas, highlighting the resilience of these platforms and their low interest rates.
We are already in the last quarter of the year and during this period the corporate credit market in Brazil is gaining additional momentum, especially with regard to small and medium-sized companies. This is because many of them accelerate the search for liquidity to replenish inventories and boost operations until the end of the financial year.
Studies indicate that this moment represents an important window for financial activity in the country, as companies have increasingly resorted to financing to take advantage of strategic dates, such as Black Friday and Christmas – crucial periods for closing the year with positive results.
According to M3 Lending figures, demand for financing from SMEs grew by 30% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the average of previous periods, at a pace that tends to be maintained throughout 2025.
To meet the high demand for resources, fintech companies have made significant progress, offering more flexible and less bureaucratic alternatives to companies that need quick responses when it comes to credit, as well as more competitive interest rates compared to many banks.
And the market numbers prove it. The Digital Credit Fintechs 2025 survey, conducted by PwC Brasil and the Brazilian Digital Credit Association (ABCD), shows a 68% increase in credit volume in Brazil in 2025. Member companies of the association reached R$35.5 billion, much higher than the previous year, which amounted to R$21.1 billion. Furthermore, the number of corporate clients served by fintechs increased by 67%, with a focus on small and micro businesses, which represent 71.7% of the corporate client base. An increase in presence was also observed among major companies, with the number of clients reaching around 800 with revenues exceeding R$ 300 million.
To give you an idea of this movement, M3 Lending alone, which operates credit for SMEs, issued more than R$20 million in 2024, focusing on working capital operations. It is expected to provide credit worth R$31 million by the end of this year, including R$10 million in the last quarter alone.
The CEO emphasizes the seasonal and strategic aspect of this period: “October is one of the most important months for medium-sized companies looking for working capital. They are preparing for a rise in consumption at the end of the year and need capital to store and maintain their cash flows well. Our role is to provide uncomplicated credit, in a fast and objective process, so that they can focus on operations and growth,” says Gabriel Souza César, CEO of M3 Lending.
At M3, it is possible to borrow up to R$ 500,000 at once. Unlike traditional banks, the money does not come from the bank itself, but from investors who invest their resources on the platform. Through the application, they analyze the available opportunities and choose the business in which they want to invest. After contributing, they start getting paid according to the premiums paid by the companies that received the credit. “Orders start from R$250 and are open to both individuals and legal entities,” the fintech explains.
This method is expected to grow further: although there are no specific forecasts for 2025, it is possible to observe trends that could influence the digital credit scenario in the coming year. Through its monetary policy report, the Brazilian Central Bank expects inflation to reach 3.6% by the end of 2026, which could indicate a more stable economic environment that supports credit growth.
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