Families registered in the Unified Registry for Social Programs of the Federal Government (CadÚnico) can obtain targeted productive microcredit, aimed at entrepreneurship, from Banco do Brasil. The financial institution has joined the “Believe in the First Step” Program.
The agreement with the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger (MDS) was signed on Wednesday (10), in Brasília. Banco do Brasil intends to expand the offer of microcredit oriented to the entire national territory, with a special focus on the South and Southeast regions, where the program still had less presence.
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In November, before Banco do Brasil formally joined the program, around 1,000 people in the Federal District received targeted productive microcredit from the institution on an experimental basis.
According to the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger, the “Believe in the First Step” Program mobilized approximately R$ 13 billion. One of the pillars of the program, launched last year , “Believe in the First Step” was established by Law 14.995, of October 2024 .
Results
In the area of promoting entrepreneurship, the “Believe in the First Step” Program has already accounted for more than 190,000 guided credit operations in one year, totaling R$ 1.7 billion disbursed to families registered in the Unified Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico). Of this total, 68% of the resources were allocated to women, the priority target group of the policy. The default rate is only 0.36%.
To ensure the security of operations, the MDS (Ministry of Social Development) structured the Operations Guarantee Fund (FGO). According to the ministry, the fund allows leveraging up to R$ 12 billion in credit for every R$ 1 billion in guarantees. The SIG Acredita system was also created, a national system that monitors all operations in real time.
In addition to microcredit, the program offers vocational training courses and support for entering the job market. More than 2 million people have already been trained, and beneficiaries of the Unified Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico) have achieved a record number of formal jobs.
Currently, financial institutions such as Banco do Nordeste and Banco da Amazônia participate in the program, in addition to Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal, which are gradually expanding their offerings. Large companies, such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Carrefour, have also joined, creating job opportunities and supporting small businesses.
Program
Who can participate : people between 16 and 65 years old with updated information in the Unified Registry.
Target audience : women, young people, people with disabilities, Black communities, and traditional populations (quilombola communities, riverside communities, among others).
What the program offers :
- Microcredit with low interest rates and expert guidance.
- vocational courses
- support for entering the job market or starting small businesses
Where to seek care :
- Sebrae Entrepreneurship Centers;
- Public banks such as Banco do Nordeste, Banco da Amazônia and Banco do Brasil;
- Credit cooperatives and partner development agencies.
Objective : To promote income generation, entrepreneurship, and productive inclusion for low-income families registered in the Unified Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico).
