Bank President states that Planalto’s guidance was to expand microcredit and reduce bureaucracy to boost the regional economy
The president of , he said that the institution has grown 40% in the last 2 years as a direct result of a mission assigned by the president (PT). According to him, the petista’s request was clear: expanding microcredit, reducing operational obstacles and making the money more quickly to the small entrepreneurs of the region.
Former governor of Pernambuco for 2 terms, Câmara declared to the Poder360 That the bank broke record of hiring in 2024, with R $ 61 billion in operations, and recorded the lowest default in history: 1.8%.
The microcredit portfolio, formed by the Credamigo and Agroamigo programs, today represents 1/3 of the institution’s operations. And this money, he says, would be promoting a change in the family hierarchy of money in the region, as 7 in 10 Credamigo beneficiaries are women.
“The bank has capillarity, goes from the small to the big one. But our main mission is to generate development with inclusion. And the results show that we are on the right track”He said.
Watch the interview (29m49s):
Chamber is 52 years old and chaired the bank since January 2023. Before, he was governor of Pernambuco for 2 terms and secretary of administration, tourism and state farm.
Now, as a market operator, he said that the bank is one of the main renewable energy financiers in the country, focusing on solar and wind power projects in the Northeast. And that this focus will be expanded. As well as investment in basic sanitation.
According to him, the BNB will continue to act regionally, but seeks to expand its funding capacity through partnerships with multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, the IDB and the NDB (Novo Development Bank, known as Banco dos Brics).
Read excerpts from the interview:
You turned 2 ahead of Banco do Nordeste. What were the biggest challenges and main deliveries in this period?
We arrived with the mission given by President Lula to make the bank grow and make the credit more accessible, with less bureaucracy. The bank operates on several fronts: microcredit, small and medium enterprises, infrastructure, renewable energy, as well as strategic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, commerce and services – which are pillars of the northeastern economy.
We have the 2 largest microcredit programs in the country: Credamigo (Urban) and Agroamigo (Rural), with over 3 million customers. In these 2 years, the bank grew about 40%. We expand hiring and disbursements. Before, there was a recurring problem: the bank hired, but the money was not enough. We corrected it. We broke profit and operations records throughout the region. And in 2024 we reached the lowest default rate in history: 1.8%.
In an interview with Poder360Paulo Câmara said the bank’s default is at the lowest level of history: 1.8%
The bank has regional performance, but moves relevant figures. What was the volume hired in 2024?
Last year, the bank hired $ 61 billion – the highest value in history. We serve the 9 states of the Northeast and also the north of Minas and Espírito Santo. There are more than 2,000 municipalities.
These resources come from the constitutional fund, which allows you to offer credit with reduced and distributed rates according to clear guidelines. About 62% go to microcredit, micro and small businesses and small producers-until the size of breakfast, with revenues of up to R $ 16 million. The remaining 38% go to medium and large.
We funded from family farming to infrastructure, through tourism, industry and renewable energy. We have supported programs such as Nova Indústria Brasil, Believes and projects of the new PAC. The Northeast has grown more than Brazil in the last 2 years. The bank has direct participation in this result.
How much has invested in the energy transition in recent years?
We are today the main financing agent of solar and wind energy in the Northeast. And the focus is not only on the big projects. We have the FNE Sol line, aimed at the small entrepreneur or rural producer who wants to reduce the light bill with solar energy.
Our commitment to sustainability is central. The development we seek is economical but also social and environmental. We want to grow generating income, reducing inequality and protecting the environment.
The bank does not finance governments, but maintains dialogue with the states. How does this happen?
My experience as former governor allows me to better understand state demands. I have talked to all the governors of the region. They present their priorities, and we seek to support via partnerships.
Today, there is an alignment between the federal government and the subnational entities. The bank is integrated with actions of the new PAC, Nova Indústria Brasil and the CREDA program. We re -funded sanitation – about $ 5 billion in 2 years. In the previous government, there were only $ 400 million. This is an example of the change of posture.
What is the current size of the microcredit wallet?
In 2023, only with Credamigo, we released R $ 12 billion. The goal for 2024 is to reach $ 13 billion. In Agroamigo, it was another $ 8 billion. Together, these 2 programs represent almost a third of the bank’s wallet.
The average ticket is $ 3,000 and can reach $ 21,000. But the differential is not just money, it is the oriented credit. This explains low default and good results. Seven out of 10 Credamigo customers are women. We see a concrete transformation in their lives.
After beating record in 2024 with loans of R $ 61 billion, Câmara wants to increase the amount to more than R $ 70 billion by 2025
What is the default rate in microcredit?
It was 2% in 2023. This is the result of the methodology, which involves monitoring, guidance and focus on customer success. We don’t just want to lend: we want the customer to grow, pay and can access new credits. Banco do Nordeste is the largest microcredit operator in Brazil – possibly in the Americas.
Other public banks have expanded acting. What is the BNB strategy?
Our focus remains the Northeast. The constitutional fund has an increase of 18% and we want to grow 20%. Only with these resources, we hope to pay $ 48 billion this year. With other sources, we can exceed $ 70 billion.
We are dealing with the World Bank, the IDB, the Bank of Brics and look for new funds to expand our financing capacity. We also maintain constant dialogue with BNDES, Banco do Brasil, Caixa and Banco da Amazônia to avoid overlap and ensure complementarity.
President Lula is critical of the Selic rate. How does it affect the bank?
Banco do Nordeste has an advantage: the constitutional fund, which is made up of IR and IPI resources. With this, we were able to operate with interest between 8% and 10% per year – below Selic and close to inflation. This makes the bank very popular. Therefore, we have to be even more careful to ensure that credit reaches those who really need it. Because the demand comes from all sides.
The market has made criticism of the government. Do you see exaggerations?
Yes. President Lula is rebuilding the country. I was governor and I know what happened. There were many setbacks. Today we have increased growth, job creation, credit expansion. The economy is reacting. Criticism, in many cases, is not sustained by the results.
How do you project the next 2 years, with high inflation and international tension?
I see with optimism. The minister [Fernando] Haddad has been correct and transparent. Development policies are gaining capillarity and will show even more results. We will grow with responsibility, job creation, income and sustainability. Brazil has returned to predictability, step by step.
Do you intend to run for a position in 2026?
No. I am focused on the mission of presiding over Banco do Nordeste until 2026. I am proud to contribute to the development of the region. I was secretary, I was governor. I lived difficult times, such as the pandemic, and fulfilled my role. Now I want to complete this new cycle responsibly.
