From January to September this year, the National Development Bank (BNDES) approved R$230 billion in direct or indirect credit operations, including loans made by other institutions, but guaranteed by the bank. The amount represents an increase of 39% compared to the same period last year. Micro, small and medium-sized companies accounted for 67% of this value, or R$155.1 billion, with R$91.3 billion in guarantees and R$63.7 billion in credit.
The institution released its operational and financial balance this Friday (14). The total credit portfolio with R$616 billion grew 12% compared to the third quarter of last year and reached the highest value in the last 9 years. Disbursements relating to these operations also grew 17%, reaching R$101.9 billion from January to September.
The Financial Director, Alexandre Abreu, highlighted the 50% increase in the amounts transferred to the industry, totaling R$27.3 billion and exceeding the R$24.9 billion contracted by agribusiness.
“Not long ago, we had agriculture larger than industry. This demonstrates our focus on the recovery of the country’s industry”, he highlighted.
Although industry stood out, all sectors saw an increase in both approvals and disbursements, with the exception of infrastructure, which saw a 10% drop in approvals and stability in disbursements.
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According to the president of BNDES, Aloísio Mercadante, the lower interest in new operations is explained, in part, by the effects of tariffs in the United States, which caused “a certain insecurity in relation to investments that were being made”.
Mercadante added, however, that a major announcement scheduled for next week will boost the annual balance.
“In infrastructure, unlike industry, agriculture and even commerce and services, the BNDES only works with projects of great magnitude. These are railways, highways, ports and airports, subways, etc. And we had a large project that was processed more slowly. It is already approved, being completed, but is in a secrecy phase due to market demands. We cannot anticipate, but it is a very large project that reverses this scenario” he added.
Profit
The bank also disclosed the profits made this year. While the recurring amount rose 14% compared to last year, reaching R$11.2 billion, net profit fell 9%, reaching R$17.2 billion.
According to the Financial Director, Alexandre Abreu, a large part of the drop is due to the dividends that the bank received as a Petrobras shareholder, 54% lower than last year. Even so, the bank’s president, Aloísio Mercadante, considered that the result was “extraordinary” considering this factor and the effects of the tariff.
The bank’s total assets continue on a growth trajectory, reaching R$905.8 billion in September, and approaching R$1 trillion, a level that BNDES has already reached in the past and that the institution’s current management hopes to reach again.
