Brazil's BNDES launches online tool to compare SME loan options

The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has introduced an online platform that lists banks and financial institutions offering the BNDES Crédito Pequenas Empresas line. The site shows which institutions are currently operating the line, the number of loans approved in the past 30 working days, average final rates, and lets users download the data in open formats. It breaks down information by state, company size (micro, small, medium) and sector, helping firms identify active lenders and compare costs.

Analysts also highlight a large unmet demand for SME credit in Brazil—about R$ 2.5 trillion—attributed to information asymmetry. Generative AI models are being tested to analyze electronic invoice (duplicata) records, detect payment patterns and forecast future behavior, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional static credit scoring.