Brazil's Central Bank opens 140‑position hiring drive as autonomy debate intensifies

The Brazilian Central Bank (Banco Central) will launch a public concurso to fill 140 vacancies—120 for analysts and 20 for prosecutors—to address a staffing shortfall that grew after the Banco Master crisis. The authority had previously sought approval for 560 positions, including analysts, technicians and prosecutors, but only the 140 were authorized. Alongside the bank, the securities regulator CVM will receive about 50 new technical staff to boost its supervisory capacity.

The recruitment comes while a constitutional amendment (PEC 65) proposing full financial autonomy for the Central Bank is under debate. Proponents such as economists Luiz Fernando Figueiredo and José Júlio Senna argue the change would protect the bank from political and budgetary pressures, with Figueiredo stating, "I think the project is very important, I am very favorable". Critics, including Marcos Mendes and Bruno Carazza, warn the proposal could create distortions and suggest it be abandoned. The amendment, approved by the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee, awaits plenary vote.

Both the hiring plan and the autonomy proposal aim to strengthen the bank’s supervisory role amid growing complexities in the financial system, especially after the Master scandal.