Finances up to date: defaults among small businesses fall

Micro and small businesses recorded one of the lowest default rates in August since August 2022, when the Small Business Pulse survey series began. The 11th edition of the survey, conducted by Sebrae, indicates that 21% of small businesses have outstanding debts or loans.

The percentage is the second lowest recorded by the survey, close to the 20% identified in the August survey of last year. Pulso also indicated that the weight of debt has decreased in companies' monthly costs : 46% of small businesses reported that debt accounts for less than 30% of their monthly costs, an improvement of two percentage points compared to the previous survey, released in May, and five percentage points compared to the first survey in the series.

“Credit is inclusion for small businesses, it is the construction of dreams. The credit policy we are developing represents the opening of bank doors, which were previously closed to micro and small businesses. Small businesses have directly contributed to boosting job and income generation. This result is the fruit of a major effort by President Lula and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. Entrepreneurship has been revolutionizing and transforming realities throughout Brazil, generating opportunities and inclusion," says Sebrae President Décio Lima.

Credit

Among the entrepreneurs surveyed, 25% stated that they had sought a bank loan for their company in the last three months, the same percentage as in the survey released in May. Of this group, 44% said they had obtained the loan and 11% said they were waiting for a response, compared to 45% and 9%, respectively, recorded in May .

Décio Lima says that Sebrae works hard to expand access to credit, one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs. He points out that the institution has already provided over R$6 billion to micro and small businesses in more than 80,000 credit transactions over the last two years. "Credit is inclusion for the small economy and the building of dreams," he emphasized.

"We've already surpassed R$6 billion and will reach R$12 billion in credit for micro and small businesses by December. We must support those who generate the most jobs in the country."

Décio Lima, president of Sebrae

State of mind of entrepreneurs

The 11th edition of Pulso also sought to gauge the state of mind of business owners. Less than half (43%) said they were worried about the future. 28% of respondents said they felt relieved and hopeful for the future; 21% said they saw the positive side of the crisis, and 8% said they were enthusiastic about the future.

The survey was conducted online between August 18th and 31st, with the participation of 6,173 respondents across all states and the Federal District. Of these, 54% were MEI (Individual Microentrepreneurs), 38% were ME (Individual Microentrepreneurs), and 7% were EPP (Employees).