Sicoob leads in granting credit to micro and small businesses in partnership with Sebrae.
A financial cooperative facilitated 40% of the operations guaranteed by Fampe in 2024, strengthening access to credit for small businesses in Brazil.
247 - The Brazilian Financial Cooperative System (Sicoob) has established itself as the leading credit institution for micro and small businesses in the country. In 2024, the cooperative was responsible for almost 40% of the operations facilitated by the Micro and Small Business Support Fund (Fampe), guaranteeing access to financing for 45.625 businesses. In total, Sebrae facilitated almost R$ 3 billion in credit last year.
According to a survey by the Central Bank, Sicoob is the financial institution that grants the most credit to micro-enterprises, accounting for more than 12% of operations in this segment. In the last six years, the cooperative has registered a growth of 22%, exceeding the average of the eight largest banks in the country. To discuss this progress and the challenges of the sector, the president of the Sicoob Cooperative Center, Marco Aurélio Almada, participated, this Thursday (13), in the 1st Meeting of Leaders of the Sebrae System of 2025.
“Our obligation is not to maximize profits, but to improve the quality of life of the people we serve,” stated Almada, highlighting financial cooperativism as a model that balances sustainability and inclusion. The technical director of Sebrae Nacional, Bruno Quick, reinforced the synergy between the two institutions: “They are organizations committed to social and economic transformation and that work together to strengthen small businesses.”
Federal model and national impact
During the event, Almada detailed Sicoob's federative model, which allows each regional unit to maintain its identity and proximity to the territories, without relinquishing national strategic coordination. "The proposal is clear: to strengthen local uniqueness without losing the gains in scale, efficiency, and systemic cohesion," he explained.
This approach is reflected in Sicoob's structure, which operates through multiple layers of integration—corporate, financial, operational, technological, and image—connected by a systemic strategic plan that aligns national, regional, and local operations.
Financial inclusion and presence in the interior
The growth of financial cooperatives has expanded access to credit in regions historically underserved by the traditional banking system. Sicoob already has 8,5 million members and a network of 4,6 service units spread across 2.427 municipalities. In 43% of these locations, it is the only financial institution present.
The strength of the cooperative movement is reflected in the numbers. Currently, Sicoob has R$ 219 billion in total assets and R$ 88,7 billion in credit for legal entities, representing 41% of its loan portfolio. This growth is significant when compared to the last decade, when its share of national credit was only 0,35%.
Strategic partnerships and strengthening small businesses
According to Almada, Sicoob's expansion as the largest financial agent for micro and small businesses in the country is the result of a well-structured ecosystem and strategic alliances. "This wasn't built overnight. We created a sustainable model and rely on solid institutional partnerships, such as the one we have with Sebrae," he stated.
According to him, the collaboration between Sicoob and Sebrae stemmed from a mutual understanding: "You help build a more inclusive financial system, and we help create a better business environment for small businesses." This synergy has strengthened institutional frameworks and enabled the implementation of more accessible public policies.
“Sebrae and Sicoob are an essential part of this process, but we need to go even further. The greater the institutionalization, the greater the likelihood of success for micro and small businesses in Brazil,” Almada concluded.