Sicredi offers support and solutions for entrepreneurs

The proximity to the entrepreneur and the offer of credit aimed mainly at micro, small and medium-sized companies are among the pillars of Sicredi’s activity. In Ponta Grossa, where sectors such as services, transport, construction and industry live a period of expansion, the institution bets on the close relationship to understand the needs of the business and offer adequate solutions at every moment.

According to Gustavo Freitas, executive director of credit at Sicredi, this model allows managers to monitor the reality of companies more closely.

“With this closeness in Ponta Grossa and with a very active relationship, we have several super-capacitated managers within that day to day, ready to talk, show solutions, understand problems and needs and try to find what best fits and best fits for the current moment in different activities,” he says.

Sicredi concentrates credit on small and medium-sized businesses

The numbers help to scale this performance. In 2025, Sicredi’s credit portfolio for legal entities reached R$ 104 billion, 90% of which was directed to companies of up to medium size.

In the past year, more than R$ 10 billion were released through lines such as Pronampe, PEAC, FAMPE and BNDES funding aimed at the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Today, approximately 27% of Brazilian small businesses are associated with Sicredi, which represents about 400,000 small businesses served by the institution.

For Freitas, proximity allows us to better understand the reality of each entrepreneur.

“The entrepreneur who has Sicredi nearby can perhaps enjoy something that other institutions offer little, which is this very active dialogue, the way to understand what is that need, the solution of the moment and serve the associate in the best possible way,” he explains.

Ponta Grossa gains prominence in the economic scenario

Freitas also draws attention to the moment lived by Ponta Grossa and Campos Gerais.

“Ponta Grossa, for example, is an important region, with strong growth and a pungent service sector. Transportation, construction, we have a very large branch, the State of Paraná very well represented”, he emphasizes.

In this context, access to credit may represent working capital, purchase of equipment, modernization of structures or expansion of activities.

The work of the cooperatives also has reflections on the local economy. A study carried out by Sicredi in partnership with the Foundation Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas (Fipe) showed that municipalities with the presence of credit cooperativism presented, on average, higher GDP per capita 5.6%, 6.2% more formal jobs and 15.7% more commercial establishments.

The survey analyzed data from Brazilian municipalities between 1994 and 2017 and estimated an aggregate impact of more than R$ 48 billion, in addition to about 70,000 new companies and 278,000 jobs.

Credit drives the economy

Another survey published by Sicredi points out that, based on the results analyzed on cooperativism, each R$ 1 granted in credit was related to the generation of R$ 2.45 in GDP. The estimate also indicated that approximately R$ 35,800 in cooperative credit were associated with the creation of a job vacancy.

The figures reinforce Freitas’ assessment that the growth of the entrepreneur also moves the city.

“It is a serious institution, so we play a relevant role for cities, for regions and for the entrepreneur as well. If he grows, we grow together, the city grows together,” he says.

Sicredi exceeds 10 million members

The expansion also appears in the institution’s general numbers. In July 2026, Sicredi exceeded R$ 500 billion in assets, with more than 10.5 million members and 3,100 agencies spread over more than 2,100 Brazilian municipalities.

In more than 200 municipalities, Sicredi is currently the only financial institution with physical care for the population.

In 2025, the economic benefit generated to associates reached R$ 31.1 billion, a growth of 22% compared to the previous year. The value corresponded to an approximate average of R$ 3,100 per associate.

For Gustavo Freitas, the principle is to make the development of the institution go along with the growth of businesses and communities.

“This is how we can meet well this small entrepreneur who is struggling within the day to day to advance in his activity, to help the country grow. This is what we believe,” he added.

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