MEIs and small companies can now renegotiate bank debts through Desenrola. know how
To renegotiate, the MEI or small business owner must contact the bank where they have the debt to access special payment conditions. It is up to each financial institution that has joined the program to define its own differentiated conditions for debt renegotiation. But the expectation is that discounts can vary between 40% and 90% of the total amount of debts.
Sebrae’s Capitalization and Financial Services manager, Valdir Oliveira, states that Desenrola represents a new beginning for small Brazilian businesses — which have been suffering from debt resulting from high interest rates.
“Desenrola is coming to prepare these small businesses so that they can seek new credit opportunities, increase their production, their revenue and, with this, increase their (profit) margins. That’s why the first step needs to be very well planned. Having the Desenrola option with discount opportunities is essential to make a good cash adjustment. But financial planning now is essential so that this can work out over time.”
Gustavo Schuabb, from Brasilia, has worked as a MEI in the communications field since 2021. He says that for a few months he has been facing difficulties paying the monthly fees for Simples Nacional — the tax related to activity as a micro-entrepreneur. In order to avoid paying taxes and be entitled to social security benefits such as MEI, Gustavo chose to take out a bank loan.
“Because of this, I took out a loan from the bank using my CNPJ to be able to reduce this debt, because it is important in terms of contributions to the INSS. If I needed some time off, I would be covered in that situation.”
The financial situation became difficult for Gustavo due to the lack of work opportunities as a legal entity, which made him prioritize family accounts over company accounts.
“I have a 6-year-old son, I need to pay for his school fees every month. That’s a commitment I can’t miss. So, when you, as a PJ, don’t get a job, everything ends up getting tighter. And then you have to choose which debt you have to pay.”
For him, Desenrola Pequenos Negócios came at a good time to catch up on his accounts. “When this federal government program comes to renegotiate these debts, it gives some encouragement, because we can have a forecast of when this debt will be paid, using criteria that are a little more accessible. We can have a little more order in the house, eliminate debts and return to having a company that makes a profit. After all, those who are microentrepreneurs, have formalized themselves, want to make a profit, they don’t want to work just to pay off debt.”
According to Sebrae, the estimate is that the Desenrola Pequenos Negócios program will benefit more than 6.5 million businesses across the country.
Be careful when renegotiating
If the bank does not offer special renegotiation conditions, the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) advises that entrepreneurs carry out debt portability to a banking institution registered in the Desenrola program.
“The stimulus given by the federal government to banks will make them all interested (in the initiative), because it has a positive impact on their balance sheets. If you have a financial institution that is not yet registered, suggest and pressure your bank so that it can register and have access to this opportunity”, suggests Sebrae manager, Valdir Oliveira.
Febraban also warns that people should not accept proposals that request the sending of some advance amount — from anyone — in order to guarantee better conditions for paying the debt. Only after formalizing a contract can the entrepreneur have the amounts debited from the account on the pre-agreed dates.
According to Sebrae, financial planning is essential when renegotiating a debt. To this end, it provides, on the Conscious Credita calculator to assess the entrepreneur’s current financial situation, measure the size of the debt and understand the best conditions for taking out credit.
“Financial planning is essential. Therefore, access our portal sebrae.com.br/creditoconsciente It will make it easier for the entrepreneur to make an account to find out if what is being offered by the bank is of interest to the entrepreneur and if it is within the cost and revenue conditions he has. If it is not interesting, he can use the power of portability and negotiate with other banks.”
Conscious Credit: learn how to use the Sebrae tool that helps entrepreneurs obtain credit
Sebrae launches platform to help micro and small entrepreneurs seek credit consciously
By Brasil 61
