Business · Economy · 5 hrs ago
Brazilian families and businesses paid R$674 billion in interest in first half
Brazilian families and businesses paid R$674 billion in interest in the first half of 2026, 7.4% more than in the same period of 2025.
Families accounted for R$515.4 billion, while companies paid R$158.6 billion.
Household interest costs rose almost 10%, as the weighted nominal interest rate increased from 24.3% to 25.3%.
Even with pricier credit, the balance of freely available loans to individuals grew 6.1% to R$2.353 trillion, and new lending rose 5.1%.
Late payments of more than 90 days reached 7.37% of consumers, worsening by 1.78 percentage points.
FecomercioSP said 3.4 million households had debts, the highest level since 2022.
For companies, interest spending stayed almost level even as credit operations fell, because new loans became more expensive.
Brazilian families and businesses paid R$674 billion in interest in the first half of 2026, up 7.4% from the same period in 2025.
Families accounted for R$515.4 billion of the total, while businesses paid R$158.6 billion.
The weighted nominal interest rate rose from 24.3% to 25.3%, according to a survey by FecomercioSP.
More consumers fell behind on payments, with debts over 90 days late affecting 7.37% of consumers.
FecomercioSP said 3.4 million households had debts, the highest level since 2022.
- Who
- Brazilian families and businesses paid the interest. FecomercioSP conducted the survey.
- What
- They paid a combined R$674 billion in interest, up 7.4% year on year.
- When
- In the first half of 2026, compared with the first half of 2025.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Credit became more expensive. For businesses, higher costs on new credit kept interest spending elevated despite a decline in credit operations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Families and businesses paid R$674 billion in interest, 7.4% more than in the first half of 2025.
CNN Brasil published the survey findings.
- Total interest paid
- R$674 billion
- Families' interest payments
- R$515.4 billion
- Businesses' interest payments
- R$158.6 billion
- Year-on-year increase
- 7.4%
- Consumers with payments over 90 days late
- 7.37%
- Households with debts
- 3.4 million
What people are saying
In just two years, there has been a significant deterioration in the ability to pay. [...] Households with debt remain at a high level.