1. Top Loan Types Brazilians Search for Most
Brazilian users often search for loan types tailored to their income status and usage scenarios. These are the most popular options with high Google search volumes:
- Standard Personal Loan (Empréstimo Pessoal): The most searched loan type, ideal for daily expenses like furniture shopping or travel. It’s usually unsecured, and top banks offer flexible terms. Banco PAN provides this loan with monthly interest rates starting at 1.78% (23.64% annually) and repayment periods up to 24 months. Banco do Brasil (BB) even lets borrowers delay the first installment for up to 180 days and skip 1 - 2 installments every year.
- Payroll-Deducted Loan (Crédito Consignado): A favorite among salaried workers, retirees, and public servants. With repayments directly deducted from salaries or INSS pensions, it has lower interest rates. Sicoob and Cetelem stand out for INSS retirees, offering monthly rates as low as 1.27% and repayment terms up to 84 months. Itaú’s payroll loan is also popular, with rates around 1.5% - 3% monthly, 40% lower than regular personal loans.
- Secured Loan (Empréstimo com Garantia): Perfect for those needing larger amounts with lower interest. Banco Inter leads here, using assets like real estate as collateral, with monthly rates starting at 1.09% and extended repayment periods. Creditas is another go-to platform; its secured loans with property or car collateral have interest rates 30% - 40% lower than unsecured ones.
- Online Instant Loan (Empréstimo Online Rápido): In high demand for urgent cash needs. Fintechs like Nubank process applications in 5 minutes via their app, with average loan amounts around 3,000 Brazilian Reals. PicPay’s “flash loan” service allows users to get up to 80% of their fixed deposit amount instantly, though its annual interest rate is relatively high at 28% - 36%.
2. 2025 Latest Interest Rates & Repayment Details
Interest rates are a top concern for loan seekers. Here are the 2025 latest rates from major lenders, as Brazilian users often search for cost comparisons:
| Lender | Loan Type | Monthly Interest Rate | Repayment Period | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banco Inter | Secured Loan | 1.09% | Extended terms | Lowest secured loan rates |
| Sicoob | INSS Payroll Loan | 1.27% | Up to 84 months | Ideal for retirees and pensioners |
| Itaú | Standard Personal Loan | 1.70% | Up to 60 months | Long repayment periods |
| Banco PAN | Standard Personal Loan | 1.78% | Up to 24 months | Competitive rates for short-term loans |
| BTG Pactual | Standard Personal Loan | 2.64% | Varies | Reliable for middle - to large - amount loans A representative example: If you borrow 10,000 Brazilian Reals via Itaú’s standard personal loan with a 1.70% monthly rate and a 60 - month term, your monthly installment will be about 258 Reals, and the total repayment will be around 15,480 Reals. |
3. Eligibility Criteria & Required Documents
Lenders in Brazil have clear requirements, and these are frequently searched topics, especially for expats. The main criteria are:
- Basic Qualifications: You must be at least 18 years old. Expats need a valid residence permit covering the entire loan repayment period.
- Credit Score: A good SERASA SCORE is essential. Most lenders prefer a score above 600. You can check your score for free on the SERASA official website to avoid application rejection.
- Stable Income Proof: Salaried employees need to submit recent payslips and employment contracts. Freelancers or MEI (micro-entrepreneurs) should provide billing records or client contracts. Most lenders require a minimum monthly income to ensure repayment ability.
- Bank Account: A local bank account is mandatory for loan disbursement and automatic installment deductions. Major lenders like Itaú and BB accept accounts from all registered Brazilian banks.
4. Trusted Platforms to Find Authentic Loans
Brazilian users often search for reliable platforms to avoid scams. These verified options have high search volumes and good reputations:
- Finanzero: The most searched non-bank loan platform on Google in Brazil, with 3.5 million monthly visits. It aggregates loan offers from 72 financial institutions, enabling you to compare rates and terms easily. It has processed 40 million loan applications and facilitated 1.2 billion Reals in loan volume to date.
- Traditional Banks’ Official Channels: Itaú, Banco do Brasil, and Sicoob have user-friendly online platforms and apps. Itaú is great for payroll loans, while BB excels in flexible repayment terms. Their official websites and apps let you apply and track loans 100% online.
- Leading Fintech Apps: Nubank is popular for quick loan approvals and simple operations. Creditas specializes in secured loans with low rates. PicPay is convenient for users who already use its e-wallet service, allowing seamless loan applications within the app.
- Specialized Comparison Sites: Empréstimosim.com.br ranks first for the keyword “empréstimo” in Brazil, attracting 26,000 monthly visits from this keyword alone. It offers free loan calculators and detailed comparisons of different lenders’ rates.
5. Practical Tips to Avoid Risks
These tips address common concerns of Brazilian loan seekers and are highly searched for on Google:
- Compare the Total Effective Cost (CET): Don’t just focus on interest rates. Convert monthly rates to annual rates for comparison, and factor in fees like account opening fees and insurance fees. The CET reflects the real cost of the loan, and you can find this data on lender platforms.
- Avoid Pre-Payment Fees: Check if the lender allows free early repayment. Banco do Brasil and Itaú usually permit this, helping you save on interest. Steer clear of lenders that charge high penalties for early payoff.
- Protect Your Credit Score: Timely repayments are crucial for a good SERASA SCORE. Late payments can lower your score, making it harder to get loans in the future.
- Stay Alert to Scams: Legitimate lenders never charge upfront fees or “deposits”. Ignore unsolicited loan offers and only apply through official apps or websites of well-known institutions.
- By focusing on these high-search topics, you can find the right personal loan in Brazil efficiently. Always compare multiple offers and read the contract terms carefully to ensure a secure and cost-effective borrowing experience.