We are already in the last quarter of the year, a period when the corporate credit market in Brazil gains extra momentum, especially concerning small and medium-sized enterprises. This is because many of them accelerate their search for liquidity to replenish inventories and boost operations until the end of the fiscal year.
Studies show that this period is an important window of financial activity in the country, where companies have increasingly resorted to financing to take advantage of strategic dates such as Black Friday and Christmas—decisive periods for closing the year with positive results.
According to data from M3 Lending, the demand for financing by small and medium-sized enterprises grew 30% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the average of previous periods, a pace that is expected to continue throughout 2025.
To meet this high demand for resources, fintechs have been gaining ground by offering more agile and streamlined alternatives to companies that need quick responses when it comes to credit, in addition to more competitive interest rates compared to many banks.
Market figures confirm this. The 2025 Digital Credit Fintechs survey, conducted by PwC Brazil and the Brazilian Digital Credit Association (ABCD), shows a 68% increase in credit volume in Brazil in 2025. The companies that are part of the Association reached R$ 35.5 billion, considerably higher than the previous year, which was R$ 21.1 billion. Additionally, the number of corporate clients served by fintechs grew 67%, with a focus on micro and small enterprises, which represent 71.7% of the corporate client base. An increase in presence among larger companies was also observed, with about 800 clients with revenues exceeding R$ 300 million.
To illustrate this trend, M3 Lending alone, which operates in credit for small and medium-sized enterprises, disbursed over R$ 20 million in 2024, with a focus on working capital operations. The projection is to make R$ 31 million in credit available by the end of this year, with R$ 10 million allocated solely to the last quarter.”
The CEO emphasizes the seasonal and strategic aspect of the period: “October is one of the most decisive months for medium-sized enterprises seeking working capital. They are preparing for the year-end consumption surge and need capital to stock up and maintain healthy cash flow. Our role is to offer uncomplicated credit through a fast and objective process, so they can focus on operations and growth,” says Gabriel Sousa César, CEO of M3 Lending.
At M3, it is possible to borrow up to R$ 500,000 at once. Unlike a conventional bank, the funds do not come from the bank itself but from investors who allocate their resources on the platform. Through the application, they analyze available opportunities and choose which businesses they wish to invest in. Once the investment is made, they are remunerated based on the installments paid by the companies that received the credit. “Investments start at R$ 250 and are open to both individuals and legal entities,” explains the fintech.
This modality is expected to grow even further: although there are no specific projections for 2025, it is possible to observe trends that may influence the digital credit landscape in the coming year. The Central Bank of Brazil, through its Monetary Policy Report, projects inflation of 3.6% by the end of 2026, which may indicate a more stable economic environment conducive to credit growth.
With this outlook, M3 Lending projects reaching R$ 600 million in transactions by 2029. “With technology and an understanding of the purpose of the financing, we are able to offer better credit conditions to the client, up to 50% superior to those granted by traditional financial institutions,” states the company.
