Caixa stated that it removed the product from its portfolio after completing technical studies.| Photo: Jonathan Campos/Gazeta do Povo

Caixa informed that it will definitively stop offering payroll loans to Bolsa Família beneficiaries, formerly known as Auxílio Brasil. In a note, the bank stated that the product will no longer be part of its portfolio after completion of studies in the technical area. “Caixa informs that the technical studies on Consignado Auxílio have been completed and that the bank has decided to withdraw the product from its portfolio. The credit line had been suspended since January 12 for review,” the institution said.

Still according to Caixa, for contracts already made, nothing changes. The payment of installments continues to be carried out automatically, through the discount on the benefit, directly by the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger (MDS). The payroll loan line with Bolsa Família values ​​as collateral was opened in September 2022 by the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and, since then, Caixa has accounted for almost all borrowings.

In January of this year, the bank’s new president, Rita Serrano, had announced that the granting of these loans by Caixa would be temporarily suspended for the review of beneficiary registrations and the publication of new rules. The modality was resumed by the federal government after the formulation of new rules, published on February 9th.

The text from the Ministry of Development, Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger sets at 5% the limit for discounting the benefit paid to beneficiary families of Bolsa Família or other federal income transfer programs, with a maximum of six monthly installments and successive. Also according to the ministry, the interest rate practiced by financial institutions will be up to 2.5% per month. Before the interest reached 3.45%.