Second phase of Desenrola renegotiates bank and consumer debts of up to R$5,000

The federal government launched, this Monday morning (9), the second phase of the Desenrola program, aimed at bank and consumer debts of up to R$5,000 for debtors with an income of up to two minimum wages (R$2,640). Debt renegotiation is carried out through a platform installed on the program’s website, which consumers with silver or other level accounts at Gov.br can access.

Until this report was updated, the Desenrola website was not yet active. The Ministry of Finance’s forecast was to go live by 12pm.

In this new phase of the program, Desenrola should benefit up to 32.5 million negative consumers with incomes of up to two minimum wages, which represents 98% of the contracts registered on the platform, totaling R$78.9 billion. However, if adherence is not sufficient, the individual debt limit can be increased to R$20,000, covering an amount of R$161.3 billion.

According to Minister Fernando Haddad, of Finance, of the 32.5 million Brazilians who should benefit from the new phase of the program, there are 11 million who do not fit the rules to have access to renegotiation with installments in up to 60 months. These, according to the minister, will be able to access loans externally to pay off debts in cash with institutions within the platform.

“If the person does not fit into this profile, they can take advantage of the discounts, but they are responsible for paying in installments. She can take out a bank loan or a loan from friends to pay off the debt if she does not fit the profile described,” said Haddad at a press conference in São Paulo.

According to the minister, the government’s biggest concern at this moment is Brazilians’ access to Gov.br without gold or silver certifications.

Although 42% of registered CPFs already reach these levels, there are another 44% in the bronze category, which “will have to be upgraded”, and 13% without any certification. “These are people who may be the most vulnerable and who need the program most,” said Haddad, asking that the service’s publicity work be reinforced.

Among the main debts that can be renegotiated in the new phase of Desenrola is interest on revolving credit cards, which are now limited to 100% of the debt value. “Desenrola will solve the revolving problem, discounts reach 96% on the platform, which shows that it is an abuse in relation to the interest rates charged on credit cards that can now be resolved by the National Monetary Council (CMN) within 90 days from the sanction”, explained the minister, highlighting that the legislation has already been sanctioned.

The minister also said he hopes that the end of the year will be “a little easier” for Brazilians with their debts resolved.

How the 2nd phase of Desenrola will work

After accessing the platform, the debtor will be able to choose a financial institution or company participating in the program to renegotiate the debt, select the number of installments and make the payment.

On the platform, creditors who offered discounts will be listed in ascending order of interest, from lowest to highest. During the auction stage, 654 companies submitted proposals, with an average discount of 83% on the original value of the debt, although in some cases the discount exceeded this percentage, depending on economic activity.

In total, the auctions totaled R$126 billion in discounts that are offered to Brazilians with negative credit protection services.

It is important that consumers are aware of the period of up to 20 days, from the start of the program, to request debt renegotiation. After this period, the opportunity passes to other debtors.

To check whether the debts are included in the program and check the discounts offered, it is necessary to have a gold or silver level account on the Gov.br Portal. This same account is necessary to formalize the renegotiation.

Debts can be paid in full or in up to 60 months, with interest of up to 1.99% per month. Those with debts not selected in the auction can negotiate directly with the creditor and obtain the discount offered, as long as they make payment in cash.

Fernando Haddad said that, although the platform is available for debtors to access and consult their debts, creditor companies will also get in touch to inform them of the possibility of renegotiation. However, he states that it is necessary to be aware of scams, and that debts will only be presented within Desenrola.

“The person has to recognize that debt. If she doesn’t want to, she can choose which debts she can renegotiate or not. She is not obliged to accept the entire package of debts. For example, out of four items, you can choose three and leave one that you don’t recognize. People will have to have [acesso] to Gov.br”, he stated.

The renegotiation platform for this phase of Desenrola was created by B3 (the São Paulo Stock Exchange) and has the capacity to receive up to two million simultaneous users.

In the first stage of Desenrola, which began in July and was aimed at Track 2, R$15.8 billion of 2.22 million contracts were renegotiated by the end of September. Only debts with financial institutions could be renegotiated at this stage, covering account holders with income of up to R$20,000 per month and debts of any amount.