Loans for working capital require planning in the 2nd semester

CURITIBA (PR) – Working capital management in the second half of 2026 has become a key strategic challenge for Brazilian small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). With the basic interest rate (Selic) maintained at high levels and inflation projections above the official target, the search for resources to maintain the operation, purchase inventory and pay suppliers requires anticipation from business leaders. Market analysts warn that failing to obtain resources in times of financial hardship could mean contracting emergency lines at substantially higher costs. According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) registered an increase of 0.07% in July 2026, keeping inflation accumulated over 12 months at 4.44%. Although it signals stability in relation to the peak of the period, the macroeconomic scenario still imposes obstacles to productive credit. A recent survey carried out by the Central Bank of Brazil with 25 financial institutions revealed that the supply of credit to micro, small and medium-sized companies was perceived as restrictive at the beginning of the year, with expectations that this tightening will continue in the coming quarters. Factors such as default, registration restrictions and lower risk tolerance continue to weigh on traditional banking analyses. In the long-term corporate financing environment, the Long Term Rate (TLP), used as a reference in operations by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), reached 8.21% per year, plus the variation in inflation in August 2026. The indicator represents the highest level in the historical series started in 2018, driven by fiscal uncertainties and pressure from the public bond market, which reinforces the high cost of conventional financing in the country. The impact of credit restrictions on business cash flow Working capital works as the financial buffer that guarantees the payment of salaries, fixed bills and replacement of goods. When the projected cash flow indicates a deficit for the following quarters, the lack of liquidity forces many entrepreneurs to use very short-term arrangements, such as overdraft limits or rolling over corporate card bills. According to data collected by Sebrae, around 67% of traditional credit requests made by small businesses are denied by conventional banking institutions, mainly due to bureaucratic requirements and lack of liquid guarantees. This bottleneck leads companies to resort to emergency lines with short terms and high interest rates, compromising the financial health of the business in the long term. Faced with stricter traditional credit and high spreads, the Paraná market has been looking for alternatives to restructure debts and raise funds at lower costs. One of the expanding routes is the conversion of corporate or personal real estate assets into liquidity for the company. Structuring secure guarantees such as Home Equity The type of loan with property guarantee, also known as Home Equity, has positioned itself as a financial planning alternative for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. By using a commercial or residential property as collateral for the operation, the borrower is able to reduce the financial institution's risk, obtaining longer repayment terms (which can reach 20 years) and competitive interest rates compared to unsecured personal or corporate lines of credit. Surveys of Banco Bari's B2C portfolio show that home equity has gained ground among entrepreneurs. In 2025, 16.38% of customers sought the modality to raise funds for working capital or invest in their own businesses. In 2026, entrepreneurs already represent 21% of the public looking for the product. The release of structured lines requires technical precision to safeguard the operation and guarantee the sustainability of the company's budget. The evaluation includes detailed legal analyzes and inspections of the assets offered. "The process includes a series of rigorous assessments, covering legal aspects, the client's income capacity and the analysis of the property itself. All these criteria are fundamental to guarantee the security of the operation for both parties, the client and the financial institution", explains Mateus Vargas Fogaça, a regulatory specialist at Bari. Bari's way of deciding: anticipation avoids the cost of emergency arrangements The gradual slowdown of the economy and the maintenance of the cost of money at high levels require small and medium-sized companies to avoid emergency fundraising. Cash flow planning based on accounts payable and receivable reports, identifying seasonality and indicators of recurring deficits, allows the manager to plan fundraising in advance. The search for credit lines structured with real guarantees, such as the property-guaranteed loan from Banco Bari, makes it possible to amortize more expensive short-term commitments, unify debts and ensure the operational breath necessary to get through the end of the 2026 fiscal year with financial balance.