Mercado Pago Expands Credit Business in Brazil Despite Debt Concerns

Mercado Pago expands credit card business in Brazil despite central bank concerns over household debt.

TruthFoundry News Desk

Stands on 8 placed sources from 2 publishers.

As of 2026-09-01 20:49 UTC. Market figures are as the cited sources reported them at that time and may have moved since. This is news, not investment advice.

Mercado Pago, the fintech division of Latin American e-commerce giant MercadoLibre, stated its confidence in expanding its credit card business despite growing concerns from Brazil's central bank regarding household debt. ^[1] The Brazilian economy grew by 0.5% in the second quarter of 2026, a slowdown from the 1.1% growth recorded in the first quarter of the year. ^[2] Brazilian officials are closely monitoring the rapid increase in household debt, particularly regarding credit card balances and unsecured consumer loans where Mercado Pago has expanded aggressively. ^[3] During an event organized by the financial sector association Zetta, Ignacio Estivariz, vice president of Mercado Pago, told Reuters that the company's subscription models remain solid and its loan portfolio is in good health. ^[4] In the second quarter, Mercado Pago issued 2.6 million credit cards compared to 1.6 million the previous year. ^[5] A Nexus/BTG Pactual poll conducted between July 31 and August 2, 2026, showed President Lula da Silva with 46% of the vote intention against 45% for Flávio Bolsonaro. ^[6] The Brazilian Central Bank maintained the Selic interest rate at 14% to contain inflation, contributing to restrictive financial conditions. ^[7] The Instituto Brasileiro de Geografía y Estadística (IBGE) reported that household consumption fell by 0.4% and exports declined by 0.8% during the second quarter of 2026. ^[8]

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The Brazilian economy grew by 0.5% in the second quarter of 2026, a slowdown from the 1.1% growth recorded in the first quarter of the year. · La República.pePeru

Brazilian officials are closely monitoring the rapid increase in household debt, particularly regarding credit card balances and unsecured consumer loans where Mercado Pago has expanded aggressively. · El Economista

During an event organized by the financial sector association Zetta, Ignacio Estivariz, vice president of Mercado Pago, told Reuters that the company's subscription models remain solid and its loan portfolio is in good health. · El Economista

In the second quarter, Mercado Pago issued 2.6 million credit cards compared to 1.6 million the previous year. · El Economista

A Nexus/BTG Pactual poll conducted between July 31 and August 2, 2026, showed President Lula da Silva with 46% of the vote intention against 45% for Flávio Bolsonaro. · La República.pePeru

The Brazilian Central Bank maintained the Selic interest rate at 14% to contain inflation, contributing to restrictive financial conditions. · La República.pePeru

The Instituto Brasileiro de Geografía y Estadística (IBGE) reported that household consumption fell by 0.4% and exports declined by 0.8% during the second quarter of 2026. · La República.pePeru

The one we could place publishes from Peru. 1 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.

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