EXTRACREDI - Extremo Oeste Agência de Crédito

Supporting more micro and small entrepreneurs

Brazil

Extremo Oeste Agência de Crédito (EXTRACREDI) is a civil society institution (OSCIP) that finances some 2,500 micro and small businesses in the western part of Santa Catarina. Its head office is located in São Miguel do Oeste. It currently has seven offices (six branches plus the head office) in Santa Catarina and is looking to open two more.

Most small and micro entrepreneurs in Santa Catarina operate in the informal sector and have no access to the traditional financial system. Hence, they rely on organisations such as EXTRACREDI to provide loans and investments for their businesses.

Oikocredit is funding this organisation as it values EXTRACREDI's transparent practices and its focus on financial sustainability. The organisation works with many women entrepreneurs, who have a strong presence in the area where EXTRACREDI operates and are often the main family income providers.

This loan allows EXTRACREDI to offer more microcredit services by expanding its distribution network, reaching a greater number of micro and small entrepreneurs. The presence that it has in the western side of the state will enable it to reach more clients, through a range of products such as its popular Juro Zero (zero interest) programme, supported by BADESC (development bank of Santa Catarina state).