How SCFIs can align with PRSAC and the Central Bank’s ESG requirements

Update on September 30, 2026: the rules for the GRSAC Report (Social, Environmental and Climate Risks and Opportunities Report) have been overhauled: BCB Resolution 586/2026 and BCB Normative Instruction (IN) 772/2026, published on September 3, 2026, repeal BCB Resolution 139/2021 and BCB IN 153/2021 and take effect on January 1, 2027. The new GRSAC includes quantitative disclosure: S1 and S2 institutions make their first disclosure in 2028, with December 2027 data, and S3 institutions starting from the December 31, 2028 reference date. The timelines cited below reflect the proposals under consultation when this article was written. See the BCB SAC Guide.

Brazil’s credit, financing and investment companies (Sociedades de Crédito, Financiamento e Investimento, or SCFIs) are facing a new regulatory wave. The Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) has been stepping up its demands for transparency and social and environmental responsibility, making ESG a fundamental requirement for credibility, access to credit and compliance. It is no longer a trend: it is the rule of the game for anyone who wants to operate in the Brazilian financial system.

Two recent public consultations reinforced this direction: Public Consultation No. 101/2024, on the regulatory reorganization of SCFIs, and Public Consultation No. 100/2024, which proposed changes to the GRSAC Report, requiring clear metrics and indicators on social, environmental and climate risks.

PRSAC as a benchmark for sustainable governance #Link para esta seção

Although Consultation 101/24 does not explicitly mention ESG, it reflects the Central Bank’s tendency to value institutions with sound governance and responsibility practices. This movement is aligned with the Social, Environmental and Climate Responsibility Policy (PRSAC), established by CMN Resolution 4,945/2021 (CMN: National Monetary Council).

For SCFIs, the spirit of PRSAC translates into: preventing systemic social and environmental risks, adopting sustainable governance and acting with a long-term view.

ESG as a natural extension of KYC and KYP #Link para esta seção

The concept of KYC (Know Your Customer) and KYP (Know Your Partner) is evolving rapidly. It now goes beyond knowing the registration data: it requires understanding the ESG risks, the social and environmental impacts and the reputational history of each client, supplier or partner.

Integrating ESG into KYC/KYP includes: #Link para esta seção

• Assessment of social, environmental, climate and governance risks;
• Continuous monitoring of suppliers and clients;
• Reduced exposure to regulatory and reputational risks.

Public Consultation 100/2024: ESG on the BCB agenda #Link para esta seção

Public Consultation No. 100/2024, which closed in April 2025, marked a direct step forward in formalizing ESG in the financial system. The main changes proposed for the GRSAC Report included:

• Inclusion of metrics based on IFRS S1/S2 and BCBS;
• Disclosure of financed emissions (Scopes 1, 2 and 3), climate targets and exposure by sector;
• International standards of transparency and traceability.

These requirements were expected to start in January 2026, affecting SCFIs and other institutions regulated by the Central Bank.

How ESGreen supports SCFIs in this context #Link para esta seção

Solutions like ESGreen enable SCFIs to implement ESG compliance in an automated way, aligned with Central Bank requirements. Based on reliable data and sector materiality analysis, it is possible to:

• Build ESG criteria into KYC/KYP;
• Monitor social, environmental and reputational risks from multiple sources;
• Generate traceable reports, compatible with future BCB requirements;
• Prepare for supervision and regulatory developments with confidence.

Conclusion #Link para esta seção

For SCFIs, getting ahead of regulatory change is more than caution: it is a strategy to strengthen governance, expand access to funding and build reputation with clients and regulators.

Want to understand how to automate your SCFI’s compliance with Central Bank requirements? Request a demo with our specialist.