Economia subterrânea movimentou R$ 578 bilhões em 2009, aponta estudo
22 de julho de 2010Presidente da República nomeia dois ministros para o STJ
28 de julho de 2010For the third time this year, the Monetary Policy Committee (Copom), at the Central Bank, has raised Brazil’s basic interest rate. (“Selic”). The Selic began 2010 at a historical low of 8.75%, but with reports of GDP growth surging to as much as 9%, Copom moved swiftly and raised the country’s benchmark interest rate twice by 0.75 percentage points at two consecutive meetings to 10.25% (Copom’s meetings take place every 45 days). The decision yesterday to increase the Selic, which was unanimous, only 0,50 percentage points, seems to indicate a slightly lower level of Central Bank anxiety.
Brazil now once again has the world’s highest interest rates – the real interest rate is above 5%. Most observers do not expect the latest increase to make any real difference in the lives of most Brazilians who already pay around 6.90% per month, or over 120% annually, for consumer credit and bank loans.
