Over 500 experts gathered in São Paulo to discuss how AI, predictive models, and alternative data are turning credit into a growth engine for Brazilian businesses.
SPC Brasil hosted the SPC Summit 2026 on March 26, at Casa Petra in São Paulo. Under the theme “Turning Risks into Opportunities in the Credit and Recovery Journey,” the event brought together executives, economists, and specialists from multiple industries to address the future of credit amid rising delinquency, high interest rates, and rapid digital transformation.
A challenging economic backdrop
Economist Pablo Spyer, partner at XP Inc. and CEO of Vai Tourinho S.A., opened the event with a sobering economic outlook for 2026. Geopolitical tensions, commodity price volatility, and uncertainty in global monetary policy are shaping a demanding year for financial markets and businesses alike.
The main risk today is the combination of high interest rates and global inflationary pressures, which could limit economic growth.
Pablo Spyer, partner at XP Inc. and CEO of Vai Tourinho S.A.
The scenario underscores the need for greater precision in credit granting, particularly given the high household debt levels across Brazil.
Credit as a business strategy
Throughout the panels, speakers made clear that credit has evolved from a simple financial operation into a strategic lever for growth, loyalty, and customer relationship management. Representatives from Ceape, Lojas Koerich, and Armazém Paraíba shared practical insights on how this shift plays out in retail and consumer finance.
Credit is not just about granting. It is about relationship.
Francimari Oliveira, Ceape
Estefânia Nascimento from Armazém Paraíba reinforced that credit is directly tied to trust and loyalty, especially in installment-based retail models that build lasting consumer relationships. In practice, credit can follow the customer from acquisition through active portfolio management.
Predictive models and alternative data
One of the event’s most technical panels brought together representatives from BTG Empresas, Jeitto, and Berlanda to discuss the advancement of predictive models, artificial intelligence, and alternative data in credit management. The shared conclusion: the challenge is no longer a lack of data, but the ability to organize and convert it into strategic decisions.
Alternative data — including consumer behavior, digital interaction, geolocation, and regional economic factors — broadens risk assessment and enables more precise analysis. Despite the sophistication of analytical models, specialists emphasized that the human factor remains relevant, particularly in contexts where close client relationships influence decisions.
Personalization reinvents debt collection
Personalized collection strategies took center stage in a panel featuring representatives from Nova Era, Crisdu, and Grupo Muffato. The debate highlighted that effective recovery requires far more than assessing debt status — it demands understanding the debtor’s profile and current circumstances.
The main mistake of traditional debt collection is treating different clients the same way. Today, understanding customer behavior is far more relevant than just looking at the debt.
Fernando de Ornelas Grillo, Grupo Muffato and Zonta
Personalization not only increases operational efficiency but also reduces friction and strengthens the customer relationship — expanding recovery opportunities throughout the journey.
Speed vs. risk: the instant credit dilemma
As demand for instant credit grows, companies must balance speed with operational security. Bruno Lozi, Founder & CEO of Credits, pointed out that collection analysis has shifted toward behavioral data and probability-based assessments rather than static debt profiles.
The faster the credit, the greater the risk. The challenge is finding the balance between speed and security.
Pedro Barbosa, Alvo
The panel also featured Fabrício Rocha (Banco do Nordeste) and Lúcio Araújo Lustosa Vieira (Flávios Calçados), who addressed the practical challenges of scaling credit granting without sacrificing decision quality.
AI redefines retail decisions
Retail specialist Alberto Serrentino closed the SPC Summit 2026 with a structural view of AI’s impact on the sector. In his analysis, companies will need to balance short-term decisions with long-term strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly shifting landscape.
AI accelerates transformation and completely changes the level and speed of decisions in retail.
Alberto Serrentino, retail specialist
Serrentino also highlighted the evolution of retail toward business ecosystem models, where services, products, and partners integrate into customer-centric, data-driven platforms. Physical channels remain relevant, as long as they are integrated into digital strategies.
Event Info
- Event: SPC Summit 2026
- Theme: Turning Risks into Opportunities in the Credit and Recovery Journey
- Date: March 26, 2026
- Venue: Casa Petra – Av. Aratãs, 1010, Moema, São Paulo, Brazil
- Organizer: SPC Brasil
- Website: https://www.spcbrasil.com.br
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