In brief

The share of financial institutions naming fiscal risk as the biggest threat to stability rose from 27% in May to 34% in August, per the Central Bank's Financial Stability Survey released on September 3 and covered by CNN Brasil and Poder360.

The survey heard 117 institutions between July 2 and 28, before the 2027 budget was sent; default risk ranks second, per Poder360.

The result lands in the week gross debt reached 82.5% of GDP and the government presented a budget with a narrow surplus, two facts NEXO already published.

What we know

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  1. Verified fact · material

    In the Central Bank's Financial Stability Survey released on September 3, 2026, 34% of institutions name fiscal risk as the most important for stability, up from 27% in May.

    It measures the escalation of fiscal risk in banks' view.

    Sources[01][02]
  2. Verified fact · material

    The survey was conducted from July 2 to 28, 2026 with 117 institutions of the National Financial System.

    It sets the sample and the reference date.

    Sources[01][02]
  3. Verified fact

    Per Poder360, default risk is the second most cited by institutions.

    It completes the risk ranking.

    Sources[02]
  4. Verified fact

    The survey was answered before the 2027 budget was sent and before gross debt of 82.5% of GDP was released.

    It contextualizes the reference date against recent fiscal facts.

    Sources[01]

Transmission to assets

Market read-through

For the yield curveYield CurveMacroBrazil's market interest rates across maturities, reflected in government bonds, Tesouro Direto and DI futures.Open in the Market Map ↗, a third of banks with fiscal as their top fear sustains the premium on long NTN-Bs even with falling inflation.

For banks, fiscal risk and defaults at the top of the list suggest higher provisions and more selective credit in the second half.

Portfolio impact

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NTN-Bs longas e bancosnegative

Higher perceived fiscal risk raises the premium demanded on long bonds and the cost of credit.

Negative and gradual for the curve.

What would change the view: The read changes if the 2027 budget passes with a credible target or if gross debt stabilizes.

macro40% confidence

Direction is an explanatory hypothesis, not a forecast or recommendation.

Next signals

What to watch

  • The Central Bank's full Financial Stability Report and the Comef minutes.
  • Progress of the 2027 budget and August's primary result.

Limits of the reporting

What remains uncertain

  • Coverage does not give the share of other risks or the comparison with August 2025.

Full sources

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