SÃO PAULO – The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Nathan traveled to São Paulo, Brazil, where he announced the opening of DFC’s first office in Latin America and a new, nearly $470 million loan to help grow Brazilian small businesses.
“On the 200th anniversary of U.S.-Brazil relations, the U.S. is proud to announce the opening of DFC’s first Latin America regional office in São Paulo – a presence that will further advance our strong bilateral relationship for many more years to come,” said CEO Nathan. “DFC’s new office will help to expand our portfolio of investments in this critical economy.”
DFC’s new regional office, based in the U.S. Consulate in São Paulo, will focus on increasing DFC investments in the region and will advance the larger U.S. Government effort to support private-sector-led development in Brazil and across Latin America. The office will be led by DFC’s new Regional Managing Director in Brazil, Chantarella “Ella” DeBlois. She brings deep experience in structured finance, capital markets, and nature‐based solutions, and will help DFC to expand the U.S. Government’s capacity to identify potential projects in the region. The new office opening builds on DFC’s announcement that it intends to open an office in the Dominican Republic to help advance opportunities in critical sectors across the Caribbean. The Brazil office will expand DFC’s footprint in Latin America, opening new opportunities to grow DFC investments in critical sectors for the region.
CEO Nathan also announced a nearly $470 million loan to StoneCo Ltd. that will help small businesses overcome financing gaps in credit card receivable payments. The facility will unlock short-term working capital for businesses to grow – especially businesses led by women and those in low-income communities across the country.
These announcements demonstrate the investment potential DFC sees in Brazil and throughout the region. DFC is committed to fostering more transactions in Latin America that strengthen infrastructure, create jobs, grow small businesses, promote conservation, combat food insecurity, provide needed healthcare, and increase access to critical minerals.
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The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and small business and financial services. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.