In an environment of more expensive credit and stricter assessment criteria, Pedro Daniel Magalhães, an executive with experience in financial markets, structured credit, and corporate management, has observed an important shift in corporate behavior: borrowing funds is no longer simply a matter of availability and now requires greater attention to cost, maturity, and repayment capacity. This transformation helps explain why companies of different sizes are evaluating more carefully when and how to turn to financial markets.
Cost Has Become a Bigger Factor in the Decision
Companies becoming more selective does not necessarily mean they are less interested in credit. In many cases, it reflects a change in how borrowing decisions are evaluated. When interest rates rise, a transaction that seemed appropriate under previous conditions may put pressure on cash flow when projected over several months or years.
The impact is especially noticeable in credit lines intended for working capital and the financing of operating activities. In early 2026, the Central Bank of Brazil reported higher rates on products such as working capital loans with maturities exceeding 365 days. According to Pedro Magalhães, this environment reinforces the importance of aligning funding needs with a company’s actual cash generation rather than focusing solely on the amount of credit available.
This also changes the conversation between companies and financial institutions. Credit needs to make sense within financial planning, taking into account the expected return on the borrowed funds and the impact of payments on existing obligations. As a result, the decision is no longer simply about whether a company can obtain financing, but rather about the quality of the financial structure created to support it.
Not Every Type of Credit Is Suitable for Every Need
Another important consideration is distinguishing the purpose of the funds. Working capital, investment financing, receivables financing, and structured credit transactions address different needs. Choosing a financing option simply because it is available can create a mismatch between the debt maturity and the time required for the borrowed funds to generate returns.
In this context, Pedro Daniel Magalhães emphasizes the importance of treating capital structure as an integral part of corporate decision-making. The balance between equity and debt influences a company’s level of financial exposure and may affect its ability to withstand periods of weaker cash generation.
Maturity also deserves careful consideration. Short-term debt may be unsuitable for financing an investment that will not generate returns for several years. Likewise, extending the maturity of an obligation without evaluating its total cost may ease cash flow pressures in the present while significantly increasing future expenditures. The choice must take the company’s financial cycle into account.
Preparation Improves Negotiating Power
Well-organized companies can enter negotiations with a clearer understanding of their needs. Before seeking financing, it is important to project revenues and expenses, map existing debt, identify upcoming maturities, and calculate how much cash flow can be allocated to servicing the new obligation.
This preparation also makes it easier to compare proposals. The nominal interest rate, maturity, collateral requirements, additional costs, and payment terms should all be evaluated together. A transaction that initially appears inexpensive may become less attractive once other expenses are incorporated into the total cost.
According to Pedro Magalhães, greater selectivity in accessing credit can therefore be understood as part of more careful financial management. Rather than turning to financial markets only when an urgent need arises, companies can monitor their financial indicators in advance and identify periods of higher or lower capital requirements.
Credit Needs to Support the Company’s Strategy
Access to funding remains important for financing expansion, preserving liquidity, and sustaining operations. The difference lies in the level of planning required to prevent debt from becoming an additional source of financial pressure.
In this environment, credit is no longer an isolated decision made solely by the finance department. Instead, it must be aligned with investments, budgeting, growth, and risk management. A company may be able to find available funding, but the key question is whether that financing is being obtained on terms that are compatible with its repayment capacity and strategic objectives.
The current environment encourages a more discerning approach. With interest rates still elevated and significant differences among credit products, evaluating the need, cost, and maturity before borrowing can become an integral part of corporate strategy. For companies seeking to preserve their investment capacity, this discipline can be just as important as finding a source of financing.
