Bradesco, a Latin American bank, has partnered with FICO to transform the delivery of rural credit through a digital platform called E-agro.
In its inaugural year, E-agro is said to have resulted in the disbursement of over BRL1bn ($183m) to more than 500,000 Brazilian farmers by utilising the advanced decision-making technology provided by FICO Platform.
Brazilian agribusiness is integral to global food supplies, contributing to the sustenance of approximately 10% of the global population. The digitalisation effort introduced through E-agro automates complex financial processes, making it easier for farmers to access credit without the need for physical visits to banks, said FICO.
The system handles credit evaluation, document checks, and fund disbursement entirely online. Small and medium-sized farmers benefit by obtaining faster approvals and tailored offers based on behavioral and agronomic data due to FICO’s decisioning capabilities.
E-agro agribusiness head Nadege Saad said: “Farmers play a very important role in Brazil’s economy, and technology is key to supporting their growth.
“With FICO, we’ve built a digital offering that makes credit more accessible, approvals faster, and sustainable practices more viable. This is more than a financial innovation; it’s also a social and environmental one.
“By linking better credit access to sustainable practices, we’re not only protecting natural resources — we’re improving livelihoods and strengthening rural communities.”
FICO’s approach is said to streamline the traditionally cumbersome process of accessing rural credit in Brazil. Farmers can utilise mobile or desktop platforms to check eligibility, submit documents, sign contracts, and receive immediate fund downloads once approved.
According to FICO, this online automation has reduced traditional lead times by 70% and decreased the number of required steps for credit qualification from dozens to just eight phases. It has also delivered the first entirely digital government-supported rural credit solution within the country.
FICO software president Nikhil Behl said: “Bradesco is bringing new thinking and technology to banking in agribusiness.
“By using advanced decisioning to empower farmers and protect the environment, they’re creating lasting economic and ecological value.”
