The Legislative Assembly of the Federal District approved, by 14 votes to 10 in two rounds, the bill authorizing the DF Government to capitalize the Bank of Brasília (BRB) with nine public properties and loans of up to R$ 6.6 billion. The measure aims to cover losses related to operations with Banco Master. The text now goes to Governor Ibaneis Rocha for sanction.
The session at the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District (CLDF), held on March 3, lasted nearly five hours and included all 24 district deputies. The bill, submitted by Governor Ibaneis Rocha (MDB), allows the DF Government (GDF) to recompose BRB's assets through contributions via sale, transfer, or creation of a real estate investment fund (FII) with nine public properties, valued at R$ 6.586 billion. These properties include eight urban lots from DF, Novacap, CEB, and Caesb assets, plus one developable plot from Terracap.
Additionally, the text authorizes loans of up to R$ 6.6 billion from the Credit Guarantor Fund (FGC) or other financial institutions. BRB must provision around R$ 8.8 billion to cover losses from acquiring fraudulent credit portfolios from Banco Master, as per the Central Bank's requirement of at least R$ 2.6 billion immediately. The deadline for a solution is March 31, with a shareholders' assembly scheduled for March 18 to approve a capital increase of up to R$ 8.86 billion.
The vote followed intense negotiations, including a nearly 12-hour meeting between BRB President Nelson Antônio de Souza and deputies on March 2. Souza warned that without approval, the bank could halt essential operations, such as server payments and social programs.
Seven amendments were approved, including quarterly reports on property alienations, creation of an FII as a closed condominium with DF as initial quotaholder, reversion of excess values to DF or Terracap, compensation to companies like CEB and Caesb, and allocation of 20% of resources to Iprev-DF.
The opposition, with seven deputies, and three from the government base voted against, criticizing the lack of detailed appraisals, risks to the Fiscal Responsibility Law (LRF), and environmental impacts on the plot. Fábio Felix (PSol) called the properties 'prime cuts,' while Chico Vigilante (PT) highlighted their importance for public agencies. Paula Belmonte (PSDB) displayed a replica blank check. The opposition plans to take legal action.
Proponents, like leader Hermeto (MDB), defended the measure to 'save BRB.' CLDF President Wellington Luiz (MDB) stated that the House debated extensively and decided what was best for the population. A technical study by CLDF recommended rejection due to legal and fiscal risks, but the bill passed through commissions quickly.
