According to a survey by the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban), check usage in Brazil fell by 18.2% in 2025 compared with 2024, with a total of 112.5 million checks cleared throughout the year. This represents a decline of 96.62% from 1995, when the historical series began, during which 3.3 billion checks were recorded.

Data from the Check Clearing System (Compe) shows a sustained downward trend in check use over recent decades, driven by the gradual adoption of digital payment methods such as online banking, mobile banking, and the Pix instant payment system launched in late 2020.

Despite the drop in volume, the total value of transactions conducted by check remains substantial. In 2025, bank transfers via checks reached 472.7 billion Brazilian reals, a decrease of 9.64% from 2024. The survey also noted a rise in the average value per check, from 3,800.67 reals in 2024 to 4,199.77 reals in 2025. This indicates that checks are increasingly used for high-value transfers, while routine small-value payments have shifted to digital methods.

Raphael Mielle, Director of Services and Security at Febraban, stated that the continuous decline in check usage reflects the growing penetration of digital payment solutions in Brazilians’ daily lives, especially the Pix instant transfer system. He noted, however, that checks still serve specific purposes, such as providing guarantees for purchases or large transactions, “for example, as a rental deposit.”

Historical figures show the decline has accelerated in recent years, particularly following the widespread adoption of electronic payments. For instance, 287.1 million checks were cleared in 2020, a figure that fell to 112.5 million by 2025. The banking sector expects this downward trend to continue, with checks playing an increasingly marginal role in Brazil’s financial payment system.