TCU Relator Halts Central Bank Inspection, Sends Banco Master Case to Plenary

Overview

• Minister Jhonatan de Jesus suspended the in‑person review at the Central Bank and gave the bank’s appeal suspensive effect, citing the case’s public dimension and referring the matter to the TCU plenary with no date set during the court recess.
• TCU President Vital do Rêgo stated that any attempt to undo the liquidation would fall to the Supreme Federal Court, signaling that reversal through the TCU is off the table.
• The Central Bank argued an inspection of this scope requires a collegiate decision, while the relator defended his authority to order it but opted to defer to the plenary to stabilize the issue institutionally.
• The Federal Police continue probes into alleged fraud tied to Banco Master—estimated at R$12.2 billion to R$17 billion—and are examining reports of a paid influencer campaign, dubbed “Projeto DV,” to discredit the Central Bank and sway opinion.
• The political fallout widened as the MPTCU asked the TCU president to seek PF information on the investigations, market actors voiced concern, and a senator filed a representation alleging abuse of authority by the relator.