Comprising almost 10% of the Brazilian population, people with disabilities have a bank focused on their needs. Parabank, the world’s first digital bank focused on people with disabilities, is now launching credit and prepaid cards with a variety of benefits, including partnerships with rehabilitation clinics, a marketplace with products and services and access to investment services.
The objective is to provide accessible financial products and services that are designed to suit the purchasing and payment needs of consumers with a wide range of disabilities.
“A prosthesis, for example, is very expensive, and it is difficult for people with disabilities to obtain a loan for this purchase. Not everyone has finished their studies or works, and the lines of credit aimed at this consumer base are not sufficient. Our objective with Parabank is to develop accessible and inclusive financial solutions that really make a difference in people’s lives,” highlighted Gelson Junior, CEO of Parabank and two-time Paralympian.
Using Dock technology, the same used by large banks and fintechs, Parabank will function as a financial services hub to assist people with disabilities in accessing treatment. Among the services offered is the financing of prostheses for amputees, complex treatments, physiotherapy in high-quality clinics at affordable prices and financing for students pursuing higher education.
“The Brazilian financial system is robust, but very concentrated. People with disabilities are one of the groups that still lack assistance in terms of access to adequate financial resources, including credit. The more companies start to look at specific niches like this, the better we will serve the diverse audiences and expand financial inclusion. This is our mission, so it was inevitable that we embraced the chance to partner with Parabank,” said Dock CEO, Antonio Soares.
Looking to the Future
Parabank wants to continue to foster inclusion for people with disabilities in the broader Brazilian economy. The next step will be the launch of physical cards with Braille and tactile functionality, to improve access for people with visual impairments.
The company also intends to expand its service offerings to include people with other types of disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, who also require financial support to access rehabilitation or other specialized medical services.