In 1993, the Indio da Costa family acquired Banco Cruzeiro do Sul from the Pullman Group and, in December 1993, the Bank began operating in the consumer finance market by obtaining an authorization to offer paycheck deductible loans to employees of the Brazilian Army. Currently Banco Cruzeiro do Sul is party to 337 working agreements to offer paycheck deductible loans to government employees, retirees and pension beneficiaries throughout Brazil. In 2004, Banco Cruzeiro do Sul started its operations in the middle market segment, offering receivables-backed credit loans to suppliers of products and services to major Brazilian companies.