CPMI do INSS Blocks Vote on Bank Secrecy Breach for Master Bank and Allies of Lula and Bolsonaro in 2026

• What Happened in the CPMI do INSS Session?
• Why Was Master Bank Under Scrutiny?
• The Political Connections Under Investigation
• What Measures Did the Committee Approve?
• The Evangelical Church Controversy
• What Does This Mean for the Investigation?
• Frequently Asked Questions

In a surprising move, Brazil's parliamentary investigation into INSS (National Social Security Institute) fraud has halted votes on requests to lift banking secrecy for Master Bank and allies of both former President Jair Bolsonaro and current President Lula. The decision, made on February 6, 2026, reveals deep political divisions as both government and opposition lawmakers agreed to shelve these controversial measures. This development comes amid growing scrutiny of financial institutions and political figures tied to alleged pension fund irregularities.

What Happened in the CPMI do INSS Session?

The joint congressional committee (CPMI) investigating INSS fraud unexpectedly blocked multiple requests to breach financial secrecy laws during its February 6 session. Government-aligned and opposition lawmakers reached a morning agreement to remove these sensitive items from the agenda, avoiding what could have been explosive revelations about financial dealings connected to both current and former administrations.

The shelved requests targeted several high-profile entities and individuals:

• Master Bank and its former partner Augusto Lima
• Roberta Luchsinger, a friend of Lula's son Fábio Luís ("Lulinha")
• Former Bolsonaro Social Security Minister Onyx Lorenzoni and his son Pietro
• Retired STF justice Ricardo Lewandowski's son Enrique
• Former Bolsonaro minister José Carlos Oliveira and his daughter

Why Was Master Bank Under Scrutiny?

Federal Deputy Marcel van Hattem (Novo-RS) had filed three separate requests targeting Master Bank's operations. According to technical reports from INSS, the bank allegedly failed to provide over 250,000 documents verifying consigned credit contracts - a serious omission that potentially harmed pensioners.

Van Hattem argued that examining Master Bank's records WOULD help investigators understand the "operational dynamics" of its affiliated company Credcesta, which offers consigned benefit cards to public employees and retirees nationwide. The bank's Bahia-based operations, led by banker Daniel Vorcaro, have long been politically connected in the region where they pioneered payroll loan services.

The Political Connections Under Investigation

The blocked requests reveal a web of political and personal relationships under scrutiny:

• Lewandowski's son Enrique worked as a lawyer for an entity suspected of unauthorized pension deductions
• Lorenzoni's son Pietro provided legal services to Unibap, accused of improper pension withholdings
• Luchsinger's companies Elephant II Produções and RL Consultoria were targeted due to alleged money laundering connections

PT deputy Paulo Pimenta claimed there were "relevant indications" that Lorenzoni relaxed INSS rules during his tenure to facilitate questionable technical cooperation agreements with entities now under investigation.

What Measures Did the Committee Approve?

While blocking the banking secrecy requests, the CPMI did authorize several other actions:

• Preventive detention orders for four individuals tied to INSS fraud schemes
• Secrecy breaches for over a dozen companies
• Financial investigation into an evangelical church linked to the scandal

The committee approved examining records of the Evangelical Pentecostal Ministry Visão de Deus church after reports connected it to a partner of the Brazilian Retirees Association (AAB), one of the entities involved in improper pension deductions.

The Evangelical Church Controversy

The inclusion of religious institutions has caused particular controversy. Senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) first raised concerns about church involvement in January 2026, drawing sharp criticism from prominent pastor Silas Malafaia who demanded specific accusations. Damares later released a list of churches and pastors for investigation, including Adoração Church leader Héber Trigueiro who objected to being named before investigations concluded.

Interestingly, CPMI president Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG) himself belongs to the evangelical Igreja da Lagoinha, highlighting the delicate political and religious dynamics at play.

What Does This Mean for the Investigation?

The decision to block these banking secrecy requests suggests political forces may be limiting the investigation's scope. While the CPMI continues pursuing lower-profile targets, the protection of high-value financial records raises questions about how thoroughly investigators can examine potential wrongdoing at senior levels.

As the INSS fraud probe continues, all eyes remain on whether investigators will eventually gain access to these protected financial records or if political calculations will keep them sealed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CPMI do INSS investigating?

The parliamentary investigation committee is examining allegations of fraud involving unauthorized deductions from Brazilian pensioners' benefits through the National Social Security Institute.

Why was Master Bank targeted in the investigation?

Authorities suspect Master Bank failed to provide documentation for over 250,000 consigned credit contracts and may have been involved in questionable financial practices affecting retirees.

Which political figures are connected to the investigation?

The probe touches allies of both President Lula and former President Bolsonaro, including former ministers and family members of prominent political figures.

Why were the banking secrecy requests blocked?

Government and opposition lawmakers surprisingly united to remove these measures from the voting agenda, suggesting political considerations may be limiting the investigation's scope.

What actions did the committee approve instead?

The CPMI authorized detention orders for several individuals and approved investigating numerous companies and one evangelical church connected to the scandal.