Businessman Alexandre Correa, husband of presenter Ana Hickmann, opened an account with Caixa Econômica Federal and withdrew 99.6% of the special check limit of R$300,000 in just two days. Twentyone days after opening the account, I had already exceeded the entire R$200,000 limit on two credit cards, ostensibly to pay off debts. Correa only paid part of the interest and is being sued by the Federal Bank, which is charging him R$682,000.
Ana and Correa have been married for 25 years and are in a serious marital crisis. On the 11th, during an argument in the kitchen at home, Correa attacked Ana, pushing her against a wall and threatening to headbutt her. The Record presenter reported him to the police and they have been separated ever since.
Ana made it clear to her friends that the reason for the argument was financial. O TV news had access to conversations in which she claims Correa “destroyed the family’s assets” and thereby endangered the couple’s 10yearold son.
According to a petition submitted by Banco Safra at the end of October, the couple’s debts would amount to R$14.6 million. The actions reveal that Correa, who manages Ana’s brand and assets, has a history of making bank loans secured by real estate; this practice has been going on since the last decade.
Starting in 2021, during the pandemic, loans were granted more frequently, but it was only in June this year that the situation spiraled out of control. Currently, banks are demanding R$7.5 million in court for nonpayment of loans taken between September 2021 and June this year, but the couple owes much more.
Debt payoff card?
Caixa’s accusation is only directed against Alexandre Correa; it does not affect Ana Hickmann or her companies. This is an indicator of a lack of financial control due to exorbitant interest rates on credit cards and special checks.
The short period of 21 days in which all resources (R$500,000) were exhausted suggests that the account was opened with the aim of paying off debts.
Correa opened the Caixa account on September 30 last year. Four days later, using the overdraft limit, he made a TED (electronic transfer) of R$99,800. On October 5, he transferred another R$199,000. In November, he covered the account with R$22,000, just enough to pay off the interest on the R$298,800 debt. In December he deposited another R$28,000, which was completely absorbed by the month’s interest.
The businessman started 2023 with his overdraft limit exhausted and owed R$325,713. He hasn’t deposited a cent more into the account. In March the debt was already R$394,735.
Alexandre Correa received two cards from Caixa, one with a limit of R$185,000 and the other with a limit of R$15,000. Since the beginning, in just one day, October 11, 2022, you have used 97% of your limit with an electronic payment company, that is, you have used your credit card to pay off all or part of a debt. Ten days later he did the same with the R$15,000 card.
Correa paid some of the debt in November and December, but this year he defaulted on his obligations. In June, Caixa filed a lawsuit in federal court. On the 6th, the court declared the case closed due to lack of information and clarity from the bank. This does not mean the process is over, it will continue if Caixa appeals.
Alexandre Correa and Ana Hickmann were contacted through their advice and did not comment on their financial situation. Correa denied to UOL that the dispute was about debts amounting to millions. “No no no. This is normal businessman stuff. Please let’s not mess things up,” the businessman said.