SAO PAULO, Aug 4 (Reuters) -

Brazilian payments company Stone said on Monday it

has secured 295 million reais ($53.4 million) in financing from

the Inter-American Development Bank's private investment arm to

expand credit offerings to small and mid-sized companies,

focusing on Brazil's remote Legal Amazon region.

Funds from IDB Invest will support the development of

businesses in the region, including by women. The area covers

nine states, most of which are among the poorest in Brazil, and

faces deforestation, illegal mining, land conflicts and

governance challenges.

The transaction, the first between Stone and the IDB, was

initiated before discussions about U.S. tariffs on Brazil, said

Diego Salgado, treasury officer at Stone in Brazil.

"This process began over a year ago, before the American

election and before the imposition of tariffs. The challenge of

a more multipolar world was not yet a significant concern," he

said.

The financing will "help us reach 'deep Brazil,' which is

the Brazil of those in need," said Carolina da Costa, Stone's

director of sustainability and impact.

Under the agreement, IDB Invest will also help Stone improve

its products by developing solutions specifically for women

entrepreneurs in remote areas such as the Amazon.