Everybody knows the importance of an efficient financial market with efficient risk management and resource allocation and also with a great confidence level for the economy of any country (Rocca, 2001) The Brazilian stabilization plan, called Piano Real, which started in the middle of 1994, made it possible to control inflation in the Brazilian economy by mechanisms that allowed for a greater opening to foreign trade and increased the integration between the Brazilian financial system and international financial markets. Hence, the Piano Real provoked intense changes in our financial system. This article aims to offer a view on the Brazilian economic environment and show the most important events in the Brazilian financial and capital market after the advent of the monetary stabilization program, during the period between 1995 and2002. W observe the evolution of the main macroeconomic variables, the new structure of the financial system, the entrance of new international agents, the evolution of the capital market business and the behavior of public finances. Finally, we will demonstrate the qualitative improvements that occurred during the period and the need for important adjustments in public account management as well as in the increase of internal savings and, consequently, the level of investments in the Brazilian economy.
Financial system; Financial market; Capital market
