Brasília, 28 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Financial system credit operations were up 0.3% in January, compared to December, reaching R$333.5 billion (US$139.5 billion), according to the Central Bank. Credit volume was up 4.6%, steady at 26.8% of GDP.

Loan interest rates rose 1 percentage point in January, reaching 61.24% annually, which meant that the average interest rate rose 10.6 percentage points over the last 12 months.

The volume of personal loans reached R$78.7 billion (US$32.9 billion) in January, up 1.7% compared to December. The total of personal loans rose 24.9% during the last 12 months. Personal loan interest rose 0.5% in January, reaching 84.73% annually. (AB)