Brasília, 1/14/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The new president and board of directors of the Banco do Brasil will be announced within the next few days."We have good names and the announcement will be made shortly," says the Minister of Finance, Antonio Palocci.

It is reported that the most likely candidates for BB presidency are Edson Monteiro, presently a director of Brasilcap Capitalização, and Antonio Francisco Lima Neto, who is the commericial director at Banco do Brasil.

Palocci said the present bank structure seems to be adequate, especially in foreign affairs and agriculture. "If we can improve things, we will improve them," said Palocci. (AB)