Brasília, October 7, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Withdrawals from savings accounts in September amounted to R$ 1.239 billion, almost double the figure in August, when Brazilians withdrew R$ 629.2 million. The cumulative balance in savings accounts during the period was R$ 137.820 billion. These data come from the Central Bank (BC).

According to information from the BC, deposits in savings accounts in September amounted to R$ 45.980 billion, withdrawals came to R$ 47.219 billion, and credited interest summed R$ 1.159 billion. The BC evaluates that a transfer of funds is occurring from savings to other investment funds, considered to offer higher returns at the moment.

The overall cumulative balance comes to R$ 138.573 billion, when R$ 752.7 million worth of funds in tied savings accounts are added Of the total balance, R$ 110.9 billion were applied to the Brazilian Savings and Loan System (SBPE), linked to housing programs, and R$ 26.875 billion to rural savings (agricultural loans). (DAS)