Brasília, 11/26/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - According to the Central Bank, the total volume of credit operations in October reached R$394.6 billion, an increase of 1% over September. The rise is seen as seasonal caused by an increase in demand as the holiday season approaches.

Loans made by the private sector rose to R$233.9 billion (59.3% of the total), confirming a consistent upward trend, while state-run financial institutions made R$160.7 billion in loans (40.7%). There was a strong demand for loans in the agricultural sector, up 3.9%, where there is a need to finance costs and product commercialization. (AB)