Brasília, 1/6/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Banco do Brasil closed out 2003 with 18.7 million customers (individuals or corporations), an increase of 21.5%, compared to 2002.

The jump in the institution's customers is seen mainly as due to a rise in services provided to low-income individuals and small businesses.

As for 2004, Edson Monteiro, a vice president, says that the greater number of customers will mean an economy of scale. The Banco do Brasil opened accounts for a total of 580,000 retirees and pensioners in December. That shows that the bank believes that 2004 will be a year of economic growth, says Monteiro. (AB)