Banco do Brasil (BBAS3.SA), Latin America's largest bank by assets, cut its forecast for consumer lending growth this year after central bank measures restrained credit more than previously thought, Chief Executive Officer Aldemir Bendine said on Thursday The state-run bank sees lending for individuals rising 22 percent in 2011, down from a 25 percent estimate before, as higher reserve requirements put in place in December made it costlier for banks to offer vehicle loans and other types of credit. Brazilians who flocked to appliance stores and vehicle dealerships the past months are likely to demand less credit going forward, Bendine added. "Consumers are going to behave differently," Bendine told reporters.
Source
