Brazil banks allowed special World Cup hours

SAO PAULO, Brazil, May 18: Banks in Brazil can shorten their hours to give employees a chance to watch the national soccer team's World Cup games on television, the Central Bank said.

Banks and other financial institutions must open for at least four hours on match days, but can otherwise set their own schedule, the Central Bank said in a statement yesterday.

Under Brazilian regulations, banks must normally be open for at least five hours a day including from noon to 3 p.m.

Five-time World Champions Brazil, considered the favorites to win the championship, open their campaign in the World Cup finals in Germany against Croatia on June 13, then play Australia on June 18 and Japan on June 22.

The reigning champions are banking on reaching the final on July 9.

REUTERS