Euro zone credit growth remains brisk despite gloomy outlook
Bank lending to euro zone companies held steady, maintaining the sector’s biggest borrowing binge in over a decade, despite rising interest rates and a looming recession, European Central Bank data showed today.
Lending to businesses in the 19-country euro area expanded by 8.9% in October, unchanged on September when it rose to its highest rate since early 2009, fresh data showed.
Household credit growth meanwhile slowed to 4.2% from 4.4%.
The monthly flow of loans to companies, however, slowed sharply, to €24 billion from €36.6 billion a month earlier with the flow of short term loans coming to a standstill.
Growth in the M3 measure of money circulating in the euro zone, meanwhile slowed to 5.1% from 6.3%, coming well under expectations for 6.2% in a Reuters survey.
Article Source: Euro zone credit growth remains brisk despite gloomy outlook – RTE
