Euro zone business lending growth slowed to 2.8% in January
This represents the slowest pace since June 2025
Household lending remained stable at 3.0%
Data released by European Central Bank in Frankfurt
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European Central Bank data released in Frankfurt on Thursday, February 26, 2026, revealed that business lending growth in the Euro zone slowed to 2.8% in January, its lowest rate since June 2025, while household lending remained stable. The decline in business credit expansion followed a 3.0% growth rate in December, indicating a clear deceleration in lending activity to companies across the 20-nation currency bloc. Despite this slowdown, lending to households maintained its steady pace at 3.0% for the second consecutive month, suggesting diverging trends between corporate and consumer credit markets. The ECB's latest figures provide crucial insights into the current state of credit availability in Europe's economy, which could influence monetary policy decisions and business investment strategies in the coming months.
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Economic indicators, Banking sector, Euro zone economy
Frankfurt am Main, usually shortened to Frankfurt, is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 778,589 inhabitants as of 2025 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located in the foreland of the Taunus on its namesake Main, the city forms a continuous conurbation with Offe...
The euro area, commonly called the eurozone (EZ), is a currency union of 21 member states of the European Union (EU) that have adopted the euro (€) as their primary currency and sole legal tender, and have thus fully implemented Economic and Monetary Union policies.
The 21 eurozone members are:
Aus...
try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Nvidia, Salesforce earnings; U.S.-Iran nuclear talks - what’s moving markets Nvidia shares edge up as cash return questions remain despite revenue outlook beat Gold ticks up on softer dollar, markets eye US-Iran nuclear talks Nvidia’s results beat estimates, but Wall Street wants more cash return (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) Euro zone business lending growth slows, ECB data shows By Reuters Economy Published 02/26/2026, 04:26 AM Updated 02/26/2026, 04:30 AM Euro zone business lending growth slows, ECB data shows 0 FRANKFURT, Feb 26 - Bank lending to euro zone business slowed last month while credit to households stayed firm, European Central Bank data showed on Thursday. The growth rate of loans to companies decreased to 2.8% in January, its slowest pace since June 2025, from 3.0% in December. Lending to households stood at 3.0% in January, unchanged from the previous month.
