Bank lending to Eurozone households rose 3.1% year-on-year to €7.21 trillion in May 2026, up from 3.0% in April and exceeding market forecasts of 2.9%. Household credit demand grew at its fastest pace since February 2023, ahead of the European Central Bank’s first rate hike in three years, scheduled for June. Business lending increased 4.0% in May, the strongest growth in three years. Overall private sector credit, including households and non-financial corporations, expanded to 3.9%, the highest since March 2023, from 3.5% the previous month. source: European Central Bank

The value of loans In the Euro Area increased 3.10 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Euro Area averaged 3.35 percent from 2004 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 9.90 percent in March of 2006 and a record low of -0.40 percent in November of 2013. This page provides the latest reported value for - Euro Area Private Credit Growth - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Euro Area Household Credit Growth - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

The value of loans In the Euro Area increased 3.10 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Euro Area is expected to be 3.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Euro Area Household Credit Growth is projected to trend around 2.50 percent in 2027 and 2.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-01 08:00 AM
Loans to Households YoY
Apr 3% 3% 3% 3.0%
2026-06-29 08:00 AM
Loans to Households YoY
May 3.1% 3% 2.9% 3.0%
2026-07-27 08:00 AM
Loans to Households YoY
Jun 3.1% 3.2%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 6117260.00 6119940.00 EUR Million Jun 2026
Deposit Facility Rate 2.25 2.00 percent Jun 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 122147.00 121.29 USD Billion May 2026
ECB Interest Rate 2.40 2.15 percent Jun 2026
Marginal Lending Rate 2.65 2.40 percent Jun 2026
Loans to Households YoY 3.10 3.00 percent May 2026
Loans to Non-financial Corporations 5442180.00 5409221.00 EUR Million May 2026
Longer-Term Refinancing Operations 13.25 13.25 EUR Billion Jun 2026
Money Supply M1 11328083.00 11263477.00 EUR Million May 2026
Money Supply M2 16381796.00 16288727.00 EUR Million May 2026
Money Supply M3 17552244.00 17434826.00 EUR Million May 2026
Refinancing Operations 18.18 15.73 EUR Billion Jun 2026


Euro Area Household Credit Growth
In the Euro Area, loan growth refers to year over year change in loans to households adjusted for sales and securitisation.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.10 3.00 9.90 -0.40 2004 - 2026 percent Monthly
Current Prices, SA

News Stream
Eurozone Credit Growth Accelerates Ahead of ECB Rate Hike
Bank lending to Eurozone households rose 3.1% year-on-year to €7.21 trillion in May 2026, up from 3.0% in April and exceeding market forecasts of 2.9%. Household credit demand grew at its fastest pace since February 2023, ahead of the European Central Bank’s first rate hike in three years, scheduled for June. Business lending increased 4.0% in May, the strongest growth in three years. Overall private sector credit, including households and non-financial corporations, expanded to 3.9%, the highest since March 2023, from 3.5% the previous month.
2026-06-29
Euro Area Household Credit Growth Steady in April
Bank lending to households in the Eurozone rose 3% year-on-year to €7.194 trillion in April 2026, as expected. Lending to businesses increased to 3.4% in April from 3.2%. Combined, overall credit growth to the private sector, covering both households and non-financial corporations, stood at 3.5% in April, unchanged from the previous month.
2026-06-01
Eurozone Lending Growth Below Forecasts
Bank lending to households in the Eurozone rose 3% year-on-year to €7.189 trillion in March 2026, but slightly below market expectations of 3.1%. Credit demand continues to grow at the fastest pace since early 2023 supported by the European Central Bank’s recent policy easing. Lending to businesses increased to 3.2% in March from 3%. Combined, overall credit growth to the private sector, covering both households and non-financial corporations, increased to 3.5% from 3% in the previous month.
2026-04-29