Eurozone Lending Rises Less than Expected

Bank lending to Eurozone households rose 3.1% year-on-year to €7.26 trillion in August 2026, the same as in July and missing market expectations of 3.2%. Business lending also slowed to 4.2% from 4.4%. Overall private-sector credit growth, covering households and non-financial corporations, accelerated to 4.3% from 4.1% in July, reaching its highest level since February 2023.

Bank lending to Eurozone households rose 3.1% year-on-year to €7.24 trillion in July 2026, accelerating from 3.0% in June and beating market expectations of 2.9%. Household credit demand grew at its fastest pace since February 2023. Business lending also strengthened, rising 4.4% in July, the fastest pace in three years. Overall private-sector credit growth, covering households and non-financial corporations, accelerated to 4.1% from 3.8% in June, reaching its highest level since February 2023.

Bank lending to Eurozone households rose 3% year-on-year to €7.22 trillion in June 2026, the same as in the previous month and below market forecasts of 3.1%. Business lending stood at 4.0% in June, unchanged from May. Overall private sector credit, including households and non-financial corporations, rose 3.9%.