July 2026 euro area bank lending survey
According to the July 2026 bank lending survey (BLS), euro area banks reported a moderate net tightening of credit standards – banks’ internal guidelines or loan approval criteria – for loans or credit lines to enterprises in the second quarter of 2026 (net 7% of banks; Chart 1). Banks also reported a net tightening of credit standards for both loans to households for house purchase and consumer credit and other lending to households (net 9% and 12% respectively). For firms, the net tightening was lower than banks’ expectations in the previous round (19%). Perceived risks to the economic outlook and banks’ lower risk tolerance remained the main factors contributing to the tightening, as banks remain highly attentive to risks related to geopolitical and energy developments. Banks also reported a net tightening of credit standards for housing loans and consumer credit.
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ECB bank lending survey July 2026; backward-looking, no surprise.