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Euro zone business lending growth slows, ECB data shows

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on February 26, 2026

1 min read

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Euro zone business lending growth slows, ECB data shows - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Tags:monetary policy interest rates

Quick Summary

ECB data show eurozone business lending slowed to 2.8% y/y in January 2026, the weakest since June 2025. Household credit was unchanged at 3.0%.

Euro zone Corporate Lending Growth Cools as ECB Data Signals Slowdown

Location: Frankfurt, Germany

ECB Data on Euro Zone Credit Conditions

FRANKFURT, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Bank lending to euro zone business slowed last month while credit to households stayed firm, European Central Bank data showed on Thursday.

Slowest Pace Since June 2025

Corporate Lending Slows to 2.8% in January

The growth rate of loans to companies decreased to 2.8% in January, its slowest pace since June 2025, from 3.0% in December.

Household Lending Holds at 3.0%

Lending to households stood at 3.0% in January, unchanged from the previous month.

Source and Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Alison Williams)

Key Takeaways

•Corporate loan growth slowed to 2.8% year-on-year in January 2026 from 3.0% in December.
•This was the slowest pace of business lending since June 2025.
•Household lending growth held steady at 3.0% year-on-year in January.
•Figures come from the ECB’s January 2026 monetary statistics released on Feb. 26, 2026.
•Data suggest firm household demand while business borrowing momentum cools.

Frequently Asked Questions about Euro zone business lending growth slows, ECB data shows

1What is the main topic?

ECB data indicate eurozone business lending growth eased to 2.8% in January 2026, while household lending remained steady at 3.0%, highlighting divergent credit dynamics.

2How did business lending change in January 2026?

Loans to non-financial corporations grew 2.8% year-on-year, down from 3.0% in December, marking the slowest pace since June 2025.

3What does this imply for households and policy?

Household lending held at 3.0%, suggesting stable consumer credit demand. The data inform ECB assessments of credit conditions alongside broader monetary indicators.

ECB Data on Euro Zone Credit Conditions

FRANKFURT, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Bank lending to euro zone business slowed last month while credit to households stayed firm, European Central Bank data showed on Thursday.

Slowest Pace Since June 2025

Corporate Lending Slows to 2.8% in January

The growth rate of loans to companies decreased to 2.8% in January, its slowest pace since June 2025, from 3.0% in December.

Household Lending Holds at 3.0%

Lending to households stood at 3.0% in January, unchanged from the previous month.

Source and Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Alison Williams)

Key Takeaways

•Corporate loan growth slowed to 2.8% year-on-year in January 2026 from 3.0% in December.

•This was the slowest pace of business lending since June 2025.

•Household lending growth held steady at 3.0% year-on-year in January.

•Figures come from the ECB’s January 2026 monetary statistics released on Feb. 26, 2026.

•Data suggest firm household demand while business borrowing momentum cools.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the main topic?

ECB data indicate eurozone business lending growth eased to 2.8% in January 2026, while household lending remained steady at 3.0%, highlighting divergent credit dynamics.

2How did business lending change in January 2026?

Loans to non-financial corporations grew 2.8% year-on-year, down from 3.0% in December, marking the slowest pace since June 2025.

3What does this imply for households and policy?

Household lending held at 3.0%, suggesting stable consumer credit demand. The data inform ECB assessments of credit conditions alongside broader monetary indicators.