ECB survey: Credit standards in the euro area are tightening

02/02/2023 / Press release

An ECB survey of 151 euro area banks shows a significant tightening of credit standards in the fourth quarter of 2022. Demand for credit has decreased among both enterprises and households. Rising interest rates and changing economic conditions are key reasons for this. The euro area bank lending survey (BLS) is conducted four times a year and is designed to improve the understanding of banks' lending policies in the euro area.

Details of the survey are available on the ECB's website.