> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# ECB bank lending survey shows business credit standards unchanged in Q3 2024 as housing loan demand rebounds
- URL: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/ecb-bank-lending-survey-shows-business-credit-standards-unchanged-in-q3-2024-as-housing-lo/
- Published: 2024-10-15T10:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-01T17:31:56.000Z
- Description: Euro area banks left standards on loans to firms unchanged for the first time after more than two years of tightening, while net demand for housing loans rose at the fastest pace since 2015.
- Author: TGB Editorial Team
- Tags: Central Banks, Europe, #archive

Euro area banks reported unchanged credit standards for loans to enterprises in the third quarter of 2024, ending more than two years of successive tightening, while demand for housing loans rebounded strongly, according to the European Central Bank's bank lending survey published on 15 October 2024.

The net percentage of banks tightening standards on loans or credit lines to firms was 0%, down from 3% in the second quarter and below the 5% banks had expected. The ECB said risk perceptions still had a small tightening effect. Banks expect a renewed, moderate net tightening of 4% in the fourth quarter.

#### HOUSING DEMAND AT HIGHEST SINCE 2015

Standards eased further for housing loans (net -3%), driven entirely by banks in France, but tightened further for consumer credit (net 6%). Terms and conditions eased strongly for housing loans and slightly for loans to firms, mainly through lower lending rates and margins on average loans, while consumer credit terms tightened moderately.

Net demand for loans from firms increased moderately (4%) for the first time since the third quarter of 2022, though it remained weak overall; the increase was mainly attributed to declining interest rates. Net demand for housing loans rose strongly (net percentage of banks of 39%), the highest since the second quarter of 2015, driven mainly by the general level of interest rates and housing market prospects. Demand for consumer credit increased by a net 8%. Banks expect housing loan demand to increase further in the fourth quarter (44%).

In ad hoc questions, banks reported that access to retail funding, money markets and debt securities improved moderately. They said the reduction in the ECB's monetary policy asset portfolio had a slightly negative impact on market financing conditions, the phase-out of TLTRO III had a neutral effect on lending conditions, and the impact of ECB interest rate decisions on net interest margins had turned negative. The survey of 156 banks was conducted between 6 and 23 September 2024.