Bank lending activity in the Eurozone during the first quarter of 2026

Data from the Central Bank for the first quarter of 2026 reveals divergent trends in lending across sectors. New mortgage disbursements increased to 353.6 million euros, compared to 284.2 million in the same period of 2025. Conversely, large business loans over 1 million euros fell to 492.2 million euros from 730 million in 2025, while small business loans up to 1 million euros rose to 142.3 million from 120.3 million. Total new loans for the quarter reached approximately 1.1 billion euros, representing a 12% year-on-year decrease. Credit expansion for Eurozone residents reached a 5.5% annual growth rate in March 2026, up from 0.4% in March 2025. Sources attribute these figures to the economic climate shaped by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with expectations that growth may continue if conditions remain stable. Consumer loans remained relatively flat at 63.6 million euros versus 67.3 million last year. Some reporting sources cite a 24.5% increase in mortgage lending, while noting an overall 25% decline in business loans.