The Austrian Financial Market Authority published its latest survey on foreign currency lending to private households, showing outstanding volumes fell to EUR 6.13 billion at year-end 2024. The stock declined by 17% over 2024 (EUR 1.27 billion) and by 4.4% in the fourth quarter on an exchange rate-adjusted basis, leaving foreign currency loans at 3.5% of total household lending. Since the FMA banned new foreign currency loans in autumn 2008, the outstanding volume has fallen by EUR 43.2 billion, a 90% reduction on an exchange rate-adjusted basis. Almost all remaining foreign currency loans are denominated in Swiss francs (98.8%), with the remainder almost exclusively in Japanese yen; the Swiss franc exchange rate averaged around CHF 0.9412 per EUR in the fourth quarter and has appreciated by 71.6% since the start of 2008. The majority of remaining bullet foreign currency loans are expected to mature between 2029 and 2033, and credit institutions must meet affected borrowers at least annually.
Austria Financial Market Authority 2025-03-13
Austrian Financial Market Authority survey shows foreign currency household loans down to EUR 6.13 billion and 90% lower since the 2008 ban
The Austrian Financial Market Authority reported a 17% decline in foreign currency lending to private households in 2024, with outstanding volumes reduced to EUR 6.13 billion. Since the 2008 ban on new foreign currency loans, volumes have decreased by 90% on an exchange rate-adjusted basis. Nearly all remaining loans are in Swiss francs, with the currency appreciating 71.6% since 2008.