The Bank of Greece published its Bank Lending Survey for the fourth quarter of 2024, showing that banks kept credit standards unchanged for both non-financial corporations and households, while demand increased for corporate loans and remained broadly stable for household lending. For loans to non-financial corporations, overall terms and conditions were also unchanged, although improved bank liquidity and a better general economic situation contributed to lower interest rates and narrower margins on average loans. Corporate loan demand rose, particularly for long-term loans, mainly reflecting financing needs from Special Purpose Vehicle Companies for inventories and working capital, while the share of rejected corporate loan applications was unchanged. For household lending, credit standards were unchanged; terms and conditions were unchanged for consumer credit and almost unchanged for housing loans, with non-interest rate charges decreasing. Demand for housing loans was almost unchanged and demand for consumer credit was unchanged, alongside an unchanged rejection rate for both categories. For the first quarter of 2025, banks expect corporate credit standards to remain unchanged and corporate loan demand to be almost unchanged overall, with higher demand for short-term loans. Housing credit standards are expected to remain almost unchanged and consumer credit standards unchanged, while housing loan demand is expected to increase and consumer credit demand to remain unchanged. The next Bank Lending Survey press release for Q1 2025 is scheduled for 15 April 2025.

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