The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) published its latest survey on foreign currency lending to private households, reporting that the outstanding stock fell by 5.1% in the first quarter on an exchange rate-adjusted basis to EUR 5.75 billion, or 3.3% of all household loans in Austria. Since the FMA banned the granting of new foreign currency loans in autumn 2008, the exchange rate-adjusted outstanding volume has declined by EUR 43.5 billion (90%). At the peak in 2006, 32% of household loans were denominated in foreign currencies. Almost all remaining foreign currency loans are denominated in Swiss francs (98.7%), with the remainder almost exclusively in Japanese yen; the Swiss franc exchange rate was around 0.9531 CHF per EUR in the fourth quarter and has appreciated by 73% since the start of 2008. The FMA estimates that most remaining bullet foreign currency loans will mature between 2029 and 2033. Credit institutions must meet affected borrowers at least annually, and borrowers are urged to use these meetings to engage with their lender.
Austria Financial Market Authority 2025-06-23
Austrian Financial Market Authority survey finds foreign currency household loan stock falls to EUR 5.75 billion in Q1
The Austrian Financial Market Authority reported a 5.1% decline in foreign currency lending to private households in Q1, reducing the outstanding stock to EUR 5.75 billion, or 3.3% of all household loans. Since the 2008 ban on new foreign currency loans, the volume has decreased by 90%, with nearly all remaining loans in Swiss francs. The FMA anticipates most bullet loans will mature between 2029 and 2033, urging annual meetings between borrowers and lenders.