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Introduction

The results reported in the October 2019 bank lending survey (BLS) relate to changes observed during the third quarter of 2019 and expectations for the fourth quarter of 2019. The survey was conducted between 13 and 30 September 2019. The response rate was 100%. In addition to results for the euro area as a whole, this report also contains results for the five largest euro area countries.^[1]

A number of ad hoc questions were included in the October 2019 survey. They address the impact of the situation in financial markets on banks’ access to retail and wholesale funding, the impact of the ECB’s asset purchase programme and the impact of the ECB’s negative deposit facility rate on their lending policies.

1 Overview of results

Credit standards eased slightly in the third quarter of 2019 for loans to enterprises and loans to households for house purchase, also supported by more favourable funding conditions. This was in spite of a continued tightening contribution of risk perceptions related to the economic outlook. Credit standards, instead, continued to tighten for consumer credit. Loan demand remained broadly stable for enterprises and continued to increase for housing loans and consumer credit.

Credit standards (i.e. banks’ internal guidelines or loan approval criteria) for loans to enterprises eased slightly in the third quarter of 2019 (net percentage of reporting banks of -2%, after 5% in the second quarter of 2019), while banks had expected them to remain unchanged in the previous survey round. Credit standards on loans to households for house purchase also slightly eased (net percentage of reporting banks of -2%, after -1% in the second quarter of 2019), in contrast to expectations that they would remain unchanged. Credit standards on consumer credit and other lending to households tightened further (3%, after 4% in the second quarter of 2019), instead of the net easing expected in the previous quarter (-4%). For the fourth quarter of 2019, banks expect credit standards to remain broadly unchanged for all loan categories.

The slight net easing of credit standards on loans to enterprises was driven by the impact of competition (mainly from other banks), whereas risk perceptions (related to a deterioration in the general economic and firm-specific situation) continued to exert pressure in the opposite direction. However, in contrast to the last round, banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet constraints and risk tolerance ceased to have a tightening contribution. Moving to other loan segments, credit standards for loans to households for house purchase eased and continued to be supported by the easing pressure from competition and, to a lesser extent, by lower risk perceptions. For consumer credit and other lending to households, there was also a significant weakening in the easing pressure coming from competition.

Banks’ overall terms and conditions (i.e. banks’ actual terms and conditions agreed in the loan contract) for new loans to enterprises continued to tighten. The tightening impact was driven entirely by margins on riskier non-financial corporation (NFC) loans (defined as the spread over relevant market reference rates), while there was an easing contribution from margins on average loans. There was also a tightening of banks’ overall terms and conditions for housing loans, driven mainly by margins on riskier loans and, to a lesser extent, margins on average loans. Terms and conditions for consumer credit remained broadly unchanged, where there was a reduction in average margins, while margins on riskier loans remained broadly stable.

The net percentage share of rejected loan applications increased across all loan categories, in particular for loans to enterprises.

Net demand for loans to enterprises remained broadly stable in the third quarter of 2019, in spite of an expected increase (net percentage of 1%, after 6% in the second quarter of 2019). Banks expect demand to remain broadly unchanged also in the fourth quarter of 2019 (net percentage of 1%). There was a net increase in demand for consumer credit (net percentage of 8%, up from 4%) and a more pronounced increase for housing loans (net percentage of 15%, down from 26%). For the fourth quarter of 2019, banks expect an increase in net demand for housing loans (20%) and for consumer credit (14%).

The increase in net demand for housing loans continued to be driven mainly by the low general level of interest rates and, to a lesser extent, by favourable housing market prospects. The increase in net demand for consumer credit and other lending to households is mainly explained by the general level of interest rates and consumer confidence, where these positive contributions both increased relative to the previous period.

Among the largest euro area countries, credit standards on loans to enterprises eased in Italy and the Netherlands, remained unchanged in Spain and slightly tightened in France and Germany in the third quarter of 2019 (see overview table). For housing loans, credit standards eased in Italy and the Netherlands, and remained unchanged in France, Germany and Spain. Net demand for loans to enterprises increased in France and Germany, while it declined in Italy, Spain and, to a lesser extent, the Netherlands in the third quarter of 2019. For housing loans, net demand increased in most large euro area countries, except for Spain where it notably decreased.

Overview table

Latest developments in BLS results in the largest euro area countries

Notes: The “Avg.” columns contain historical averages, which are calculated over the period since the beginning of the survey, excluding the most recent round. For France and the Netherlands, net percentages are weighted on the basis of outstanding loan amounts for individual banks in the respective national samples.

The October 2019 BLS also included a number of ad hoc questions. Regarding euro area banks’ access to wholesale funding, banks reported in net terms that access improved in the third quarter of 2019 for debt securities and to a small extent also for money markets and securitisation. As regards retail funding, banks indicated that it remained broadly unchanged for the third quarter of 2019.

With respect to the impact of the ECB’s asset purchase programme (APP), euro area BLS banks continued to report a positive impact of the APP on their liquidity position and on market financing conditions and a negative impact on their profitability over the past six months. In addition, the impact of the APP was mainly on housing loans over the past six months, where banks reported an easing impact on their credit terms and conditions and a positive impact on their lending volumes. Importantly, over the coming six months, banks expect a favourable impact on terms and conditions, and on loan volumes, with the exception of loan volumes for enterprises where they expect them to remain unchanged.

Euro area BLS banks reported that the ECB’s negative deposit facility rate (DFR) continued to contribute to an increase in lending volumes and a decrease in lending rates across all loan categories. Banks also indicated that the negative DFR has a negative impact on their net interest income.

Box 1
General notes

The bank lending survey (BLS) is addressed to senior loan officers at a representative sample of euro area banks. In the current survey round, 144 banks participated in the survey, representing all euro area countries and reflecting the characteristics of their respective national banking structures. The main purpose of the BLS is to enhance the Eurosystem’s knowledge of bank lending conditions in the euro area.^[2]

BLS questionnaire

The BLS questionnaire contains 22 standard questions on past and expected future developments: 18 backward-looking questions and four forward-looking questions. In addition, it contains one open-ended question. Those questions focus on developments in loans to euro area residents (i.e. domestic and euro area cross-border loans) and distinguish between three loan categories: loans or credit lines to enterprises; loans to households for house purchase; and consumer credit and other lending to households. For all three categories, questions are asked about the credit standards applied to the approval of loans, the terms and conditions of new loans, loan demand, the factors affecting loan supply and demand conditions, and the percentage of loan applications that are rejected. Survey questions are generally phrased in terms of changes over the past three months or expected changes over the next three months. Survey participants are asked to indicate in a qualitative way the strength of any tightening or easing or the strength of any decrease or increase, reporting changes using the following five-point scale: (1) tightened/decreased considerably, (2) tightened/decreased somewhat, (3) basically no change, (4) eased/increased somewhat or (5) eased/increased considerably.

In addition to the standard questions, the BLS questionnaire may contain ad hoc questions on specific topics of interest. Whereas the standard questions cover a three-month time period, the ad hoc questions tend to refer to changes over a longer time period (e.g. over the past and next six months).

Aggregation of banks’ replies to national and euro area BLS results

The responses of the individual banks participating in the BLS are aggregated in two steps. In the first step, the responses of individual banks are aggregated to form national results for euro area countries. And in the second step, those national BLS results are aggregated to form euro area BLS results.

In the first step, banks’ replies can be aggregated to form national BLS results by applying equal weights to all banks in the sample^[3] or, alternatively, by applying a weighting scheme based on outstanding loans to non-financial corporations and households for the individual banks in the respective national samples. Specifically, for France, Malta, the Netherlands and Slovakia, an explicit weighting scheme is applied.

In the second step, since the numbers of banks in the national samples differ considerably and do not always reflect those countries’ respective shares of lending to euro area non-financial corporations and households, the national survey results are aggregated to form euro area BLS results by applying a weighting scheme based on national shares of outstanding loans to euro area non-financial corporations and households.

BLS indicators

Responses to questions related to credit standards are analysed in this report by looking at the difference (the “net percentage”) between the percentage of banks reporting that credit standards applied in the approval of loans have been tightened and the percentage of banks reporting that they have been eased. For all questions, the net percentage is determined on the basis of all participating banks that have business in or exposure to the respective loan categories (i.e. they are all included in the denominator when calculating the net percentage). This means that banks that specialise in certain loan categories (e.g. banks that only grant loans to enterprises) are only included in the aggregation for those categories. All other participating banks are included in the aggregation of all questions, even if a bank replies that a question is “not applicable” (“NA”). This harmonised aggregation method was introduced by the Eurosystem in the April 2018 BLS. It has been applied to all euro area and national BLS results in the current BLS questionnaire, including backdata.^[4] The resulting revisions for the standard BLS questions have generally been small, but revisions for some ad hoc questions have been larger owing to a higher number of “not applicable” replies by banks.

A positive net percentage indicates that a larger proportion of banks have tightened credit standards (“net tightening”), whereas a negative net percentage indicates that a larger proportion of banks have eased credit standards (“net easing”).

Likewise, the term “net demand” refers to the difference between the percentage of banks reporting an increase in loan demand (i.e. an increase in bank loan financing needs) and the percentage of banks reporting a decline. Net demand will therefore be positive if a larger proportion of banks have reported an increase in loan demand, whereas negative net demand indicates that a larger proportion of banks have reported a decline in loan demand.

In the assessment of survey balances for the euro area, net percentages between -1 and +1 are generally referred to as “broadly unchanged”. For the country results, net percentage changes are reported in a factual manner, as differing sample sizes across countries mean that the answers of individual banks have differing impacts on the magnitude of net percentage changes.

In addition to the “net percentage” indicator, the ECB also publishes an alternative measure of banks’ responses to questions related to changes in credit standards and net demand. This measure is the weighted difference (“diffusion index”) between the percentage of banks reporting that credit standards have been tightened and the percentage of banks reporting that they have been eased. Likewise, as regards demand for loans, the diffusion index refers to the weighted difference between the percentage of banks reporting an increase in loan demand and the percentage of banks reporting a decline. The diffusion index is constructed in the following way: lenders who have answered “considerably” are given a weight (score of 1) twice as high as lenders having answered “somewhat” (score of 0.5). The interpretation of the diffusion indices follows the same logic as the interpretation of net percentages.

Detailed tables and charts based on the responses provided can be found in Annex 1 for the standard questions and Annex 2 for the ad hoc questions. In addition, BLS time series data are available on the ECB’s website via the Statistical Data Warehouse.

A copy of the questionnaire, a glossary of BLS terms and a BLS user guide with information on the BLS series keys can all be found at: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/ecb_surveys/bank_lending_survey/html/index.en.html

2 Developments in credit standards, terms and conditions, and net demand for loans in the euro area

2.1 Loans to enterprises

2.1.1 Credit standards eased slightly for loans to enterprises

Chart 1

Changes in credit standards applied to the approval of loans or credit lines to enterprises, and contributing factors

Notes: “Actual” values are changes that have occurred, while “expected” values are changes anticipated by banks. Net percentages are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages of banks responding “tightened considerably” and “tightened somewhat” and the sum of the percentages of banks responding “eased somewhat” and “eased considerably”. The net percentages for responses to questions related to contributing factors are defined as the difference between the percentage of banks reporting that the given factor contributed to a tightening and the percentage reporting that it contributed to an easing. “Cost of funds and balance sheet constraints” is the unweighted average of “costs related to capital position”, “access to market financing” and “liquidity position”; “risk perceptions” is the unweighted average of “general economic situation and outlook”, “industry or firm-specific situation and outlook/borrower’s creditworthiness” and “risk related to the collateral demanded”; “competition” is the unweighted average of “competition from other banks”, “competition from non-banks” and “competition from market financing”.

The slight net easing of credit standards on loans to enterprises was largely driven by the impact of competition (mainly from other banks), whereas risk perceptions, related to a deterioration in the general economic and firm-specific situation, continued to exert pressure in the opposite direction. However, in contrast to the previous round, banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet constraints and risk tolerance ceased to make a tightening contribution (see Chart 1 and Table 1).^[5]

Across the large euro area countries, credit standards on loans to enterprises eased in Italy and the Netherlands, remained unchanged in Spain and slightly tightened in France and Germany in the third quarter of 2019 (see overview table). Competitive pressure contributed to an easing of credit standards in all large countries except for Germany. By contrast, risk perceptions related to the general economic and firm-specific situation contributed to a tightening in most large countries, except for the Netherlands. Risk tolerance continued to have a tightening impact in France, but in contrast to the last round, risk tolerance ceased to have a tightening contribution in Italy, where it now has an easing contribution. Only banks in the Netherlands reported a tightening impact of banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet constraints.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2019, euro area banks foresee no change in credit standards for loans to enterprises.

Table 1

Factors contributing to the net easing of credit standards for loans or credit lines to enterprises

2.1.2 Terms and conditions for loans to enterprises tightened

In the third quarter of 2019, overall terms and conditions that banks apply when granting new loans or credit lines (i.e. the actual terms and conditions agreed in the loan contract) to enterprises continued to tighten (see Chart 2) after an extended period of easing. The tightening impact was driven entirely by margins on riskier NFC loans, whereas there was, in fact, a slight easing for margins on average loans. Collateral requirements remained broadly unchanged, while other credit terms and conditions eased slightly.

Chart 2

Changes in terms and conditions for loans or credit lines to enterprises

Notes: “Margins” are defined as the spread over a relevant market reference rate. “Other terms and conditions” is the unweighted average of “non-interest rate charges”, “size of the loan or credit line”, “loan covenants” and “maturity”.

Across the largest euro area countries, overall terms and conditions on new loans or credit lines to enterprises tightened only in France, while they remained unchanged in the other countries. For margins on average loans only Germany reported a tightening, while France reported an easing. For margins on riskier loans, France, Germany and Spain all reported a tightening. Following the tightening reported in the previous quarter, margins on riskier loans had a neutral impact in Italy. None of the components changed for the Netherlands in the third quarter of 2019.

Table 2

Changes in terms and conditions for loans or credit lines to enterprises

Regarding the factors contributing to changes in overall credit terms and conditions, banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet constraints and risk perceptions were the main drivers of the tightening, while competition continued to ease terms and conditions (see Table 3).

Across the largest euro area countries, competitive pressure contributed to easier credit terms and conditions in most countries, except Italy and the Netherlands, where they ceased to have an easing contribution. Risk perceptions had a tightening contribution in all countries except for the Netherlands. Cost of funds and balance sheet constraints had a tightening impact on terms and conditions in France, Germany and the Netherlands, while they were neutral in Italy and Spain.

Table 3

Factors contributing to the net tightening of overall terms and conditions for loans or credit lines to enterprises

Note: The net percentages for these questions relating to contributing factors are defined as the difference between the percentage of banks reporting that the given factor contributed to a tightening and the percentage reporting that it contributed to an easing.

2.1.3 Rejection rate for loans to enterprises continued to increase

The net percentage share of rejected loan applications (i.e. the difference between the sum of the percentages of banks reporting an increase and that of banks reporting a decline in the share of loan rejections) continued to increase for loans to euro area enterprises in the third quarter of 2019 (7%; see Chart 3).

Chart 3

Change in the share of rejected applications for loans to enterprises

Note: Share of loan rejections relative to the volume of all loan applications in that loan category.

Across the largest euro area countries, the net rejection rate increased in Germany and the Netherlands, while it remained unchanged in France, Italy and Spain.

2.1.4 Net demand for loans to enterprises remained broadly unchanged

Net demand for loans to enterprises remained broadly unchanged in the third quarter of 2019, in spite of expectations of an increase in the previous round (net percentage of 1%, after 6% in the second quarter of 2019; see Chart 4 and overview table). Demand slightly increased for loans to SMEs, but decreased for loans to large firms.

Across the large euro area countries, net demand for loans to enterprises increased in France and Germany, while it declined in Italy and Spain, and to a lesser extent in the Netherlands.

Chart 4

Changes in demand for loans or credit lines to enterprises, and contributing factors

Notes: “Actual” values are changes that have occurred, while “expected” values are changes anticipated by banks. Net percentages for the questions on demand for loans are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages of banks responding “increased considerably” and “increased somewhat” and the sum of the percentages of banks responding “decreased somewhat” and “decreased considerably”. The net percentages for responses to questions related to contributing factors are defined as the difference between the percentage of banks reporting that the given factor contributed to increasing demand and the percentage reporting that it contributed to decreasing demand. “Other financing needs” is the unweighted average of “mergers/acquisitions and corporate restructuring” and “debt refinancing/restructuring and renegotiation”; “use of alternative finance” is the unweighted average of “internal financing”, “loans from other banks”, “loans from non-banks”, “issuance/redemption of debt securities” and “issuance/redemption of equity”.

Demand for loans to enterprises was mainly supported by the low general level of interest rates and, to a lesser extent, other financing needs. There was a further reduction in the positive contribution of fixed investment. M&A activity also contributed to the growth in demand (this is included in “other financing needs”; see Chart 4 and Table 4). By contrast, inventories and the recourse to working capital contributed negatively to loan demand, with the largest negative net percentage since 2013.^[6]

Table 4

Factors contributing to net demand for loans or credit lines to enterprises

Across the largest euro area countries, the low level of interest rates supported loan demand in most major countries, except in Italy where it was unchanged and in the Netherlands where it continued to have a negative impact. Fixed investment continued to support demand in France and Germany, but dragged it down in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. Inventories and working capital had a negative impact in all countries except France where the contribution was positive. Banks in Germany, France and Italy registered positive impacts from M&A activity, while the Netherlands experienced the opposite effect. The use of alternative finance sources had a negative effect in Spain and to a lesser extent in Germany.

For the fourth quarter of 2019, banks expect loan demand from enterprises to remain broadly unchanged (net percentage of 1%).

2.2 Loans to households for house purchase

2.2.1 Credit standards for loans to households for house purchase eased slightly

Credit standards on loans to households for house purchase eased slightly in the third quarter of 2019 (-2%, after -1% in the previous quarter; see Chart 5 and overview table). This was in contrast to expectations of them remaining unchanged in the last quarter.

Across the largest euro area countries, banks eased their credit standards in Italy and the Netherlands, while they remained unchanged in France, Germany and Spain.

Chart 5

Changes in credit standards applied to the approval of loans to households for house purchase, and contributing factors

Notes: See the notes to Chart 1. “Risk perceptions” is the unweighted average of “general economic situation and outlook”, “housing market prospects, including expected house price developments” and “borrower’s creditworthiness”; “competition” is the unweighted average of “competition from other banks” and “competition from non-banks”.

Competitive pressure and lower risk perceptions were the main drivers behind the easing, while banks’ risk tolerance continued to have a tightening impact on credit standards (see Chart 5 and Table 5).

Across the largest euro area countries, the easing in Italy was driven by competition, while in the Netherlands it was driven by competition and banks’ risk perceptions, but with a slight tightening pressure coming from banks’ risk tolerance. There were no changes reported for the components in Germany and Spain, while France reported a slight easing pressure coming from risk perceptions.

Looking ahead, euro area banks expect that credit standards for housing loans will remain unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Table 5

Factors contributing to the net tightening of credit standards for loans to households for house purchase

2.2.2 Terms and conditions for loans to households for house purchase tightened

Banks’ overall terms and conditions for new loans to households for house purchase tightened in the third quarter of 2019 (see Chart 6 and Table 6). The tightening was mainly driven by margins on riskier loans, which increased to a net percentage not registered for six years. There is also now a small tightening of margins on average loans. Most other terms and conditions remained broadly unchanged.

Chart 6

Changes in terms and conditions for loans to households for house purchase

Notes: “Margins” are defined as the spread over a relevant market reference rate. “Other terms and conditions” is the unweighted average of “loan-to-value ratio”, “other loan size limits”, “non-interest rate charges” and “maturity”.

Of the largest euro area countries, banks in France and Germany reported a tightening of terms and conditions on housing loans driven by the increase in margins on riskier loans; however, German banks also reported a tightening contribution coming from margins on average loans and, to a lesser extent, from collateral requirements. Margins on both average and riskier loans increased also in the Netherlands, although overall terms and conditions did not change. By contrast, Italian and Spanish banks reported an easing of terms and conditions, driven by a reduction in the margins on average loans.

Table 6

Changes in terms and conditions for loans to households for house purchase

Banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet constraints were the main contributor to the tightening of overall terms and conditions on housing loans at the euro area level, while competitive pressure remained the main easing driver (see Table 7). Risk perceptions also had some easing impact, while banks’ risk tolerance had a neutral impact on terms and conditions on housing loans at the euro area level.

While the easing impact of competitive pressures applied across most large euro area countries with the exception of Germany, the tightening impact of banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet situation was concentrated in France and Germany. While perception of risk continued to be an easing driver in the Netherlands, banks’ risk tolerance has shown a slight tightening contribution there.

Table 7

Factors contributing to the net tightening of overall terms and conditions for loans to households for house purchase

2.2.3 Rejection rate for housing loans increased

According to euro area banks, the net share of rejected applications for loans to households for house purchase increased again in the third quarter of 2019 (3%, unchanged from the previous survey round; see Chart 7).

Across the largest euro area countries, the rejection rate for housing loans increased in Germany and Spain, and slightly increased in France, while it remained unchanged in the Netherlands and decreased in Italy.

Chart 7

Change in the share of rejected applications for loans to households for house purchase

2.2.4 Net demand for housing loans continued to increase

In the third quarter of 2019, banks reported a substantial net increase in demand for housing loans (15%, after 26% in the previous quarter; see Chart 8 and overview table), which was above the historical average for housing loan demand, and higher than expected by banks in the previous survey round (6%).

Net demand increased in all large euro area countries, except for Spain where it notably decreased.

Net demand for housing loans continued to be driven mainly by the low general level of interest rates and, to a lesser extent, favourable housing market prospects, while consumer confidence contributed less than in the previous quarter. By contrast, the use of alternative sources of finance had a slightly negative effect on demand (see Chart 8 and Table 8).

Looking at the large euro area countries, the low general level of interest rates had a positive impact on housing loan demand in all countries except for Spain. In addition, favourable housing market prospects supported housing loan demand in most large countries, with the exception of Spain where it was negative. Consumer confidence supported housing demand only in France and the Netherlands, and made a negative contribution in Spain. Favourable debt refinancing, restructuring or renegotiation supported demand in Germany and the Netherlands, while regulatory and fiscal regimes of housing markets had a positive impact on demand in the Netherlands, but a negative impact in France and Spain. Finally, the use of alternative finance dampened demand in Italy and Spain as a result of a greater role of loans from other banks and households’ internal financing capacity, but these factors instead made a positive contribution to net demand in France.

Chart 8

Changes in demand for loans to households for house purchase, and contributing factors

Notes: See the notes to Chart 4. “Other financing needs” is the unweighted average of “debt refinancing/restructuring and renegotiation” and “regulatory and fiscal regime of housing markets”; “use of alternative finance” is the unweighted average of “internal finance of house purchase out of savings/down payment”, “loans from other banks” and “other sources of external finance”.

Table 8

Factors contributing to net demand for loans to households for house purchase

For the fourth quarter of 2019, euro area banks expect a continued increase in net demand for housing loans (20%).

2.3 Consumer credit and other lending to households

2.3.1 Credit standards for consumer credit and other lending to households tightened

In the third quarter of 2019, credit standards for consumer credit and other lending to households continued to tighten (3%, after 4% in the previous quarter; see Chart 9 and overview table), in contrast to broad-based expectations of a net easing in the previous round. The net percentage was slightly below the historical average since 2003.

Across the largest euro area countries, the tightening of credit standards for consumer lending was concentrated among Spanish banks, while banks in the other countries reported a neutral impact, with the exception of Italian banks which reported a net easing.

According to euro area banks, risk tolerance had a minor tightening impact (see Chart 9 and Table 9). There was a significant weakening in the easing pressure coming from the impact of competition.

Looking at the largest euro area countries, the large tightening in Spain was mainly driven by a stricter attitude towards risk by banks and increased risk perceptions. While banks’ risk tolerance had an easing contribution in Italy, lower risk perceptions continued to have an easing contribution in the Netherlands. The easing contributions from competition to credit standards in France, Germany and Italy which were observed in the first two quarters disappeared in the third quarter of 2019.

Chart 9

Changes in credit standards applied to the approval of consumer credit and other lending to households, and contributing factors

Notes: See the notes to Chart 1. “Risk perceptions” is the unweighted average of “general economic situation and outlook”, “creditworthiness of consumers” and “risk on the collateral demanded”; “competition” is the unweighted average of “competition from other banks” and “competition from non-banks”.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2019, euro area banks expect credit standards on consumer credit and other lending to households to remain broadly unchanged (1%).

Table 9

Factors contributing to the net tightening of credit standards for consumer credit and other lending to households

2.3.2 Terms and conditions for consumer credit and other lending to households remained broadly unchanged

In the third quarter of 2019, banks’ overall terms and conditions applied when granting new consumer credit and other lending to households remained broadly unchanged. There was a reduction in the easing contribution of margins on average loans, while margins on riskier loans now had a neutral contribution after a tightening contribution in the previous quarter. There was also a slight increase in the tightening contribution of collateral (see Chart 10 and Table 10).

Across the large euro area countries, overall terms and conditions on consumer credit and other lending to households tightened only in Germany, while they remained unchanged in the other countries. Margins on average loans compressed across Germany and the Netherlands, but tightened in France. Margins on riskier loans widened in the Netherlands, but compressed in Germany.

Chart 10

Changes in terms and conditions for consumer credit and other lending to households

Notes: “Margins” are defined as the spread over a relevant market reference rate. “Other terms and conditions” is the unweighted average of “size of the loan”, “non-interest rate charges” and “maturity”.

Table 10

Changes in terms and conditions for consumer credit and other lending to households

The main factors underlying the tightening of terms and conditions were banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet constraints and, to a lesser extent, banks’ risk tolerance. Competitive pressures continued to contribute to an easing, while risk perceptions now have a neutral effect after previously making an easing contribution (see Table 11).

Across the largest euro area countries, banks’ cost of funds and balance sheet constraints had a tightening impact on terms and conditions in France and Germany, where banks tended to lay down more favourable terms in loan contracts in response to competition. Banks in Spain were the only ones to report a tightening due to risk perceptions. Italian banks reported neutral contributions for all factors. The easing contribution of perceived risk continued in the Netherlands, but there is now a tightening contribution coming from banks’ risk tolerance.

Table 11

Factors contributing to the net tightening of overall terms and conditions for consumer credit and other lending to households

2.3.3 Rejection rate for consumer credit and other lending to households increased

The net share of rejected applications for consumer credit and other lending to households increased in the third quarter of 2019 according to reporting banks, after remaining broadly unchanged in the previous quarter (6%, after 1% in the previous survey round; see Chart 11).

Across the largest euro area countries, the rejection rate increased for banks in Spain and the Netherlands, and to a lesser extent in Germany, while it remained unchanged for banks in France and Italy.

Chart 11

Change in the share of rejected applications for consumer credit and other lending to households

2.3.4 Net demand for consumer credit and other lending to households increased

According to euro area banks, net demand for consumer credit and other lending to households increased in the third quarter of 2019 (net percentage of 8%, after 4% in the previous quarter; see Chart 12 and overview table). The increase in demand was lower than expected in the previous survey round, even though it stood above its historical average.

Across the large euro area countries, net demand for consumer credit and other lending to households increased in Germany and France, while it declined in Spain and Italy.

Among the factors driving the demand at the euro area level, the low general level of interest rates and consumer confidence contributed positively to demand, while spending on durable goods now only contributes slightly after an extended period of making a strong positive contribution (see Chart 12 and Table 12).

Looking at the largest euro area countries, banks in Germany, France and the Netherlands reported a positive contribution of the general level of interest rates to demand for consumer credit, where there was a significant increase in the contribution for France. Spending on durable goods made a negative contribution in France, Italy and Spain. Consumer confidence was considered a particularly relevant factor supporting demand in the Netherlands and France, and to a much lesser degree in Germany. Consumers’ assessment of economic and financial trends saw a significant negative contribution in Spain, and was neutral in Italy.

Chart 12

Changes in demand for consumer credit and other lending to households, and contributing factors

Notes: See the notes to Chart 4. “Use of alternative finance” is the unweighted average of “internal financing out of savings”, “loans from other banks” and “other sources of external finance”. “Consumption exp. (real estate)” denotes “consumption expenditure financed through real estate-guaranteed loans”.

Table 12

Factors contributing to net demand for consumer credit and other lending to households

For the fourth quarter of 2019, euro area banks expect net demand for consumer credit and other lending to households to increase (14%).

3 Ad hoc questions

3.1 Banks’ access to retail and wholesale funding

As in previous survey rounds, the October 2019 survey questionnaire included a question assessing the extent to which the situation in financial markets was affecting banks’ access to retail and wholesale funding. Banks were asked whether their access to funding had deteriorated or eased over the past three months. Negative net percentages indicate an improvement, while positive figures indicate a deterioration in net terms.

For the third quarter of 2019, euro area banks reported in net terms that their access to wholesale funding continued to improve for debt securities issuance, especially in the medium-to-long-term part of the curve, in line with bank bond market developments and following the announcement of the third series of targeted longer-term refinancing operations (TLTRO III). It was also indicated that access to the interbank unsecured money market improved, while access to securitisation improved only marginally with the improvement being limited to the corporate loan segment (see Chart 13 and Table 13).^[7] In contrast to the two previous quarters, banks reported a broadly neutral access to retail funding.

Chart 13

Banks’ assessment of funding conditions and the ability to transfer credit risk off the balance sheet

Note: The net percentages are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages for “deteriorated considerably” and “deteriorated somewhat” and the sum of the percentages for “eased somewhat” and “eased considerably”.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2019, euro area banks expect a continued improvement in their access to debt securities markets and securitisation, while retail funding and access to money markets should remain unchanged.

Table 13

Banks’ assessment of funding conditions and the ability to transfer credit risk off the balance sheet

3.2 The impact of the ECB’s asset purchase programme

The October 2019 survey questionnaire included two bi-annual ad hoc questions gauging the impact of the ECB’s asset purchase programme (APP). When answering the questions on the APP impact over the past and next six months, banks were asked to take into account the impact of the reinvestment of the principal payments from maturing securities purchased under the APP. Banks were also asked to consider both direct and indirect effects of the APP, as there may be indirect effects on banks’ financial situation and asset allocation.

In this survey round, banks reported the impact of the APP on their financial situation. In addition, banks provided an assessment of the impact of the APP on their lending conditions and loan volumes.

3.2.1 Impact of the ECB’s asset purchase programme on banks’ financial situation

Euro area banks reported that the APP has contributed over the past six months to an improvement of their liquidity position and their market financing conditions, but to a deterioration of their profitability (see Chart 14). Over the next six months, euro area banks expect a continued positive impact on their liquidity position and their market financing conditions from the APP.

Chart 14

Overview of the impact of the APP on euro area banks’ financial situation

(net percentages of banks)

Notes: The net percentages are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages for “increased/improved considerably” and “increased/improved somewhat” and the sum of the percentages for “decreased/deteriorated somewhat” and “decreased/deteriorated considerably”. The periods in the legend refer to the respective BLS survey rounds. “Expected” denotes expectations indicated by banks in the current round.

In detail, euro area BLS banks reported that the APP had a slightly positive impact on their total assets over the past six months (net percentage of banks of 2%, after 1% in the April 2019 survey). At the same time, the APP contributed to a further decrease in their holdings of sovereign bonds (net percentage of -5%, after -14%; see Chart 14).

Euro area banks expect a small positive impact on their total assets and a slight decline in their holdings of euro area sovereign bonds over the next six months as a consequence of the APP.

Banks indicated a positive impact of the APP on their liquidity situation in net terms over the past six months (net percentage of banks of 7%, after 7% in the April 2019 survey). Banks expect the size of this positive impact to slightly diminish over the next six months (net percentage of 5%; see Chart 14).

Euro area banks also reported an improvement in their market financing conditions owing to the APP (net percentage of banks of 11%, after 14% in the April 2019 survey; see Chart 14). Banks expect a continued positive impact of the APP on their market financing conditions over the next six months (net percentage of banks of 18%).

A slightly lower net percentage of the euro area BLS banks reported an overall negative impact of the APP on their profitability over the past six months (-26%, after -28% in the April 2019 survey round; see Chart 15). The negative impact on euro area banks’ profitability was due to a negative impact on banks’ net interest margins (net percentage of banks of -35%, after -37%), whereas the impact from capital gains/losses owing to the APP remained broadly neutral (1%, after 1%). Over the next six months, a larger net percentage of the participating euro area banks expect a dampening impact of the APP on their profitability (-26%).

Chart 15

Impact of the APP on euro area banks’ profitability

With regard to banks’ capital position, euro area banks indicated that the impact of the APP on their capital ratio remained broadly unchanged (0%, after 3%) over the past six months (see Chart 14).

3.2.2 Impact of the ECB’s asset purchase programme on banks’ lending conditions and lending volumes

Euro area banks indicated a broadly neutral impact of the APP on their credit standards across all loan categories over the past six months (for loans to enterprises: 1%, after -1% in the April 2019 survey round, for loans to households for house purchase: -1%, after -1%; for consumer credit: 1%, after 0%; see Chart 16, left-hand side). Over the next six months, banks expect a neutral impact of the APP on credit standards for loans to enterprises and housing loans and a small net easing impact for consumer credit.

Chart 16

Impact of the APP on bank lending conditions

Notes: The net percentages are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages for “tightened considerably” and “tightened somewhat” and the sum of the percentages for “eased somewhat” and “eased considerably”. The periods in the legend refer to the respective BLS survey rounds. “Expected” denotes expectations indicated by banks in the current round.

The APP continued to have a net easing impact only on the terms and conditions of new loans to households for house purchase according to reporting banks (loans to enterprises: 0%, after -3% in the April 2019 survey; housing loans: -2%, after -2%; consumer credit and other lending to households: 0%, after -3%; see Chart 16, right-hand side). The APP impact on terms and conditions is expected by euro area banks to become more favourable over the next six months for all loan categories.

Chart 17

Impact of the APP on bank lending volumes

Notes: The net percentages are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages for “increased considerably” and “increased somewhat” and the sum of the percentages for “decreased somewhat” and “decreased considerably”. The periods in the legend refer to the respective BLS survey rounds. “Expected” denotes expectations indicated by banks in the current round.

Euro area banks were also asked to indicate the APP impact on their lending volumes.^[8] They reported a positive impact only on their lending volumes for housing loans over the past six months (4%, remaining unchanged from the April 2019 survey; see Chart 17). In addition, banks reported a broadly neutral impact of the APP on their lending volumes for loans to enterprises and consumer credit and other lending to households (loans to enterprises: 1%, after 3% in April 2019 survey; consumer credit: 1%, after 1%). For the next six months, banks expect a stronger positive APP impact on their lending volumes for loans for house purchase and consumer credit, but expect a broadly neutral impact for loans to enterprises.

3.3 The impact of the ECB’s negative deposit facility rate

The October 2019 survey questionnaire included a bi-annual ad hoc question aimed at gauging the impact of the ECB’s negative deposit facility rate (DFR) on banks’ net interest income, lending conditions and lending volumes. Banks were asked to consider both direct and indirect effects of the negative DFR over the past and next six months, as there may be indirect effects on banks’ financial situation and lending conditions even if the respective bank has no excess liquidity.

With respect to the effect of the ECB’s negative DFR on banks’ net interest income,^[9] euro area BLS banks continued to report a negative impact over the past six months (net percentage of banks of -74%, after -73% in the April 2019 BLS round; see Chart 18). A smaller impact is expected over the coming six months (net percentage of -54%).

Chart 18

Impact of the negative DFR on banks’ net interest income and bank lending

Regarding the DFR impact on loans to enterprises, euro area banks continued to report in net terms a decrease of their lending rates over the past six months (net percentage of banks of -42%, after -31% in the April 2019 survey round) and a negative DFR impact on their loan margins^[10] (-24%, after -32%; see Chart 18). At the same time, banks indicated a positive impact of the negative DFR on their non-interest rate charges for loans to enterprises over the past six months (4%, after 0%). In terms of lending volumes to enterprises, banks reported a positive impact of the DFR for the past six months (net percentage of banks of 11%, after 10% in the April 2019 survey round; see Chart 18).

For the next six months, a smaller net percentage of banks expects a decline of their lending rates (-39%) owing to the DFR, while they expect the negative impact on loan margins to remain unchanged (-24%). In addition, euro area banks expect a positive impact of the DFR on non-interest rate charges (3%) and an ongoing positive effect on lending volumes to enterprises (8%) in net terms.

Regarding the DFR impact on loans to households for house purchase, the impact reported by euro area banks was overall broadly in line with the impact reported for loans to enterprises. Euro area banks also indicated a downward impact on their lending rates (net percentage of banks of -37%, after -32% in the April 2019 survey) and their loan margins (-18%, after -33%; see Chart 18) over the past six months. Euro area banks also indicated that the negative DFR had a positive impact on their non-interest rate charges (2%, after 1% in the April 2019 survey round) and their lending volumes (13%, after 16%) for housing loans over the past six months.

For the next six months, a smaller net percentage of banks expects a negative impact of the DFR on housing lending rates (-34%) and a positive impact on lending volumes (10%), while a larger percentage of banks expects a negative impact on loan margins (-21%).

With regard to consumer credit and other lending to households, 23% of the euro area banks indicated in net terms a negative DFR impact on their lending rates over the past six months (after -26%) and 9% indicated a negative impact on their loan margins (after -25%; see Chart 18). Euro area banks reported a slight positive impact of the DFR on non-interest rate charges for consumer credit over the past six months (2%, after -1%). In terms of lending volumes for consumer credit, euro area banks reported a positive effect of the DFR (net percentage of banks of 6%, after 3%; see Chart 18).

For the next six months, banks expect a negative DFR impact on lending rates
(-23%) and loan margins (-8%), a neutral impact on non-interest rate charges (1%) and a positive impact on lending volumes (3%) for consumer credit.

Annexes

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Website www.ecb.europa.eu

For specific terminology please refer to the ECB glossary.

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The five largest euro area countries in terms of gross domestic product are Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
For more detailed information on the bank lending survey, see the article entitled “A bank lending survey for the euro area”, Monthly Bulletin, ECB, April 2003; and Köhler-Ulbrich, P., Hempell, H. and Scopel, S., “The euro area bank lending survey”, Occasional Paper Series, No 179, ECB, 2016.
In this case, the selected sample banks are generally of similar size or their lending behaviour is typical of a larger group of banks.
The non-harmonised historical data differ from the harmonised data mainly as a result of heterogeneous treatment of “NA” replies and specialised banks across questions and countries. Non-harmonised historical BLS data are published for discontinued BLS questions and ad hoc questions.
The calculation of a simple average when combining factors in broader categories assumes that all factors have the same importance for the banks. This partly explains some inconsistencies in the respective charts between developments in credit standards and developments in the main underlying factor categories.
The calculation of a simple average when combining factors in broader categories assumes that all factors have the same importance for the banks. This partly explains some inconsistencies between developments in demand for loans and developments in the main underlying factor categories.
For the results on securitisation, a large number of banks replied “not applicable” as this source of funding is not relevant for them (between 42% and 49% depending on the type of securitisation in the third quarter of 2019).
Since April 2018, this has replaced the question on the use of the additional liquidity related to the APP for granting loans.
The net interest income is defined as the difference between the interest earned and interest paid on the outstanding amount of interest-bearing assets and liabilities by the bank.
The loan margin is defined as the spread of the bank’s lending rates on new loans over a relevant market reference rate.