www.ecb.europa.eu
15 July 2024
- Euro area enterprises signalled more positive developments as regards the supply of bank loans, reflected in a slight increase in bank loan availability, fewer obstacles to obtaining loans, as well as an improvement in banks’ willingness to lend.
- Fewer firms recorded a moderate tightening of financing conditions in the second quarter of 2024. Firms reported a slight reduction in the need for bank loans and improvements in the availability of bank loans. As a result, there was a small decrease in the bank financing gap with respect to the previous quarter.
- More enterprises reported an increase in turnover over the last three months, and firms were optimistic about developments in the next quarter. Fewer firms saw a deterioration in profits, while increases in labour and other costs were indicated less often than in the previous quarter. Cost pressures remained widespread.
- A small share of firms in net terms indicated an increase in average hours worked in the second…