Bank Lending Survey. June 2020

Abstract

The latest results of the Bank Lending Survey are very much marked by the impact that the COVID 19 pandemic has had on economic activity and, in consequence, on the credit market. Thus, during 2020 Q2, the credit supply to enterprises eased in Spain, highly influenced by the establishment of the government-backed ICO COVID 19 credit line. In the euro area, the credit supply to enterprises presented little change, in contrast to the significant tightening recorded during the previous financial crisis, owing both to the impact of the tax and economic policy measures adopted and to banks’ stronger capital positions. Both in Spain and the euro area, credit standards and terms and conditions for lending to households tightened, largely as a result of the increase in perceived risk and the deterioration of the economic outlook overall. As regards credit demand, loan applications by enterprises rose sharply both in Spain and the euro area, on account of the increase in their liquidity needs primarily to fund working capital. By contrast, households’ demand fell markedly, against a backdrop of growing economic uncertainty.