Euro area banks unexpectedly tighten credit standards for firms

Euro area banks reported a small net tightening of credit standards for loans or credit lines to enterprises in the third quarter of 2025, with a net percentage of 4 per cent, according to the European Central Bank’s October 2025 Bank Lending Survey (BLS).

Banks reported that credit standards remained unchanged for loans to households for house purchase (a net percentage of 0 per cent) and noted a moderate net