Die Jahreswachstumsrate der weit gefassten Geldmenge M3 erhöhte sich im Juni 2018 auf 4,4 % nach 4,0 % im Mai.

Lockerung der Kreditrichtlinien und steigende Nachfrage in allen Darlehenskategorien begünstigen nach wie vor das Kreditwachstum. Banken erwarten für das dritte Quartal per saldo eine anhaltende Lockerung der Kreditrichtlinien in allen Segmenten. Verschärfender Einfluss notleidender Kredite der Banken auf die Kreditrichtlinien lässt nach.

The banks repeatedly eased their credit standards and terms and conditions in all three surveyed loan categories. They again adapted credit terms and conditions mainly by narrowing margins irrespective of borrowers’ creditworthiness, albeit to a smaller extent than in the preceding quarter. Demand for loans to enterprises and loans to households for house purchase picked up considerably, with demand for consumer credit and other lending in fact rising sharply.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published on 18 July 2018 its final Guidelines on fraud reporting under the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2). These Guidelines were developed by the EBA in close cooperation with the European Central Bank (ECB) and several European Central Banks and are addressed to payment service providers and competent authorities. They are aimed at enhancing the security of retail payments in the EU.