The BLS covers three loan categories: loans to enterprises, loans to households for house purchase, and consumer credit and other lending to households. On balance, the surveyed banks tightened their credit standards for loans to enterprises and loans to households. The net percentage of banks that tightened their requirements was +⁠ 16 % for loans to enterprises, +⁠ 4 % for loans to households for house purchase, and +⁠ 11 % for consumer credit and other lending to households. The tightening of credit standards for loans to enterprises was in line with what the banks had originally been planning in the previous quarter. It affected large enterprises as well as small and medium-sized enterprises to a similar extent.

The external assets of the banks (more than 2 trillion euros) are significantly higher than the external liabilities.

The statistics on amounts outstanding of OTC derivatives are part of a survey coordinated by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), which is conducted semi-annually by central banks in major financial centres.

The continual observation of price stability is based on analyses of price statistics. Particular attention is usually paid to the German Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and the national Consumer Price Index (CPI), which are both published by the Federal Statistical Office and often used throughout the EU and as inflation measures.

In response to financial crises since the 1990s, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has developed standards to promote data transparency and support the credibility of statistical systems.

Die Jahreswachstumsrate des weit gefassten Geldmengenaggregats M3 stieg im März 2026 auf 3,2 % nach 3,0 % im Februar. In den drei Monaten bis März betrug sie durchschnittlich 3,2 %. 

Since December 2009, the statistics on financial vehicle corporations (FVCs) have included a quarterly survey, carried out at the end of the quarter, of the assets and liabilities of all FVCs in Germany.

The European Banking Authority is an independent EU authority, although it is accountable to the European Parliament, the EU Council and the European Commission.