The German banks responding to the Bank Lending Survey (BLS) once again tightened their credit standards for loans to enterprises somewhat in the first quarter of 2021. Standards remained unchanged for loans to households for house purchase, and they were eased marginally for consumer credit and other lending to households.

German banks tightened their credit standards and lending conditions again in the second quarter of 2020. While there was a sharp rise in demand for loans to enterprises, demand for loans for house purchase fell for the first time since 2017. This is shown by the results of a survey of German banks’ lending, which is conducted four times a year.

According to a quarterly survey of 34 banks conducted by the Bundesbank, German banks tightened their credit standards and lending terms and conditions further in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. At the same time, there was considerable growth in enterprises’ demand for loans in the first quarter of 2020.

German banks tightened their credit standards for loans to enterprises for the third consecutive period, while guidelines for loans to households for house purchase remained unchanged.

According to the latest Bank Lending Survey (BLS) in Germany, German banks have tightened their credit standards for loans to enterprises once again. For loans to households for house purchase, by contrast, institutions have eased their credit standards somewhat.

In the opening quarter of 2019, German banks tightened their credit standards marginally overall for loans to enterprises and slightly for loans to households for house purchase.

German banks made hardly any changes to their lending policies in the final quarter of 2018. Credit standards remained virtually constant in all three loan categories. At the same time, banks’ overall credit terms and conditions for loans to enterprises and for loans to households for house purchase were eased slightly.