FRANKFURT (MNI) – Household demand for loans in Norway is expected
to remain broadly unchanged in the second quarter of this year after an
unforeseen pickup in 1Q, while credit demand from companies is likely to
rise “somewhat” further in the coming period, Norges Bank said in its
latest bank lending survey, released Thursday.
The survey also showed that credit standards for both households
and companies had remained unchanged since 4Q and would likely stay at
current levels in the coming months.
Norwegian banks polled in the survey said their margins on loans to
households had narrowed in the three months to March, though by less
than initially expected. Those margins are projected to fall further in
the near-term future.
Lending margins for enterprises also lost ground in 1Q, while loan
maturities increased as expected. Loan terms and conditions are likely
to remain broadly unchanged in the coming period, the central bank
added.
The Norges Bank’s bank lending survey was conducted between March
30th and April 11th.
— Frankfurt bureau: +49-69-720 142; email: frankfurt@marketnews.com —
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