Eurozone Bank Lending Growth to Companies Slowed in August

European Central Bank data released on Friday, September 25, 2026, showed annual growth in bank lending to eurozone companies eased to 4.2 percent in August from 4.4 percent in July, which had been the highest since mid-2023. According to Mehr News Agency citing Reuters, lending growth to households held steady at 3.1 percent in August, still the fastest pace since early 2023.

The same data showed annual growth in the M3 money supply rose to 3.5 percent in August from 3.4 percent in July, in line with the forecast of economists polled by Reuters.

The figures come as expensive energy, driven by disrupted oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, keeps eurozone inflation elevated, shaping the ECB's policy path and in turn the euro, a currency also used in Iran's foreign exchange dealings.