LONDON (MNI) – Credit availability to both businesses and
households was broadly unchanged in Q1, the Bank of England said today.
In its latest Trends in Lending report, the BOE said that a survey
of businesses by its network of regional agents indicated that credit
availability for most firms was little changed since last summer.
The BOE also cited recent discussions with major lenders, saying
that demand from small and medium-sized enterprises had remained “muted”
over Q1.
The availability of secured lending to households was unchanged in
2012 Q1 and is expected to fall slightly in Q2, the BOE said.
The data also showed that net monthly lending to businesses fell by
stg4bln in February and the stock of lending to small and medium-sized
enterprises continued to contract.
Secured lending to individuals rose by stg1.2bln over the same
period, the report shows. Consumer credit also rose by stg400mln in
February.
–London newsroom: 4420 7862 7492; email: ukeditorial@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: M$B$$$, M$$BE$]
