Summary:
The report presents the results of the Regional Bank Lending Survey conducted by the Regional Branches of the Bank of Italy on a sample of 243 banks covering the first half of 2023. The survey provides insights on business and household loan demand and bank lending policies; the analysis is segmented by geographic area and economic sector.
La pubblicazione riporta i risultati dell’indagine Regional bank lending survey, condotta dalle Filiali regionali della Banca d’Italia su un campione di 243 banche e relativa al primo semestre del 2023.
Essa fornisce indicazioni sulla domanda di finanziamenti di imprese e famiglie e sulle politiche di offerta adottate dalle banche; l’analisi è disaggregata per area geografica e settore economico.
Highlights content goes here...
Summary
The document provides the results of the Regional Bank Lending Survey conducted by the Regional Branches of the Bank of Italy on a sample of 243 banks, covering the first half of 2023. The survey aims to gather information on the demand for corporate and household financing and the lending policies employed by banks, with the analysis divided by geographic area and economic sector.
The survey’s findings indicate that, in the first half of 2023, the demand for corporate financing in Italy remained stable, with a slight increase in the demand for loans from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is particularly evident in the northern regions, where 55% of respondents reported an increase in loan demand. Conversely, the southern regions experienced a decrease in demand, with 31% of respondents citing a decrease.
Regarding the lending policies of Italian banks, the survey reveals that banks have maintained a cautious approach to lending, citing concerns about the economic outlook and uncertainty surrounding the post-pandemic recovery. As a result, banks have increased the share of loans to existing customers, while the share of new lending has decreased. The survey also highlights that banks have reduced the stock of outstanding loans, particularly in the southern regions.
In terms of the economic sectors, the survey reveals that the construction and real estate sectors are the most affected by the reduction in lending, with 46% of respondents reporting a decrease in loan demand. Conversely, the manufacturing sector has seen an increase in loan demand, with 33% of respondents citing an increase.
The survey also presents some interesting regional disparities, with the northern regions showing a higher demand for loans and a greater willingness to lend, while the southern regions are experiencing a decrease in loan demand and a more cautious approach to lending.
Overall, the Regional Bank Lending Survey provides valuable insights into the current state of the Italian banking sector, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities faced by banks and the potential for regional disparities in the country’s economic recovery.
