A survey of lending carried out by the Central Bank has indicated a drop in demand for loans from businesses in the second quarter of the year.
The survey found that demand for business loans fell compared with the last survey in April, while banks expected a further fall in the third quarter. Demand from households for mortgage loans increased, however, though demand for other types of consumer lending fell.
The survey found that credit standards demanded by banks from businesses and consumers continued to be tight in the second quarter, though little changed from the previous quarter. Tighter lending standards usually mean higher interest rates, or more restrictive terms and conditions for loans.
The Central Bank survey feeds into a wider European survey carried out by the European Central Bank.
