Sidetalk

The results of the April 2008 bank lending survey indicate a further increase in the net tightening of credit standards for loans to enterprises (up from 41% in the fourth quarter of 2007 to 49% in the first quarter of 2008), with net tightening increasing more for large than for small and medium-sized enterprises. Banks’ risk perception regarding general economic activity, the industry or firm-specific outlook, and the cost of banks’ funds and balance sheet constraints contributed to the further increase observed in banks’ net tightening of credit standards. Banks also reported a further increase in the net tightening of credit standards for loans to households for house purchase (up from 21% in the fourth quarter of 2007 to 33% in the first quarter of 2008). In addition, the net tightening of credit standards for consumer credit and other lending to households rose (up from 10% in the fourth quarter of 2007 to 19% in the first quarter of 2008). With regard to demand for loans, banks reported that net demand for loans to enterprises was negative in the first quarter of 2008, a decline by comparison with the slightly positive net demand observed in the previous quarter.