The euro was strong Tuesday morning, trading steadily below $1.35. The currency has been on a high since Friday's announcement that euro-zone banks will repay their European Central Bank loans earlier than expected.
On Friday, euro-zone banks showed their growing strength as they announced they would repay 137.16 billion euros worth of three-year loans held by the ECB. The money, which was lent in both December of 2011 and February of 2012, will be returned on January 30.
The news that banks were weaning themselves from ECB funding confirmed the hopes of many that the euro zone was headed toward recovery in 2013.
Stalled Lending
Although the currency has been on the mend since early 2013, the region's economies still face a long road ahead. According to The Wall Street Journal, euro-zone bank lending has stalled and serves as a reminder that the region isn't out of the woods just yet.
Southern European countries saw the steepest drop in lending, with loans in Spanish households falling 2.8% over a one month period. In Italy, Greece and Portugal credit for entities fell by 0.7%, 0.5% and 0.6% respectively.
The Rate Watch
Northern European countries, which have tended to fare better throughout the euro-zone crisis, even saw a drop as German lending was down 0.3%. The weakness opens up discussions among investors as to whether the ECB will keep interest rates constant at its next monthly meeting in February. Since the region hasn't had increased price pressure, many believe the ECB will consider cutting the region's already record low interest rates.
(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
On Friday, euro-zone banks showed their growing strength as they announced they would repay 137.16 billion euros worth of three-year loans held by the ECB. The money, which was lent in both December of 2011 and February of 2012, will be returned on January 30.
The news that banks were weaning themselves from ECB funding confirmed the hopes of many that the euro zone was headed toward recovery in 2013.
Stalled Lending
Although the currency has been on the mend since early 2013, the region's economies still face a long road ahead. According to The Wall Street Journal, euro-zone bank lending has stalled and serves as a reminder that the region isn't out of the woods just yet.
Southern European countries saw the steepest drop in lending, with loans in Spanish households falling 2.8% over a one month period. In Italy, Greece and Portugal credit for entities fell by 0.7%, 0.5% and 0.6% respectively.
The Rate Watch
Northern European countries, which have tended to fare better throughout the euro-zone crisis, even saw a drop as German lending was down 0.3%. The weakness opens up discussions among investors as to whether the ECB will keep interest rates constant at its next monthly meeting in February. Since the region hasn't had increased price pressure, many believe the ECB will consider cutting the region's already record low interest rates.
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(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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