Germany bank lending survey
Germany bank lending survey and the KfW-ifo credit constraint indicator for enterprises.
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| Indicator | Q3-2026 | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | Q4-2023 | Q3-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Lending Survey (banks' answers)4 | ||||||||||||||
| Loan demand / Enterprise13 | ||||||||||||||
| Share of rejected loan application, Large enterprises, Backward looking three months | 10.34 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 10.34 | 3.45 | 0 | 17.24 | 10.34 | 10.34 | 10.34 | 13.79 | 13.79 | 13.79 | |
| Large enterprises, Backward looking three months | 13.79 | 3.45 | 10.34 | 13.79 | 13.79 | -3.45 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 17.24 | -13.79 | -13.79 | -27.59 | -31.03 | |
| Large enterprises, Forward looking three months | 20.69 | -6.9 | 13.79 | 10.34 | 31.03 | 10.34 | 0 | 13.79 | 13.79 | 0 | -6.9 | -10.34 | 0 | |
| Long-term loans, Backward looking three months | 12.9 | 0 | 6.45 | 9.68 | 19.35 | 0 | 6.67 | 10 | 9.68 | -19.35 | -19.35 | -35.48 | -38.71 | |
| Long-term loans, Forward looking three months | 16.13 | -12.9 | 9.68 | 12.9 | 25.81 | 13.33 | -3.33 | 6.67 | 12.9 | -3.23 | -6.45 | -12.9 | -12.9 | |
| Share of rejected loan application, Overall, Backward looking three months | 12.9 | 9.68 | 6.45 | 12.9 | 6.45 | 6.67 | 20 | 10 | 9.68 | 3.23 | 9.68 | 9.68 | 12.9 | |
| Overall, Backward looking three months | 9.68 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 9.68 | 22.58 | 3.33 | 6.67 | 13.33 | 16.13 | -12.9 | -16.13 | -22.58 | -32.26 | |
| Overall, Forward looking three months | 16.13 | 0 | 16.13 | 9.68 | 29.03 | 13.33 | 0 | 13.33 | 12.9 | 0 | -6.45 | -12.9 | -3.23 | |
| Share of rejected loan application, Small- and medium-sized enterprises, Backward looking three months | 13.33 | 13.33 | 6.67 | 13.33 | 10 | 13.79 | 24.14 | 13.79 | 13.33 | 3.33 | 13.33 | 16.67 | 10 | |
| Small- and medium-sized enterprises, Backward looking three months | -3.33 | -3.33 | 0 | 10 | 26.67 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 10.34 | 0 | -13.33 | -10 | -26.67 | -26.67 | |
| Small- and medium-sized enterprises, Forward looking three months | 16.67 | -3.33 | 13.33 | 10 | 33.33 | 13.79 | 0 | 3.45 | 6.67 | -6.67 | -6.67 | -13.33 | -3.33 | |
| Short-term loans, Backward looking three months | 0 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 3.23 | 12.9 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 0 | 0 | -6.45 | -9.68 | -3.23 | -16.13 | |
| Short-term loans, Forward looking three months | 19.35 | 3.23 | 12.9 | 0 | 22.58 | 13.33 | 6.67 | 13.33 | 9.68 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 9.68 | |
| Loan demand / Household6 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer credit, Share of rejected loan application, Backward | 10.71 | 14.29 | 10.71 | 10.71 | 10.71 | -7.41 | 11.11 | 11.11 | 3.57 | 14.29 | 7.14 | 10.71 | 14.29 | |
| Consumer credit, Backward | -21.43 | -17.86 | 0 | 7.14 | 17.86 | 11.11 | 3.7 | 25.93 | 14.29 | 14.29 | -3.57 | -3.57 | -14.29 | |
| Consumer credit, Forward | -7.14 | 0 | -7.14 | -3.57 | 7.14 | 11.11 | 7.41 | 7.41 | 10.71 | 10.71 | -3.57 | 0 | 0 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Share of rejected loan application, Backward | 3.7 | 3.7 | 0 | 7.41 | 0 | -3.7 | 0 | -3.7 | -3.7 | 7.14 | 7.14 | 17.86 | 14.29 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Backward | -29.63 | -3.7 | 3.7 | 25.93 | 51.85 | 59.26 | 33.33 | 44.44 | 29.63 | 46.43 | -7.14 | -32.14 | -32.14 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Forward | -14.81 | -3.7 | 14.81 | 18.52 | 18.52 | 7.41 | 25.93 | 33.33 | 22.22 | 39.29 | 21.43 | 0 | -3.57 | |
| Loan supply / Enterprise37 | ||||||||||||||
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Bank lending rate, Backward | 10.34 | 20.69 | 13.79 | 0 | -3.45 | 6.9 | -13.79 | -17.24 | -3.45 | -6.9 | ||||
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Bank lending rate, Backward | 10 | 30 | 16.67 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 6.9 | -13.79 | -13.79 | 0 | -3.33 | ||||
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Bank lending rate, Backward | 12.9 | 25.81 | 16.13 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 6.67 | -13.33 | -13.33 | -3.23 | -3.23 | ||||
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Collateral requirements, Backward | 3.45 | 10.34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.45 | 6.9 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 6.9 | 0 | 3.45 | 3.45 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Collateral requirements, Backward | 3.33 | 6.67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10.34 | 3.45 | 0 | 6.67 | 0 | 3.33 | 3.33 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Collateral requirements, Backward | 3.23 | 9.68 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 0 | 6.45 | 6.45 | |
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Loan covenants, Backward | 6.9 | 3.45 | 0 | 0 | 3.45 | 0 | 6.9 | 0 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 10.34 | 3.45 | 3.45 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Loan covenants, Backward | 6.67 | 3.33 | 0 | 0 | 3.33 | 0 | 6.9 | 0 | 0 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 0 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Loan covenants, Backward | 6.45 | 3.23 | 0 | 0 | 3.23 | 0 | 6.67 | 0 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 9.68 | 3.23 | 3.23 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Large enterprises, Backward | 10.34 | 17.24 | 13.79 | 10.34 | 0 | 6.9 | 13.79 | -3.45 | 3.45 | 13.79 | 10.34 | 13.79 | 10.34 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Large enterprises, Forward | 3.45 | 13.79 | 13.79 | 3.45 | -3.45 | 6.9 | 20.69 | 13.79 | 3.45 | 13.79 | 27.59 | 20.69 | 3.45 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Long-term loans, Backward | 9.68 | 16.13 | 19.35 | 9.68 | 6.45 | 6.67 | 13.33 | 0 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 9.68 | 9.68 | 9.68 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Long-term loans, Forward | 3.23 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 3.23 | 0 | 6.67 | 16.67 | 13.33 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 9.68 | 16.13 | 0 | |
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on average loans, Backward | 3.45 | 0 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 0 | 6.9 | 3.45 | -6.9 | 3.45 | -3.45 | 3.45 | 0 | 20.69 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on average loans, Backward | 6.67 | 10 | 6.67 | 6.67 | 6.67 | 3.45 | 3.45 | -3.45 | 3.33 | 0 | -3.33 | 6.67 | 16.67 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on average loans, Backward | 0 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 3.33 | 3.33 | -3.33 | 3.23 | 0 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 19.35 | |
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on riskier loans, Backward | 10.34 | 6.9 | 10.34 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 10.34 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 0 | 3.45 | 6.9 | 10.34 | 17.24 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on riskier loans, Backward | 10 | 6.67 | 13.33 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 3.45 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 0 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 10 | 16.67 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on riskier loans, Backward | 9.68 | 6.45 | 12.9 | 6.45 | 3.23 | 3.33 | 6.67 | 10 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 9.68 | 16.13 | |
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Maturity, Backward | 0 | 0 | 3.45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 0 | 0 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 0 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Maturity, Backward | 0 | 0 | 3.33 | 0 | 3.33 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.33 | 0 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Maturity, Backward | 0 | 0 | 3.23 | 0 | 3.23 | 0 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 0 | 0 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 0 | |
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Non interest rate charges, Backward | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.45 | 0 | 0 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Non interest rate charges, Backward | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 0 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Non interest rate charges, Backward | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 0 | |
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Overall, Backward | 6.9 | 17.24 | 3.45 | 6.9 | 0 | 10.34 | 3.45 | -3.45 | 3.45 | 0 | 6.9 | 10.34 | 20.69 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Overall, Backward | 13.33 | 16.67 | 6.67 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 13.79 | 10.34 | 0 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 13.33 | 16.67 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Overall, Backward | 9.68 | 16.13 | 16.13 | 9.68 | 3.23 | 3.33 | 13.33 | -3.33 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 9.68 | 9.68 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Overall, Backward | 9.68 | 19.35 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 3.23 | 10 | 6.67 | 0 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 9.68 | 12.9 | 19.35 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Overall, Forward | 3.23 | 16.13 | 12.9 | 0 | -3.23 | 6.67 | 13.33 | 10 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 9.68 | 9.68 | 0 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Small- and medium-sized enterprises, Backward | 3.33 | 13.33 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 6.67 | -3.45 | 13.79 | 0 | 6.67 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 6.67 | 10 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Small- and medium-sized enterprises, Forward | 0 | 13.33 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 0 | 10.34 | 10.34 | 13.79 | 6.67 | 10 | 6.67 | 10 | 0 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Short-term loans, Backward | 3.23 | 9.68 | 16.13 | 6.45 | 3.23 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 6.45 | |
| Not applicable, Credit standards, Short-term loans, Forward | 0 | 12.9 | 9.68 | 0 | -3.23 | 6.67 | 6.67 | 10 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 9.68 | 3.23 | 0 | |
| Large enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Size of loans, Backward | -3.45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.45 | 6.9 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 0 | 3.45 | 0 | |
| Small and medium-sized enterprises, Credit terms and conditions, Size of loans, Backward | 0 | 3.33 | 0 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 6.9 | 10.34 | 3.45 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 0 | |
| Not applicable, Credit terms and conditions, Size of loans, Backward | -3.23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.23 | 3.33 | 6.67 | 3.33 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 6.45 | 0 | |
| Loan supply / Household26 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Bank lending rate, Backward | 7.14 | 7.14 | 0 | -3.57 | -3.57 | 18.52 | -7.41 | -3.7 | 10.71 | 0 | ||||
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Bank lending rate, Backward | 14.81 | 22.22 | 0 | 7.41 | -3.7 | 3.7 | -25.93 | -29.63 | -7.41 | -10.71 | ||||
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Collateral requirements, Backward | 0 | 3.57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Collateral requirements, Backward | 0 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on average loans, Backward | -3.57 | 7.14 | 0 | 0 | 3.57 | 14.81 | 0 | 3.7 | 3.57 | 10.71 | 7.14 | 3.57 | 10.71 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on average loans, Backward | -3.7 | -7.41 | -7.41 | 7.41 | -11.11 | -7.41 | -11.11 | -18.52 | -14.81 | -3.57 | -7.14 | -7.14 | 3.57 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on riskier loans, Backward | -3.57 | 3.57 | 3.57 | -3.57 | 3.57 | 14.81 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 7.14 | 3.57 | 0 | 10.71 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Margin on riskier loans, Backward | 7.41 | 3.7 | -3.7 | 11.11 | 0 | -3.7 | -3.7 | -3.7 | -7.41 | 3.57 | 0 | 14.29 | 7.14 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Maturity, Backward | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.57 | 0 | 7.41 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 3.57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Maturity, Backward | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Non interest rate charges, Backward | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Non interest rate charges, Backward | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Overall, Backward | 0 | 14.29 | 0 | -3.57 | 10.71 | 14.81 | 0 | 11.11 | 7.14 | 10.71 | 0 | 0 | 10.71 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Overall, Backward | 7.41 | 3.7 | -3.7 | 14.81 | 0 | -7.41 | -14.81 | -14.81 | -7.41 | -3.57 | -7.14 | 6.9 | 7.14 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Other loan size limits, Backward | 0 | 7.41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.57 | -3.57 | 0 | -3.57 | |
| Consumer credit, Margins on average loans, Perception of risk, Backward | 0 | 7.14 | 0 | 0 | 3.57 | 7.41 | 0 | 0 | 7.14 | 7.14 | 3.57 | 3.57 | 3.57 | |
| Consumer credit, Margins on riskier loans, Perception of risk, Backward | 0 | 3.57 | 3.57 | 0 | 0 | 7.41 | 0 | 0 | 3.57 | 7.14 | 3.57 | 0 | 3.57 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Perception of risk, Backward | 3.57 | 10.71 | 0 | 0 | 7.14 | 7.41 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 7.14 | 10.71 | 3.57 | 3.57 | 7.14 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Margins on average loans, Perception of risk, Backward | 0 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | -3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.14 | 0 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Margins on riskier loans, Perception of risk, Backward | 3.7 | 0 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10.71 | 3.57 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit terms and conditions, Perception of risk, Backward | 7.41 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 3.7 | -3.7 | 0 | 3.57 | 0 | 10.71 | 3.57 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit terms and conditions, Size of loans, Backward | 3.57 | 7.14 | 0 | 3.57 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 7.41 | 0 | 7.14 | 3.57 | 3.57 | 3.57 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit standards, Not applicable, Backward | 10.71 | 10.71 | 10.71 | 7.14 | 10.71 | 0 | 11.11 | 14.81 | 7.14 | 14.29 | 3.57 | 7.14 | 14.29 | |
| Consumer credit, Credit standards, Not applicable, Forward | 3.57 | 3.57 | 3.57 | 7.14 | 7.14 | 14.81 | 7.41 | 11.11 | 3.57 | 7.14 | 21.43 | 7.14 | -3.57 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit standards, Not applicable, Backward | 7.41 | 3.7 | 11.11 | 3.7 | 11.11 | -7.41 | 11.11 | 7.41 | 7.41 | 7.14 | 0 | 3.57 | 10.71 | |
| Loans for house purchase, Credit standards, Not applicable, Forward | -3.7 | 11.11 | 11.11 | 7.41 | 7.41 | 18.52 | 7.41 | 0 | 11.11 | 10.71 | 17.86 | 7.14 | 3.57 | |
| KfW-ifo credit constraint (firms' answers)6 | ||||||||||||||
| All economic activities2 | ||||||||||||||
| Small and medium-sized enterprises | 40.5 | 34 | 37.8 | 33.9 | 35.2 | 33.8 | 32 | 31.5 | 27.8 | 26.3 | 28.8 | 31.7 | ||
| Large enterprises | 32.9 | 29.1 | 29.4 | 20.4 | 21.5 | 23.6 | 31.9 | 34.5 | 25.8 | 20.7 | 20.4 | 21.3 | ||
| Manufacturing2 | ||||||||||||||
| Small and medium-sized enterprises | 40.8 | 34.3 | 35.1 | 34.5 | 35.7 | 33.2 | 33.4 | 31.2 | 29.2 | 20.3 | 26.3 | 32.4 | ||
| Large enterprises | 30.1 | 30.3 | 28.3 | 15.5 | 19.6 | 20.8 | 35.5 | 40.4 | 20.5 | 18.3 | 16.7 | 19.1 | ||
| Main construction industry2 | ||||||||||||||
| Small and medium-sized enterprises | 27.1 | 31 | 29.6 | 27.6 | 26.8 | 29.6 | 24.8 | 21.2 | 34.3 | 25 | 23.9 | 29 | ||
| Large enterprises | 45.2 | 31.7 | 31.3 | 37 | 20.2 | 33.3 | 28 | 19.8 | 28.1 | 18.8 | 13.5 | 30.1 | ||
| Wholesale trade2 | ||||||||||||||
| Small and medium-sized enterprises | 42 | 42.6 | 35.6 | 37.9 | 41 | 36.8 | 36.7 | 24.8 | 27.2 | 28.9 | 33.8 | 29.5 | ||
| Large enterprises | 28.3 | 20.9 | 41.7 | 21.1 | 24.5 | 27.8 | 21.6 | 21.1 | 20.9 | 9.6 | 20.8 | 10.9 |
Latest reading
The series on this page is quarterly and runs from Q1 2003 to Q3 2026. Source: Deutsche Bundesbank and KfW Research / ifo Institute.
About this data
Germany bank lending survey and the KfW-ifo credit constraint indicator for enterprises. The data covers banks' and firms' perspectives on credit negotiations, rejected loan applications, and margins on consumer credit and house purchases. Breakdowns include firm size, short-term and long-term loans, and forward-looking expectations. This quarterly survey is published by the Deutsche Bundesbank and KfW Research / ifo Institute since 2003.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the latest figure for Germany bank lending survey?
- The latest reading is 9.68 Net percentage, for Q3 2026. That is −6.45 Net percentage from Q2 2026 and +6.45 Net percentage from a year earlier.
- How far back does the Germany bank lending survey data go?
- The series on this page is quarterly and runs from Q1 2003 to Q3 2026. Source: Deutsche Bundesbank and KfW Research / ifo Institute. Every series in the table can be charted over its full history and downloaded as CSV or Excel.
- What does the Germany bank lending survey measure?
- The Germany bank lending survey measures credit supply conditions from the perspective of both banks and firms. It tracks how banks adjust credit standards and margins, and whether firms face constraints in credit negotiations.
- What types of loans are covered in the bank lending survey?
- The survey covers short-term and long-term loans for small, medium and large enterprises, as well as consumer credit and loans for house purchases. It details changes in bank lending rates, collateral requirements and loan covenants.
- What is the KfW-ifo credit constraint indicator?
- The KfW-ifo indicator reflects the share of German firms that perceive banks' lending behaviour as restrictive during actual credit negotiations. It complements the banks' answers with the borrowers' perspective.