24.03.202610:10:06UTC+00Greek Credit Expansion Cools in January, Slipping to 4.9% YoY

Greek credit expansion decelerated at the start of 2026, with the annual growth rate easing to 4.9% in January 2026 from 5.4% recorded in October 2025. The latest figures, updated on 24 March 2026, signal a moderation in lending momentum across the Greek financial system.

Both the current and previous readings are based on year-over-year comparisons, measuring how credit expansion in each month compares with the same month a year earlier. The January 2026 figure thus reflects a slower pace of credit growth than the earlier October 2025 reading, suggesting that conditions in the credit market have become somewhat less expansionary over recent months.

For policymakers, banks, and investors, the shift from 5.4% to 4.9% year-over-year growth may indicate a cooling in demand for loans, tighter lending standards, or a combination of both. While credit is still expanding, the softer pace could have implications for Greece’s broader economic outlook, particularly if the trend continues in the coming months.