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[BUSINESS] · Spain · 5 sources

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Part of situation: European banking sector credit risk escalation (2 clusters)

European banks tighten credit amid geopolitical risks

European banking credit tightening SME financing geopolitical risk European Central Bank

European banks are increasingly selective with lending due to rising geopolitical, economic, and energy risks. According to reports from the European Central Bank (ECB) dated July 2026, including the Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises (SAFE) and the Bank Lending Survey (BLS), banks are adopting a more preventive stance despite non-performing loan ratios remaining at historic lows.

This tightening of credit conditions has impacted businesses unevenly. Approximately 42% of surveyed companies reported increases in loan interest rates, commissions, or collateral requirements, up from 26% in the previous quarter. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are disproportionately affected as they rely heavily on bank financing, whereas large corporations often have alternative funding options.

Santiago Carbó, an economics professor at CUNEF Universidad, noted that while banks are not stopping lending entirely, they are conducting much more rigorous analyses of individual operations. The tightening is particularly noted in energy-intensive manufacturing and the automotive sector.

Entities

CUNEF Universidad · European Central Bank · Santiago Carbó

Claims

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Sources

La alta inflación en España presiona al BCE para subir los tipos [theofficer.es]
Los particulares europeos tienen 440. 000 millones expuestos a una posible burbuja de la IA [www.lavanguardia.com]
ENDURECIMIENTO CRÉDITO BANCOS | La banca europea se vuelve más selectiva en el crédito ante el riesgo geopolítico, pero España resiste mejor el frenazo [www.informacion.es]
ENDURECIMIENTO CRÉDITO BANCOS | La banca europea se vuelve más selectiva en el crédito ante el riesgo geopolítico, pero España resiste mejor el frenazo [www.lne.es]
ENDURECIMIENTO CRÉDITO BANCOS | La banca europea se vuelve más selectiva en el crédito ante el riesgo geopolítico, pero España resiste mejor el frenazo [www.levante-emv.com]