NBP: banks expect flat demand for loans in Q2

According to a survey conducted by Poland's Central Bank (NBP), the banks don't expect a major shift in demand for loans in Q2, despite not planning any further changes to the lending criteria, which were tightened in Q1. The only segment where they expect an increase is for long-term corporate loans. In housing loans, banks expect to leave criteria intact in Q2 similarly to Q1. As for demand, singular banks expect demand to decline after an increase in demand in the last quarter. Lenders hope to maintain criteria regarding consumer loans in Q2 intact, after a significant tightening in the previous quarter. Demand is expected to grow after a slight increase in Q1. The survey was conducted at the turn of March and April among 27 banks whose aggregate share in corporate and household liabilities amounted to 87 percent of the banking sector portfolio.