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Consumer Credit Trends In Cyprus: Rising Costs Amid Declining Lending Volumes

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 4, 2025

Overview Of Shifting Monetary Trends

Recent statistics from the Central Bank of Cyprus signal a marked increase in consumer credit costs throughout July 2025, coupled with a significant contraction in new lending volumes. These insights, drawn from the August 2025 monetary and financial statistics report, underscore the evolving economic landscape in Cyprus.

Interest Rate Trends Across Deposits And Loans

Household deposit rates for maturities of up to one year decreased modestly to 1.08% from 1.13% in June, while non-financial corporations saw a corresponding rise to 1.21% from 1.18%. On the lending side, consumer credit interest rates increased from 7.01% to 7.40% within the same period, even as loans for house purchases slightly declined from 3.95% to 3.87%. The central bank highlights that this variation reflects the diverse risk profiles inherent in loans for primary residences, holiday homes, and other property types.

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Corporate Lending: A Bifurcated Outlook

Non-financial corporations experienced differential trends. Loans up to one million euros witnessed a decrease in average interest rates from 4.39% to 4.29%, whereas larger loans exceeding one million euros saw rates edge upward from 4.04% to 4.29%. This bifurcation points to the nuanced dynamics influencing corporate borrowing amid prevailing economic conditions.

Declining New Lending Volumes

In July 2025, the overall pure new lending volumes sharply declined to €445.3 million from €743.5 million in June. Specific segments such as housing loans and loans for non-financial corporations also experienced notable reductions, with only a marginal increase in new consumer loans. This declining trend reflects a broader market caution as the economic environment adapts to changing interest rates.

Comparative Insights Within The Euro Area

Cyprus’ loan interest rates remain close to the euro area median, although still slightly above regional averages. Household loans averaged 4.05% in July compared to the euro area’s 3.96%, and non-financial corporate loans stood at 4.31% versus a regional average of 3.79%. These comparisons highlight the competitive yet distinct positioning of Cyprus within the broader European financial landscape.

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Figma Introduces AI-Enhanced Code-To-Canvas Feature As Tech Market Volatility Grows

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 18, 2026

Integrating AI With Design

Figma, in collaboration with Anthropic, has launched an innovative feature called Code to Canvas. This advancement transforms code generated by artificial intelligence tools such as Claude Code into fully editable designs within Figma’s digital canvas. By bridging the gap between AI-driven code and design refinement, the new tool empowers teams to refine, compare, and finalize design options with greater efficiency.

Reinforcing The Role Of Design

The integration underscores a broader strategic belief: even as AI automates the initial creation of interfaces, the human element in design remains indispensable. Although this partnership equips teams with a faster on-ramp to usability, it also carries the risk that as AI tools mature, the traditional design process may be circumvented entirely. This delicate balance between automation and creative oversight is reshaping how products are built and refined.

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Market Reactions And The SaaS Landscape

Figma’s latest move comes at a time when the software as a service (SaaS) sector is experiencing significant turbulence. The market has broadly punished SaaS stocks, with flagship names including Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Intuit suffering double-digit declines. The iShares Software ETF has also entered bear market territory, reflecting investor concerns over a broader ‘SaaSpocalypse.’

Stock Performance And Future Outlook

Figma, which experienced a dramatic stock decline since its IPO last summer, has not been immune to these market forces. As it prepares to report earnings after Wednesday’s market close, Figma’s stock has fallen nearly 85% from its 52-week high of $142.92 reached in August. This steep drop emphasizes the challenges even industry leaders face amid a shifting economic landscape.

As Figma continues to innovate at the intersection of design and AI, industry observers will be keenly watching both the technological impact and the broader market reaction to these bold strategic moves.