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Robust Cyprus Loan Growth: Annual Lending Up 11.2% Amid Deposit Contraction

Market Overview

The Cyprus banking sector is witnessing a notable shift as annual loan growth edges upward to 11.2%, despite a significant contraction in overall deposit levels. The latest report from the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) underscores these contrasting trends, signaling a dynamic market environment.

Declining Deposits

According to the CBC’s most recent MFIs deposits and loans statistics, total deposits plunged by €851.2 million in January 2026, reversing the net increase of €877.1 million recorded in December 2025. This decline reflects a decreasing momentum in deposit accumulation, with an annual growth rate dropping from 6.5% to 5.3%. The outstanding deposits now stand at €56.9 billion, with Cyprus residents’ deposits alone falling by €767.7 million. In a nuanced breakdown, household deposits experienced a modest uptick of €34.2 million, while non-financial corporations saw a decrease of €469.7 million, and other domestic sectors collectively dropped by €332.2 million.

Expanding Loan Portfolios

In contrast to deposit trends, the credit market has shown marked resilience. Total loans increased by €76.4 million in January 2026, albeit down from the €587.2 million net growth recorded in the previous month. More notably, the annual expansion of total loans accelerated, rising to 11.2% from 10.7%, bringing the current loan portfolio to €26.9 billion. The demand for credit is particularly evident among Cyprus residents, whose loans jumped by €124.2 million. Meanwhile, loans to non-financial corporations only grew by €22.6 million, and household borrowing remained static. Other domestic sectors contributed an additional €101.5 million in new loans.

Implications for Stakeholders

This divergent trend between deposit contraction and loan expansion may compel stakeholders to reassess liquidity and credit risk frameworks. Analysts suggest that while the robust loan growth indicates a healthy appetite for borrowing, the simultaneous decline in deposits could signal liquidity pressures, necessitating tighter risk management strategies among financial institutions.

Conclusion

The evolving financial landscape in Cyprus, marked by a strong loan growth rate and diminishing deposit volumes, presents both opportunities and challenges. As the CBC continues to provide granular insights into these trends, market participants must remain vigilant, balancing growth ambitions with prudent liquidity management.

EU Farm Output Prices Decline For The First Time In Nine Months

EU Market Adjustments Signal New Price Trends

Agricultural output prices across the European Union declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a shift after several quarters of increases. Data from Eurostat shows that farm gate prices fell by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024.

Crisis of Declining Prices In Select Markets

Cyprus recorded one of the more notable decreases in agricultural input costs among EU member states, with prices falling by 2.6% compared with Q4 2024. The reduction eased cost pressures for the local agricultural sector following periods of higher prices earlier in 2025. Across the EU, prices for goods and services consumed in agriculture remained relatively stable. Non-investment inputs such as energy, fertilisers and feedingstuffs showed limited overall changes during the quarter.

Country-Specific Divergence In Price Movements

Eurostat data highlights considerable variation across member states. Fifteen EU countries recorded declines in agricultural output prices. Belgium registered the largest decrease at 12.9%, followed by Lithuania (8.2%) and Germany (6.0%). At the same time, twelve countries reported increases in output prices. Ireland recorded the strongest rise at 6.8%, followed by Slovenia (5.6%) and Malta (4.2%).

Stability In Agricultural Inputs Amid Commodity Shifts

Agricultural input prices also showed mixed developments. Eleven member states recorded declines, including Cyprus (2.6%), Belgium (2.1%) and Sweden (2.0%). Other countries experienced moderate increases, including Lithuania (4.2%), Ireland (3.3%) and Romania (2.5%). Among major agricultural commodities, milk prices declined by 4.1% while cereal prices fell by 8.9% across the EU. In contrast, fertilisers and soil improvers increased by 7.9%, reflecting continued volatility in input markets.

Outlook For EU Agriculture

The latest Eurostat data points to uneven price developments across the EU agricultural sector. While input prices remained broadly stable in many markets, movements in output prices varied significantly between member states. These trends highlight the need for farmers and policymakers to adapt to shifting commodity prices and changing cost structures across the European agricultural market.

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