BERLIN (Reuters) – Around one in four German companies currently seeking new loans are reporting restraint from lenders as high inflation and concerns over energy supply rattle Europe’s largest economy, according to a survey published on Monday.
The figure – 24.3% – is the highest seen since 2017, said the Ifo institute, which conducted the survey.
“The difficult economic climate is currently making banks more cautious,” said Klaus Wohlrabe, Ifo’s head of surveys.
“Without new loans, some companies might struggle for economic survival,” he added.
As many as 28.8% of companies seeking credit in the services sector reported difficulties and around 35% of chemical companies and automakers in manufacturing, Ifo said. In retail, the figure was 15%.
The smallest businesses and the solo self-employed were most affected due to their dependency on bank loans, according to the institute.
Germany is headed for recession as the energy standoff with Russia, rising prices and supply bottlenecks take their toll, with the government forecasting a contraction of 0.4% next year.
(Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Louise Heavens)
