The growth of Italian residents’ deposits at domestic banks accelerated in March while bank lending to businesses continued to fall, albeit at a slower pace, the Bank of Italy said on Monday.
Deposits increased 1.7% year-on-year in March after rising 1.4% in February, central bank data showed.
On a month-on-month basis, they were up to 2.29 trillion euros ($2.54 trillion) from 2.28 in February.
Bank loans to businesses fell 1.1% year-on-year, the central bank said, following a 2.1% decline in February.
Banks halved their bond issuance, data also showed, with sales up 3.3% year-on-year in March after a 6.4% rise in February.
($1 = 0.9003 euros)