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Higher and stricter requirements on the banks have had small effects on lending rates to households and firms. The banks’ mortgage margins decreased slightly during the third quarter. These are the conclusions from FI's quarterly report on the banks' interest rates and lending.
Swedish banks have adapted to the higher, stricter requirements placed on them following the financial crisis and they are therefore currently well-capitalised. In addition, the higher requirements contribute to a more stable financial system, which has positive effects on the economy. However, FI has found that the effects of the higher requirements on lending rates to firms and households are small.
Swedish banks continued to lend to households and firms, even though Swedish authorities are placing higher requirements on the banks than what is the case in other countries. At the end of the third quarter, lending to households for housing purposes rose 5.1 per cent and corporate lending 1 per cent.
FI's quarterly reporting on the banks' mortgage margins shows that the margins decreased slightly during the year, compared to 2012 when they were historically high. This trend of lower margins has continued even during the third quarter. After all mortgage-related costs are deducted from the lending rate, the margin is 0.55 percentage points.
