Lending in Europe trending back to normal

In a survey of 120 banks in the eurozone, lenders indicating demand for loans was up rose from minus 13 percent in the first quarter to minus 2 percent in the second, while lenders indicating loan demand from consumers -- mostly for mortgages -- jumped from minus 2 percent to 24 percent, The Financial Times reported Wednesday.

Deutsche Bank economist Gilles Moec said a trend towards normal lending would continue in the next six months, but "not spectacularly, because the situation is still stressed."

While demand is rising, a survey by Ifo in Germany found complaints from businesses concerning the difficulty of obtaining loans had dropped from 34 percent in June to 31.6 percent in July.

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