Cyprus’ borrowers were highly impacted in July following the European Central Bank’s decision to increase its benchmark deposit rate by 50 basis points to 0%.
The move has ended an 11-year policy of historically low-interest rates in Cyprus and the eurozone at large, Philenews reports.
At the same time, further rate hikes are most likely on the way – possibly as soon as next week in a bid by the ECB to control ever-rising inflation.
The Central Bank of Cyprus announced on Thursday that the interest rate on consumer loans increased to 3.27% in July, compared to 2.89% the previous month. This marks the highest level since February 2019 when it was 3.37%.
The interest rate on home equity loans rose to its highest level since February 2018 (2.61%) to 2.55%, compared to 2.32% the previous month.
The interest rate for loans to companies, for amounts up to €1 million, recorded an increase to 3.51%, compared to 3.36% the previous month.
Source: In-Cyprus
