Finland Times

 

Photo AFP - Lehtikuva

The terms and conditions for euro-denominated securities eased during the three-month period ending February, the European Central Bank (ECB) said on Thursday.

     

The ECB released the result of a survey on credit terms and conditions in euro-denominated securities financing and Over-the-Counter (OTC) derivatives markets on Thursday. It showed that credit terms became less stringent from December 2013 to February 2014.

     

Credit terms have eased for the majority of counterparty types over the past three months. Credit terms for funding that is collateralized by euro-denominated securities have become less stringent for most collateral types since the December 2013 survey, said an ECB press release.

     

By contrast, credit terms for non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives, on balance, either tightened or remained basically unchanged, it added.

     

The ECB survey is conducted four times a year and covers changes in credit terms and conditions over the three-month reference periods ending in February, May, August and November. The results are based on responses from a panel of 28 large banks, comprising 13 euro area banks and 15 banks with head offices outside the euro area.