Philenews

Smaller Deposits in Banks from Households

Published February 27, 2026, 09:16
Smaller Deposits in Banks from Households

In January 2026, a decrease in deposits was observed in Cypriot banks, amounting to €851.2 million, compared to an increase of €877.1 million in December 2025. Despite the monthly decrease, total deposits in January reached €56.97 billion, representing an annual increase of €1.08 billion. The decrease in deposits in January is attributed to seasonal factors, such as the non-payment of a 13th-month salary. Specifically, deposits from residents of Cyprus decreased to €49.86 billion from €51.18 billion in December, while increasing by €1.97 billion year-on-year. In the household category, deposits increased by €34.2 million, while businesses experienced a decrease of €469.7 million. Deposits from the general government and financial organizations also decreased, while deposits from insurance companies and pension funds increased. The annual deposit growth rate in January was 5.3%, down from 6.5% in December 2025 and 6.9% in January 2025. Simultaneously, total loans increased by €76.4 million in January, compared to €587.2 million in December. The annual loan growth rate reached 11.2%, while the outstanding loan balance amounted to €26.9 billion. The Central Bank emphasizes the need to increase lending, as the high deposit base creates conditions for strengthening loan disbursements. However, the data released does not distinguish between new loans and loans resulting from the renegotiation of loan terms.