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Consumer participation in the credit market during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

Author

Listed:
  • Charalambakis, Evangelos
  • Teppa, Federica
  • Tsiortas, Athanasios

Abstract

This paper analyses the consumer’s decision to apply for credit and the probability of the credit being accepted in the euro area during a period characterized by the unprecedented concomitance of events and changing borrowing conditions linked to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We use data between 2020Q1 and 2023Q2 from the ECB’s Consumer Expectations Survey. We find that the credit demand is highest when the first lockdown ends and drops when supportive monetary compensation schemes are implemented. There is evidence that constrained households are significantly less likely to apply for credit. Credit is more likely to be accepted under favourable borrowing conditions and after the approval of national recovery plans. We also find that demographic, economic factors, perceptions and expectations are associated with the demand for credit and the credit grant. JEL Classification: C23, D12, D14, G51

Suggested Citation

  • Charalambakis, Evangelos & Teppa, Federica & Tsiortas, Athanasios, 2024. "Consumer participation in the credit market during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond," Working Paper Series 2922, European Central Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20242922
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    consumer expectations survey; consumer finance; credit applications; liquidity constraints;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth

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