UK mortgage lending falls in February

Mortgage lending saw a surprise decline in February but credit conditions brightened for Britain’s smaller businesses, Bank of England figures showed today.

Euro zone inflation drops to lowest since 2009

(Reuters) - Euro zone inflation hit its lowest level since November 2009 in March, a shock drop that raises expectations the European Central Bank will take radical action to stop the threat of deflation in the currency bloc.

Spain Falls Into Deflation, Upping Pressure On ECB

MADRID (AP) — Spain's inflation rate dipped into negative territory this month, official data showed Friday, a development likely to add pressure on the European Central Bank to ease its monetary policies.

Euro zone banks slow crisis loan returns as extra cash falls

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The pace at which euro zone banks are repaying their crisis loans to the European Central Bank has slowed significantly as extra cash in the system reaches critically low levels.

Euro-Area Economic Confidence Increases More Than Expected

Euro-area economic confidence increased more than analysts forecast in March, easing pressure on the European Central Bank to take action next week to counter low inflation and spur growth.