In January 2026, a significant widening of the interest rate margin between deposits and loans was reported by the Bank of Greece. According to the data, banks kept the deposit interest rates nearly the same at 0.32%, while there was a noticeable increase in the interest rates for new loans, which rose to 4.67%. This change resulted in an interest rate gap that expanded to 4.35 percentage points, up from 3.90% in December 2025. This situation indicates that banks are adjusting their pricing strategies in response to market demands, possibly reflecting a change in lending policies due to economic factors.

Moreover, the average interest rate for deposits with agreed duration of up to one year for households saw a minor increase of 5 basis points, reaching 1.14%. In contrast, the interest rates for corporate deposits remained unchanged at 1.72%. On the lending side, the average weighted interest rate for all new loans provided to households and businesses experienced a substantial increase of 46 basis points, setting it at 4.67%. This upward trend signifies a potential tightening of credit conditions, which could impact consumer borrowing and spending behaviors significantly.

Overall, this development suggests a shift in bank strategies that could lead to higher borrowing costs for consumers and businesses. The implications could be far-reaching, affecting the overall economic climate as both consumer confidence and spending may be influenced by these changes in interest rates. Such movements warrant close monitoring by economic stakeholders, including policymakers and financial analysts, as they could play a crucial role in shaping financial trends in Greece in the near future.