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Bank lending to companies and households in the euro zone slowed slightly in April, continuing its downward move since last fall under pressure from a stagnant economy and rising interest rates, European Central Bank data showed.

Loans to businesses in the euro area rose 4.6 percent year-on-year from 5.2 percent in March, while loans to households grew by 2.5 percent, up from 2.9 percent in March.

Growth in the M3 indicator of money circulating in the euro zone slowed to 1.9 percent from 2.5 percent, below the 2.1 percent expected in a Reuters survey.

Indirectly sabotaging our accession to the euro area

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