Bank of Italy-fall in loans to business, households- update2

(ANSA) - Rome, February 9 - Loans to businesses and households in Italy fell in December compared with the same time one year earlier, the Bank of Italy said Monday.
    Private-sector loans fell by 1.6% compared with December 2013 but levels were basically unchanged from November, it added.
    Loans to households fell by 0.5% year over year and loans to non-financial businesses dropped by 2.3% compared with December 2013, the central bank reported. Businesses have struggled to stay afloat amid an economic crisis and recession that date back to 2008.