Bad loans jumped almost 18% in 2014

(ANSA) - Milan, February 17 - The long-standing weakness in the Italian economy led to a jump of 17.8% in non-performing loans last year compared with 2013, the Association of Italian Bankers (ABI) reported Tuesday. Bad loans totalled 183.7 billion euros in 2015 and in November, bad loans had grown by 2.5 billion euros, it said. However, demand for consumer and business credit began to rise near the end of 2014, suggesting positive signs for the economy. Loans to business rose by 12.1% in the fourth quarter, and consumer credit gained 9.2%.