Figures highlight stark slowdown in consumer borrowing
The latest monthly statistics from the Central Bank show further evidence of the stark slowdown in Ireland's housing market.
The bank says the value of outstanding residential mortgages rose by €713m during February, the lowest monthly increase in five years.
Elsewhere, the annual rate of increase in credit-card debt (8.2%) has also declined for the sixth consecutive month.
Over the past two months, credit-card holders have actually repaid more than they have spent, bringing total outstanding debt down to €2.9bn.
Economist Jim Power says the figures show that consumers are being more cautious with their spending.
He says this is actually desirable from an economic point of view because the growth in debt levels in recent years was unsustainable.
