New data from the Central Bank reveals the interest rate on outstanding loans for house purchase remained unchanged at 2.73 per cent in January, 38 basis points above euro zone rates.

The rate on all new floating rate loan agreements for house purchase meanwhile stood at 3.26 per cent, as against a euro rate of 2.3 per cent.

The weighed average interest rate on new non-financial corporation loans up to €1 million increased by 23 basis points to 5.09 per cent, some 210 basis points above the euro zone rate.

According to the Central Bank, the weighted average interest rate on outstanding household term deposits fell to 1.64 per cent at the end of January.