Morningstar

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Aversion toward mortgages

Greece continues to have the worst performance in household credit, registering a consistently negative rate, which was -1.7% in January against a 0.3% increase in the eurozone, according to a report published on Thursday by DBRS Morningstar, focusing on the "slow production of new mortgage loans."

Moody’s maintains Greece below investment level

Moody's remained on Friday the only major rating agency to maintain Greece outside the investment-grade states, as it affirmed the country's credit rating at "Ba1", with a stable outlook.

Last September the agency had raised Greece's rating two notches, from "Ba3". It has therefore maintained Greece one notch before investment level.

DBRS confirms Greece’s investment grade and Stable trend

DBRS Morningstar confirmed on Friday night Greece's credit rating at BBB (low) with a stable outlook, having been the first major agency last year to restore the country's investment grade.

The Canada-based firm stated that its rating reflects its view that the risks in Greece are fairly balanced.

Record interest rate spread

One of the pillars of Greek banks' profitability has been the limited increase in interest rates on deposits, leading to the highest interest spread in the eurozone - i.e. the difference between loan interest rates and deposit interest rates.

Bonds hit 16-month high

Greek bonds outperformed their eurozone counterparts considerably on Monday, with the 5-year Greek note even matching Spanish paper, having received a boost from Greece's upgrade by Fitch Ratings on Friday night.

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