In the fourth quarter of 2023, Eurozone banks, according to the European Central Bank (ECB), tightened their credit standards less than anticipated. Simultaneously, there was a significant decrease in loan demand. The ECB's quarterly lending report suggests that credit availability in the Eurozone is poised to remain weak in 2024. The percentage of banks with stricter corporate credit standards exceeded those with looser standards by 4 points, contrary to the expected tightening balance of 7 points, as forecasted by the banks themselves. Projections for the first quarter of 2024 indicate a tightening balance of 9.