FX.co ★ Japan Bank Lending Growth Below Forecasts

Japan’s bank lending rose 5.3% year-on-year in September 2026, unchanged from August’s downwardly revised pace and below market expectations of a 5.5% increase. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 681.97 trillion. Lending by major and regional banks grew 5.7%, easing slightly from 5.8% in August. Within this category, growth in major-bank lending slowed to 7.7% from 7.8%, while lending by regional banks increased 4.1%.