Deposit rates in Cyprus increased in April, remaining the highest in the Eurozone, while the consumer loans rate decreased and is one of the lowest in the Eurozone.

Data released on Friday by the European Central Bank also showed that the home loan rate was up in the fourth month of the year and is also the highest in the Eurozone, as is the business loan rate, for amounts over one million euro.

The interest rate on deposits of households with an agreed maturity of up to one year increased to 1.58%, compared to 1.52% in the previous month and is the highest in the Eurozone, followed by 1.52% in the Netherlands.

The corresponding interest rate on deposits of non-financial corporations was up, reaching 1.51%, compared to 1.36%, and is by far the highest in the Eurozone. Greece has the second highest with 0.95%.

The interest rate on consumer credit decreased to 4.36% against 4.47% in the previous month and is the fourth lowest in the Eurozone.

On the contrary the interest rate on loans for house purchase tops the list of the Euro area interest rates, rising to 3.13% from 3.11% in the previous month. Ireland has the second highest with 3.08%.

The interest rate on loans to non-financial corporations for amounts up to €1 million was down to 4.14% from 4.39% in March and the third highest in the Euro area.

In contrast, the interest rate on loans to non-financial corporations for amounts over €1 million rose to 4.61% from 3.30% in the previous month, which is the highest in the Euro area along with Greece`s 4.60%, followed by Malta`s 4.32%.