The banking sector in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (CESEE) has strong growth potential, according to a new survey by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Credit demand from both businesses and households in the region is robust, supported mainly by consumer and housing loans, the CESEE Bank Lending Survey for the first half of 2026 shows. At the same time, credit supply in CESEE is projected to soften slightly, reflecting a reduced readiness to extend loans to large companies.