Data shows euro zone economy steadier, but still weak  Wednesday
30 January 2013 13.00 Latest euro zone figures show improving
consumer optimism Latest euro zone figures show improving
consumer optimism  The euro area's economy is making faltering
progress toward recovery.  The latest round of figures today
showed improving consumer optimism and steadier bank finances -
but weak demand for loans from businesses.   This was the third
monthly increase in a row.   The survey is a modestly hopeful
sign as the euro zone struggles to get out of a recession that
saw its economy shrink in the second and third quarters of 2012.
A drawn-out crisis over too much government debt is weighing on
growth as countries cut back on spending to reduce their
deficits. But the sentiment indicator still remains well below
its long term average of 100 for 1999-2012.  The European
Central Bank expects the economy to shrink 0.3% throughout the
course of 2013, but to make a modest recovery later on in the
year.  Bank lending data from