A useful additional benefit of this database is that it provides us with a range of timely insights into the market for housing loans. I’ve discussed how things like actual interest rates paid, loan balances and arrears vary over time and across different types of mortgages and borrowers.
From a longer-term perspective, one can appreciate, for example, that the current situation of price stability is a great improvement on the situation in many countries in recent decades. Making the euro a lasting success is of course an ongoing process and indeed, in line with the title of Hans’ speech, “a permanent challenge and task”.