Italian credit requests rose across multiple sectors in October, driven by a 23.2% annual surge in Buy Now Pay Later services and a sharp 12.5% monthly acceleration in mortgage applications, according to the latest Experian credit report.
- Buy Now Pay Later transactions expanded 23.2% year-on-year, with the average requested amount climbing to 197 euros.
- Mortgage requests jumped 12.5% compared to September, pushing the average loan size to 126,119 euros.
- Personal loans advanced 15.6% annually against a backdrop where the six-month Euribor stood at 2.97% in October.
Mortgages marked the most pronounced monthly acceleration in October, advancing 12.5% over September levels while showing a 1.1% increase compared to October 2025. The average requested amount for a home loan reached 126,119 euros, representing a 2.4% increase on the month and a 6.5% rise year-on-year.
Lending patterns varied by geography during the period. The southern regions posted a 7.8% annual increase in mortgage inquiries, driven by a 21.4% jump in Campania. Naples stood out among major cities with a 17.2% rise, whereas northern hubs experienced contractions, including a 3.5% decline in Milan and a 15.8% drop in Turin.
Demographic trends showed that borrowers aged 18 to 30, designated as Generation Z, generated the highest annual increase in demand at 14.5%, capturing 19.3% of total applications. However, Millennials aged 31 to 45 retained the largest market share at 46.9%.
The Buy Now Pay Later sector recorded the steepest annual climb among all evaluated credit products, expanding 23.2% compared to October 2025 and 10.9% over September figures. The average ticket size for these short-term installment transactions reached 197 euros, up 11.9% from the previous year.
Consumers under 45 drove the expansion, with Millennials and Generation Z accounting for 67.4% of total BNPL requests. Among the youngest cohort, demand grew 28.1% on an annual basis, while the Northeast of Italy registered the highest regional increase at 33.4%.
| Credit Product | Monthly Change (vs. Sept) | Annual Change (vs. Oct 2025) | Average Amount Requested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) | +10.9% | +23.2% | 197 euros |
| Mortgages | +12.5% | +1.1% | 126,119 euros |
| Personal Loans | -2.4% | +15.6% | 9,453 euros |
| Revolving Cards | +6.8% | +16.4% | Not specified |
Personal loans advanced 15.6% annually, despite contracting 2.4% compared to September. The average size for these loans hit 9,453 euros, marking a 5.2% monthly increase, while revolving credit and cards grew 16.4% year-on-year and 6.8% over the month.
Secured consumer financing for specific purchases increased 2.85% monthly and 4.7% annually, with an average value of 2,197 euros. Vehicle financing remained the primary category at 53.6% of requests, though both new and used car loans retreated across monthly and annual comparisons.
Conversely, financing for home furnishings rose 6.9% and appliances grew 5.7% over September. Home renovations recorded gains on both timelines at 4.9% monthly and 2.3% annually, while aesthetics-related credit climbed 71.6% year-on-year to account for roughly 1.2% of total demand.
These borrowing shifts unfolded amid an elevated interest rate climate. The six-month Euribor stood at 2.97% in October, remaining 84 basis points above the level recorded in November 2025.
Commenting on the broader credit trends, Armando Capone, administrator delegato of Experian Italia, pointed to the duality of current consumer demand. “The data show the coexistence between long-term needs, such as buying a home, and more flexible tools to finance consumption and daily expenses,” Capone said.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
