COMPANIES in Spain and Germany are finding it easier to borrow but Greek firms are struggling to secure funding despite an overall improvement in credit availability across the eurozone, the European Central Bank (ECB) said Tuesday.

    Its biannual survey of lending conditions illustrates the stark differences between prosperous and poor countries in the 19-member currency bloc.

    In particular, it highlighted the drastic situation facing Greek companies, where profits are tumbling and access to credit is being choked off as the government wrangles with European backers to avoid a possible default on sovereign debt.

    While on balance 29 percent of small companies surveyed in Germany and 11 percent in Spain reported higher turnover in March 2015, 18 percent of Greek companies saw theirs dip. In Italy, 12 percent of firms, on balance, saw a fall in turnover.

    To compound the problem in Greece and a number of other countries, access to finance is getting ever harder. On balance, almost 30 percent of Greek companies signaled difficulties getting a loan or overdraft.

    The research illustrates the differences across the uneasy alliance of countries that make up the eurozone, despite a gradual and wider economic improvement. (SD-Agencies)