Eurozone home loans hit two-year high

Figures from the European Central Bank showed that this is the highest rate of annual mortgage borrowing growth seen across the 16-country region since September 2008.

A report in the Financial Times said that this suggests a rising confidence among housebuyers, who are taking advantage of low interest rates particularly in countries less affected by public funding crises.

Eurozone mortgage lending peaked in early 2006, with annual growth of 12%, before property markets collapsed in countries such as France and Spain.

Yet, mortgage lending has risen since the end of last year in the eurozone's largest countries, including France, Italy and Spain.