Spain bad debt rate slows in June but still high

Bad loans held by Spanish banks fell in June after two consecutive months of rises, data showed, but they held at levels not seen for 14 years as property-related losses continue to weigh on lenders' balance sheets.

Soured loans including debt issued by credit cards and other financial institutions edged down to 5.35 percent of total loanbooks from 5.5 percent in May, the Bank of Spain said on Wednesday.

The total amount of bad loans declined by 1.36 billion euros ($1.75 billion) to 98.91 billion.

Bad loans at the country's savings banks, heavily exposed to a property bubble in Spain that is now deflating, fell by 1.45 billion euros to 43.38 billion, with the rate dropping to 5.31 percent from 5.51 percent.

European stress tests released on July 23 showed Spain's banking system was largely healthy, even though five smaller banks failed. Last week the ECB urged Spain's savings banks to recapitalise.

Bad loans held by Spain's private banks fell to 5.32 percent from 5.42 percent.