In the first nine months of 2006 signs of improvement were recorded in all the main branches of industry in Umbria. Construction activity suffered from the diminution in public works, which contrasted with the favourable trend in residential building. Employment increased and recourse to the Wage Supplementation Fund declined.
In the first six months of the year lending to households and firms continued to grow at high rates, especially as regards consumer households and firms connected with the real-estate sector. Loan quality did not change significantly. Fund-raising grew at about the same pace as in 2005.
