register now for free unlimited access to reuterscom register a shopper pays with a euro bank note in a market in nice france april 3 2019 reuterseric gaillard frankfurt sept 27 reuters  euro zone companies extended their borrowing binge in august taking on bank loans at the fastest pace since 2008 despite rising interest rates european central bank data showed on tuesday bank lending to companies rose by 87 in august from 76 in july while lending to households grew at a steady 45 the data showed the ecb started raising interest rates in july to try to cool recordhigh inflation but so far this has not discouraged borrowing from banks which have been slower than financial markets in raising their lending rates