German EconMin urges banks to free up credit flow

BERLIN Nov 19 (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said on Thursday development banks may have to issue credit directly if commercial banks continue to refuse to lend.

Bruederle, who was speaking at a trade conference in Berlin, urged commercial banks to lend more.

"This is an appeal to the banks: those who have received the support of taxpayers in difficult times, should return to old practises of issuing credit when times are better," he said.

He added that if this did not happen, development banks may need to be allowed to issue credit directly. (Reporting by Gernot Heller)