According to central bank data, the overall total of loans by 23 commercial lenders in Jordan to the private sector has reached $18.12bn (JD2.849bn) at the end of October, up 6.7 per cent since the end of December with signs of easier credit from risk-averse banks, Reuters has reported. Total loans, that include credit extended to the government and public sector, rose 6.8 per cent in the year to October to $20.11bn (JD14.228bn), compared to $18.82bn (JD13.317bn) at the end of December, the data showed.