New figures show that European banks are lending less to companies — another sign the continent's economic upswing remains less than robust.

The European Central Bank reported Friday that loans to companies slipped by 3.1 percent in November from a year earlier. The drop was sharper than the previous month's 3.0 percent.

Analysts say some companies are afraid to borrow due to uncertain growth prospects while others are sitting on adequate cash reserves.

The economy of the euro currency union — a bloc that grew from 17 to 18 members in the new year with Latvia's accession — expanded by only 0.1 percent in the third quarter last year, with unemployment at 12.1 percent. Governments' efforts to reduce debt by cutting spending and raising taxes have weighed on growth.