The European Central Bank’s unprecedented inspection of lenders’ books will help end a slump in lending that’s dogged southern Europe for years, said executives at some of the region’s largest banks. “After the comprehensive assessment, when worries about capital levels are clarified, banks will be more open with credit,” said Giuseppe Castagna, 55, chief executive officer of Italy’s Banca Popolare di Milano Scarl. He’s targeting annual loan growth of about 5 percent through 2016, following a 4.2 percent drop last year. ECB President Mario Draghi is using the yearlong review to restore confidence in the financial ... (full story)