Lenders had started tightening as early as the fourth quarter in anticipation of a possible recession. Now, the banking crisis is driving community and regional banks in particular to hit the brakes harder, stoking renewed recessions fears.

The unusual financing is meant to help First Citizens meet liquidity needs that arise in the next two years as it integrates SVB into its operations, the Raleigh, North Carolina, lender said in a regulatory filing.

With the acquisitions of CIT Group and a large portion of the failed Silicon Valley Bank, the North Carolina company has doubled in size for the second time in a little more than a year and joined the class of super regionals.

First Citizens BancShares in North Carolina has entered into a purchase and assumption agreement for all deposits and loans of the failed bank, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. About $90 billion of securities and other assets will remain in receivership.

Net interest margin, a key earnings metric, had been rising across the industry in recent quarters. Now it could suffer at the megabanks that have gained customers amid the turmoil of the last two weeks.

Banks with strong underwriting and stress testing should be well positioned to survive the credit and liquidity issues that may come while being able to continue to serve customers.

A reasonable approach to comprehensive credit risk management can protect banks against the impact of a recession while ensuring the industry doesn't contribute to any potential economic volatility.