Commercial lending

The Oklahoma lender said its oil-and-gas portfolio remains a key source of stability and potential growth, despite weaker commodity prices.

At the two big banks, proposed phaseouts of lending for new fossil-fuel exploration drew less shareholder support on Tuesday than they did a year ago. The results were a blow to activists who want big banks to take stronger action to combat climate change.

Rep. Roger Williams, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, says Small Business Administration is considering allowing borrowers to self-certify eligibility for loans, a step some believe could lead to more fraud. The agency declined to say whether that is one of the changes it's considering.

Texas National Bank in Mercedes, Texas, is testing how alternative data can improve the speed and accuracy with which it lends to its small-business customers.

Reacting to a sharp uptick in charge-offs, Synchrony more than doubled its provision for credit losses during the first quarter to account for further shocks along with healthy loan-portfolio growth as more consumers revolve credit card balances.

The head of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks argues that the special lien status of Home Loan bank advances, created by legislation in the 1980s, is largely irrelevant in today's marketplace.

The hotel, retail and multifamily residential sectors are all showing signs of recovery, which is helping the regional bank. But company executives acknowledged that the firm's relatively large exposure to the office segment figures to pose challenges for some time.

Lofty fertilizer and equipment costs are forecast to cut into profits this year. Farmers are expected to seek loans to cover higher expenses, but bankers are likely to be cautious in granting credit given recessionary pressures.

Kyle Bass's expectation of more pain in the office market reflects a more widespread view that the pandemic has driven a semi-permanent shift toward remote and hybrid work that imperils lower quality buildings.

Billions were lost to fraud during PPP. Now, prosecutors are increasing efforts to recoup taxpayer money, leaving lenders worried they could be put under the microscope next.