Commercial lending

On Jun. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

The move comes a day after the Federal Reserve had balked at the Treasury Department's demand that it return funds meant for pandemic relief that have so far gone unused.

The Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials recently released a methodology for measuring the environmental impact of loans and investments, a key hurdle to the banking industry's long-term goal of net-zero emissions tied to its portfolios.

Lenders want Congress to bring back incentives used during the last recession, such as bigger subsidies and reduced fees, to jump-start participation in the Small Business Administration's flagship 7(a) program.

Community development financial institutions, which tend to be less digitally savvy than traditional banks and credit unions, are developing online-lending platforms and automating backroom processes with investments and technical assistance from big banks, high-tech firms and other sources.

More lenders and governments should partner with community development financial institutions to ensure aid reaches minority-owned businesses that are the backbone of many neighborhoods slammed by the coronavirus.

The Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility was brought back to inject $100 billion into the pandemic-battered economy, but only a fraction has been disbursed. Yet experts, pointing to its calming effects on markets, recommend that it be extended into next year.

On Jun. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

Lending opportunities have become scarce, especially with commercial borrowers, and banks are resisting the temptation to relax standards to boost volume.

The Toronto parent of BMO Harris Bank has joined a growing list of banks directing billions of dollars toward affordable housing and loans to low- and moderate-income communities.