Commercial lending

Analysts are increasingly focused on rising office property vacancy rates, driven by remote-work trends and higher costs of living. They are worried that cash-strapped landlords could default on loans and cause losses in banks' CRE portfolios.

René Jones explained to shareholders how breakdowns occurred following the bank's acquisition of People's United Financial. An analyst called the remarks a "big mea culpa."

About 40% of smaller firms applied for private-sector financing last year, which was up from 25% in 2021, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve banks. The results suggest a return to pre-pandemic credit needs, but borrowers now have different plans for the use of financing.

The New York megabank unveiled the most complete accounting to date of its carbon footprint, and pledged to further reduce emissions from various high-emitting industries. Climate activists offered a mix of praise and concern.

The small businesses said in a lawsuit that the bank used "misleading marketing and business practices" to rake in processing fees from oversized Paycheck Protection Program loans. A bank spokesperson placed responsibility on PPP borrowers for the representations they made in loan applications.

The rise of e-commerce during the pandemic has fueled demand for warehouse space as companies look to move their products closer to their customers. While a slight slowdown is now under way, bankers still see plenty of business ahead.

Octaura, an electronic portal backed by seven global banks, completed its first syndicated loan trades earlier this month.

The North Carolina bank's new financing program will allow electric car buyers to include the cost of an at-home charging station in their auto loan.

In a reversal from five years ago, six of the eight biggest U.S. banks by branch count now offer the loans, which observers see as safer alternatives to payday loans.

Rising inventories and the specter of regulation may make it seem like the pandemic auto boom is over, but broader trends could make it a profitable business if banks do it right.

North Carolina-based First Citizens blamed a rise in problem credit on certain office loans that it acquired in the CIT Group merger. Connecticut-based Webster also expressed caution about the segment, which has been impacted by remote work policies.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is standing by the state's commercial financing disclosure law, urging more protections for small-business financings and arguing that federal consumer law does not not apply to commercial lending.

The lending software and shared services provider was created by bankers for bankers.

A new Risk Management Association survey found that 84% of small lenders cite credit quality as a leading worry for 2023 because of the likelihood of a recession.

The Tupelo, Mississippi-based institution hasn't made a bank deal since 2018, but it has acquired two asset-based lenders in the past 10 months.

Commercial loans at federally insured credit unions increased 25% to $132.2 billion in the third quarter of 2022, even though many institutions are facing a tough job market. Their answer is to find strong candidates within their own ranks.

Banks and other lenders revived special-purpose credit programs after racial-equity protests in 2020 prompted them to reexamine their services for historically underserved groups. Now they're taking those initiatives nationwide.

The Paycheck Protection Program proved successful in providing small-business owners with funds to keep workers employed — but it was also a magnet for criminals. Here is a rundown of fraud probes, prosecutions and potential long-term consequences for commercial lending.