Lenders See Process Becoming Streamlined

Bank lending will become more streamlined toward the end of the millenium, according to an informal poll conducted by Robert Morris Associates.

About 50 of the trade group's bankers said they expected more centralized underwriting and processing for homogeneous products such as small business lending and retail products.

The poll also suggested an increasing emphasis on credit scoring, asset securitization and standardization, and automation.

The bankers thought the industry would continue to get top heavy, with the largest 50 institutions holding between 50% and 90% of the industry's assets.

Currently, the largest 50 institutions hold approximately 45% of banking assets.

Bankers think consolidation will create centralized control, greater use of decision-making and risk-management technology, and intense competition.

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