Commercial lending

Executives from a half-dozen major financial institutions avoided detailed commercial lending forecasts and gave a mixed outlook on consumer credit at an industry conference. And they called on Washington to pass an aid package targeted at the most troubled business sectors as soon as it can.

The agency's "no-action" letter is intended to provide more regulatory certainty for the bank after it announced a short-term credit product available to checking account customers next year.

Asked about the political uncertainty surrounding the undecided presidential race, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank isn’t wavering from its duty “to support the economy during this difficult time.”

Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and others cut back on 7(a) lending to focus on originating Paycheck Protection Program loans. Smaller banks such as Live Oak and Byline gained market share by targeting niche industries and originating bigger loans.

A prosperous decade leading up to the pandemic had left lenders in good shape, but they're worried the economic shock to the state's most vital industry could linger into 2022.

On Jun. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

Credit is tightening to 2008 levels at a time when small businesses need help the most, former SBA chief Karen Gordon Mills says.

Professional Holding has opened an office close to Boston to make loans to aspiring CEOs — often recent business school graduates — who are looking to buy their first businesses.

Underwhelming participation in the middle-market loan program has forced the central bank to reduce the minimum borrowing amount for the third time, to $100,000.

Many eateries that relied on outdoor dining to survive the pandemic could see revenues plummet as the weather turns cold.