Consumer lending

Consumers who had paid down balances during the pandemic started spending more, while issuers made additional credit available, according to researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The findings suggest the start of a return to more normal borrowing patterns in the card industry.

The bureau said two rules related to communications with debtors will go into effect as originally planned on Nov. 30. The agency had previously proposed an extension to consider consumer advocates' concerns about the regulations.

Democratic leaders in Congress want to extend the interest rate limit applying to service members to all consumers. Republicans and industry representatives warn such a broad restriction will hamper lenders' ability to price risk.

The goal is to add customers and prop up borrowing until business travel rebounds and consumers burn through their excess cash, CEO Roger Hochschild says.

Tanya Sanders, who joined the company in 2019, takes the reins as the division's loan growth is on an upswing. She will succeed Laura Schupbach, who is retiring after 26 years at Wells.

The Detroit company, one of the nation's largest car lenders, enjoyed a surge in profits during the second quarter, largely due to strong consumer demand for vehicles. But how long will the good times last?

Consumers are booking rooms at levels not seen since early 2020 and loan delinquencies have fallen sharply as a result. Still, business travel remains sluggish and new COVID variants are spreading, threatening the hotel industry’s recovery.

Bank of America expects interest income to rise as stronger borrowing outweighs the impact of low rates. The upbeat forecast is in contrast with remarks from JPMorgan Chase executives.

The company fell short of net interest income projections as loans and leases in the consumer banking unit dropped 12% from a year earlier. However, loan balances grew from the first quarter — the first sequential increase in a year.

While customers of the nation’s largest bank are spending more, an unusually small percentage of their purchases are becoming debt. Executives warn that the bank’s predicament could persist for the rest of the year.