Credit quality

The online lender posted a profit for the sixth consecutive quarter, as higher margins helped offset a decline in loan originations.

Executives say they are passing on more loans as bank and nonbank competitors cut rates and forgo traditional safeguards.

It has already been modifying more problem loans and investing in efforts to recover charged-off loans, and now the credit card lender is ready to tighten underwriting in case the economy weakens.

The company says the upgrade will support future digital investments. It also said Tuesday that third-quarter profits climbed 8% but reported a sharp increase in criticized business loans.

While demand is strong and loan performance generally remains solid, the prevalence of longer loan terms has sparked concern that losses will eventually spike.

Its quarterly results show lower rates and emerging credit risks can be overcome. Whether most banks have all the same levers to pull is another matter.

Slowdowns in new factory orders and production, largely tied to the trade war with China, could translate to more defaults among industrial clients.

Bankers are expected to field numerous questions on third-quarter earnings calls about the threat of shrinking loan yields, stubbornly high deposit prices and what they're going to do about them.

Caught in the middle of a credit-subsidy debate, the program would have shut down on Tuesday without congressional action.

The Dallas company inherited the loan relationship from a bank it bought in 2017.