Interest rates

Consumer loan balances fell in July for the first time since 2020 as banks have tightened lending standards in response to rising rates and jettisoned assets to bolster liquidity and capital levels.

Community bankers anticipate that interest rates could soon level off and the broader economy may avert a downturn as a result. If that forecast proves true, lenders could minimize credit losses and enjoy stronger loan demand than they had expected earlier in the year.

During the recent banking crisis, both businesses and wealth management clients moved their money out of banks. Commercial deposits have since recovered, but those in wealth accounts continue to decline amid fierce competition from both inside and outside the banking system.

The Seattle bank, which has lost about two-thirds of its market value this year, is also said to be considering raising capital and selling assets.

In 18 states, consumers are not allowed to use trained debt resolution professionals to seek relief from their creditors. That needs to change.

Banks locked in funding by offering more enticing rates on certificates of deposit last quarter, but rebuilding liquidity came at a cost. Competition isn't dying down either, with a couple of credit unions floating 6% CD rates.

High interest rates could dampen demand for refinancing, which took a hit during the pandemic-era pause in federal student loan payments. "Curb your enthusiasm," one analyst said.

With LIBOR's long-awaited sunset, the future of interest rate benchmarking must be defined by choice.

In an online commentary published Wednesday, the Atlanta Fed president said he agreed with the view that "the bar to justify further rate hikes is higher than it was a few months ago."

Bank of America had a 55% increase in new clients in May, and the lender is planning to bulk up staffing to keep up with demand. 

Bond traders have overestimated month-over-month headline inflation heading into four of the last seven Consumer Price Index releases, says strategist Raghav Datla.

When the once-ubiquitous interest rate goes away at the end of June, some businesses that have older loans may see a sudden jump in their payments. Banks, lawyers and business leaders are doing last-minute work to avoid that scenario.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams says there is no evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended the era of very low interest rates experienced before the crisis, although growth may be slower in the long run.

The regional bank started making moves to protect deposits last year, which prevented steeper declines during a volatile first quarter, CEO Tim Spence says.

Executives and financial strategists are considering derivatives as a hedge against rising interest rates.

In an open letter to National Credit Union Administration Chairman Todd Harper, NAFCU's B. Dan Berger calls for the 89-year-old interest rate ceiling to be reconsidered.

More credit unions are diversifying their investments and accessing federal funding from multiple sources to shore up against risk.

The amount of U.S. junk bonds has fallen 11% from its peak in October 2021 to $1.41 trillion, according to a Bloomberg index tracking corporate high-yield debt.

Rates are rising and maturities are shortening in unsecured commercial paper, raising the possibility of a credit crunch and further regulatory intervention.

Financial tightening stemming from two recent bank collapses has served as its own check on inflation, according to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. He said the relatively small rate hike announced Wednesday was not the result of financial stability concerns.