Commercial lending

Credit outlook brightens, but recovery hinges on vaccinations: ABA

03/19/21

Bank economists predict further improvement in the quality and availability of consumer and business credit now that a third stimulus package has been approved. Still, COVID-19 vaccine distribution will determine how quickly the U.S. economy rebounds.

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Don’t steer lenders to one Libor alternative

03/17/21

Providing incentives for banks to transition legacy loan contracts from the London interbank offered rate to the new Secured Overnight Financing Rate, as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget does, is a gift to megabanks and limits pricing options for smaller lenders.

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Small Minnesota bank's novel hire: Chief M&A officer

03/12/21

Acquisition-hungry Stearns Bank has been fielding so many calls from would-be sellers that it has brought in a merger specialist to sort through them.

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Regional banks wonder: When’s the right time to release loss reserves?

03/10/21

M&T Bank, Citizens Financial and Huntington Bancshares are playing it safe even as some of their counterparts have started to trim allowances in response to government stimulus efforts and rapid progress in the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.

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A business deposit account that sweeps cash into green projects

03/04/21

MUFG Union Bank is offering a new deposit product to commercial clients who want to see their cash reserves used to help finance sustainable projects, such as renewable energy or green transportation.

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New bill provides some exemptions from credit union commercial loan cap

03/02/21

Bipartsan legislation introduced Monday would permit loans made as part of the COVID-19 relief effort not to county against limits on member business lending.

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On Fraser’s first day as Citi CEO, a net-zero emissions pledge

03/01/21

Citigroup is one of the world's largest lenders to the fossil fuel industry, but CEO Jane Fraser vowed on Monday that the bank would achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions in its financing activities by 2050.

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CRE lenders’ growing fear: Office workers won’t come back

02/28/21

Already contending with stressed retail, hotel and restaurant loans, bankers are beginning to view office lending — historically a safe bet — as increasingly risky as companies of all types rethink their space needs.

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Heat's on lenders to reduce climate risk. Big question is how.

02/26/21

Going green takes time, so lenders need to start revamping entire business relationships now, according to one sustainability-focused nonprofit. That process could include setting environmental goals for fossil-fuels companies and other customers that are conditions for continuing to finance them.

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Ag lenders more upbeat as crop prices soar

02/25/21

Soybean, corn and wheat are trading at their highest levels since 2014, meaning farmers are more likely to catch up on loan payments and pursue expansions that require them to take out more loans.

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