LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) - U.S. domestic banks reported a widespread tightening of lending standards by the end of the first quarter of 2023 - even before the full impact of the regional banking crisis had been felt.
The net percentage of domestic banks tightening standards for commercial and industrial (C&I) loans to small businesses with annual sales below $50 million hit +47% at the end of the first quarter.
The net percentage tightening small business C&I standards has risen to levels usually associated with recession, based on past results from the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices (SLOOS).
Banks are likely pre-empting a slowdown in the business cycle and increase in unemployment, widely expected since late 2022, which will increase defaults.
As the price of credit increases and its availability becomes more restricted, the slowdown in small business and household spending will act as another headwind for the economy.
Persons:
Banks, John Kemp, Sharon Singleton
Organizations:
Federal Reserve, Senior, Bank Lending, Thomson, Reuters
Locations:
U.S