US Bank Lending Slumps by Most on Record in Final Weeks of March
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US Bank Lending Slumps by Most on Record in Final Weeks of March

Posted on January 29, 2025

US bank lending contracted by the most on record in the last two weeks of March, indicating a tightening of credit conditions in the wake of several high-profile bank collapses that risks damaging the economy.

Commercial bank lending dropped nearly $105 billion in the two weeks ended March 29, the most in Federal Reserve data back to 1973. The more than $45 billion decrease in the latest week was primarily due to a a drop in loans by small banks.