The Federal Reserve Board eagle logo links to home page

Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices
July 2006

Survey | Full report (517 KB PDF)
Table 1 |Table 2 | Chart data
Table 1 (68 KB PDF) | Table 2 (32 KB PDF) | Charts (15 KB PDF)

Table 1

Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices
at Selected Large Banks in the United States 1

(Status of policy as of July 2006)

Questions 1-6 ask about commercial and industrial (C&I) loans at your bank. Questions 1-3 deal with changes in your bank's lending policies over the past three months. Questions 4-5 deal with changes in demand for C&I loans over the past three months. Question 6 asks about changes in prospective demand for C&I loans at your bank, as indicated by the volume of recent inquiries about the availability of new credit lines or increases in existing lines. If your bank's lending policies have not changed over the past three months, please report them as unchanged even if the policies are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's policies have tightened or eased over the past three months, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing policies as changes in policies.

1. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for C&I loans or credit lines--other than those to be used to finance mergers and acquisitions--to large and middle-market firms and to small firms changed? (If your bank defines firm size differently from the categories suggested below, please use your definitions and indicate what they are.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 3 5.4 2 5.7 1 4.8
Remained basically unchanged 45 80.4 28 80.0 17 81.0
Eased somewhat 8 14.3 5 14.3 3 14.3
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 56 100.0 35 100.0 21 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 4 7.1 2 5.7 2 9.5
Remained basically unchanged 47 83.9 31 88.6 16 76.2
Eased somewhat 5 8.9 2 5.7 3 14.3
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 56 100.0 35 100.0 21 100.0

2. For applications for C&I loans or credit lines--other than those to be used to finance mergers and acquisitions--from large and middle-market firms and from small firms that your bank currently is willing to approve, how have the terms of those loans changed over the past three months? (Please assign each term a number between 1 and 5 using the following scale: 1=tightened considerably, 2=tightened somewhat, 3=remained basically unchanged, 4=eased somewhat, 5=eased considerably.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Maximum size of credit lines 3.16 3.23 3.05
Maximum maturity of loans or credit lines 3.11 3.11 3.10
Costs of credit lines 3.20 3.21 3.20
Spreads of loan rates over your bank's cost of funds (wider spreads=tightened; narrower spreads=eased) 3.45 3.40 3.55
Premiums charged on riskier loans 3.11 3.17 3.00
Loan covenants 3.18 3.31 2.95
Collateralization requirements 3.09 3.14 3.00
Other (please specify) 3.00 3.00 0.00
Number of banks responding 55 35 20

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Maximum size of credit lines 3.05 3.06 3.05
Maximum maturity of loans or credit lines 3.07 3.00 3.19
Costs of credit lines 3.07 3.06 3.10
Spreads of loan rates over your bank's cost of funds (wider spreads=tightened; narrower spreads=eased) 3.25 3.17 3.38
Premiums charged on riskier loans 2.95 2.94 2.95
Loan covenants 3.00 3.00 3.00
Collateralization requirements 2.98 3.00 2.95
Other (please specify) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Number of banks responding 56 35 21

3. If your bank has tightened or eased its credit standards or its terms for C&I loans or credit lines over the past three months (as described in questions 1 and 2), how important have been the following possible reasons for the change? (Please respond to either A, B, or both as appropriate and rate each possible reason using the following scale: 1=not important, 2=somewhat important, 3=very important.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Deterioration in your bank's current or expected capital position 1.00 1.00 1.00
Less favorable or more uncertain economic outlook 1.73 1.71 1.75
Worsening of industry-specific problems (please specify industries) 1.55 1.71 1.25
Less aggressive competition from other banks or nonbank lenders (other financial intermediaries or the capital markets) 1.18 1.14 1.25
Reduced tolerance for risk 1.64 1.71 1.50
Decreased liquidity in the secondary market for these loans 1.18 1.14 1.25
Increase in defaults by borrowers in public debt markets 1.09 1.00 1.25
Other (please specify) 2.00 2.00 0.00
Number of banks responding 11 7 4

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Improvement in your bank's current or expected capital position 1.12 1.12 1.11
More favorable or less uncertain economic outlook 1.31 1.29 1.33
Improvement in industry-specific problems (please specify industries) 1.15 1.18 1.11
More aggressive competition from other banks or nonbank lenders (other financial intermediaries or the capital markets) 2.63 2.60 2.70
Increased tolerance for risk 1.31 1.29 1.33
Increased liquidity in the secondary market for these loans 1.37 1.50 1.11
Reduction in defaults by borrowers in public debt markets 1.12 1.12 1.13
Other (please specify) 2.00 2.00 2.00
Number of banks responding 30 20 10

4. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for C&I loans changed over the past three months? (Please consider only funds actually disbursed as opposed to requests for new or increased lines of credit.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 9 16.7 6 17.1 3 15.8
About the same 35 64.8 20 57.1 15 78.9
Moderately weaker 10 18.5 9 25.7 1 5.3
Substantially weaker 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 54 100.0 35 100.0 19 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 9 16.7 7 20.6 2 10.0
About the same 36 66.7 19 55.9 17 85.0
Moderately weaker 9 16.7 8 23.5 1 5.0
Substantially weaker 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 54 100.0 34 100.0 20 100.0

5. If demand for C&I loans has strengthened or weakened over the past three months (as described in question 4), how important have been the following possible reasons for the change? (Please respond to either A, B, or both as appropriate and rate each possible reason using the following scale: 1=not important, 2=somewhat important, 3=very important.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Customer inventory financing needs increased 1.67 1.55 2.00
Customer accounts receivable financing needs increased 1.71 1.60 2.00
Customer investment in plant or equipment increased 1.80 1.73 2.00
Customer internally generated funds decreased 1.14 1.10 1.25
Customer merger or acquisition financing needs increased 2.20 2.36 1.75
Customer borrowing shifted to your bank from other bank or nonbank sources because these other sources became less attractive 1.38 1.44 1.25
Other (please specify) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Number of banks responding 15 11 4

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Customer inventory financing needs decreased 1.67 1.64 2.00
Customer accounts receivable financing needs decreased 1.58 1.55 2.00
Customer investment in plant or equipment decreased 2.00 2.09 1.00
Customer internally generated funds increased 1.67 1.64 2.00
Customer merger or acquisition financing needs decreased 1.42 1.36 2.00
Customer borrowing shifted from your bank to other bank or nonbank credit sources because these other sources became more attractive 1.67 1.64 2.00
Other (please specify) 2.33 2.33 0.00
Number of banks responding 12 11 1

6. At your bank, how has the number of inquiries from potential business borrowers regarding the availability and terms of new credit lines or increases in existing lines changed over the past three months? (Please consider only inquiries for additional C&I lines as opposed to the refinancing of existing loans.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
The number of inquiries has increased substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
The number of inquiries has increased moderately 9 16.1 7 20.0 2 9.5
The number of inquiries has stayed about the same 40 71.4 22 62.9 18 85.7
The number of inquiries has decreased moderately 7 12.5 6 17.1 1 4.8
The number of inquiries has decreased substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 56 100.0 35 100.0 21 100.0

Questions 7-8 ask about commercial real estate loans at your bank, including construction and land development loans and loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential real estate. Question 7 deals with changes in your bank's standards over the last three months. Question 8 deals with changes in demand. If your bank's lending standards or terms have not changed over the relevant period, please report them as unchanged even if they are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's standards or terms have tightened or eased over the relevant period, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing standards as changes in standards.

7. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for commercial real estate loans changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 13 23.2 10 28.6 3 14.3
Remained basically unchanged 36 64.3 21 60.0 15 71.4
Eased somewhat 7 12.5 4 11.4 3 14.3
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 56 100.0 35 100.0 21 100.0

8. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for commercial real estate loans changed over the past three months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 7 12.5 5 14.3 2 9.5
About the same 40 71.4 24 68.6 16 76.2
Moderately weaker 9 16.1 6 17.1 3 14.3
Substantially weaker 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 56 100.0 35 100.0 21 100.0

Questions 9-10 ask about residential mortgage loans at your bank. Question 9 deals with changes in your bank's credit standards over the past three months, and question 10 deals with changes in demand over the same period. If your bank's credit standards have not changed over the relevant period, please report them as unchanged even if the standards are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's credit standards have tightened or eased over the relevant period, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing standards as changes in standards.

9. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications from individuals for mortgage loans to purchase homes changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 2 3.7 1 2.9 1 5.3
Remained basically unchanged 45 83.3 28 80.0 17 89.5
Eased somewhat 7 13.0 6 17.1 1 5.3
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 54 100.0 35 100.0 19 100.0

10. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand from individuals for mortgages to purchase homes changed over the past three months? (Please consider only new originations as opposed to the refinancing of existing mortgages.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 4 7.5 2 5.7 2 11.1
About the same 14 26.4 7 20.0 7 38.9
Moderately weaker 30 56.6 22 62.9 8 44.4
Substantially weaker 5 9.4 4 11.4 1 5.6
Total 53 100.0 35 100.0 18 100.0

Questions 11-18 ask about two types of residential mortgage loans at your bank-- subprime residential mortgages and non-traditional residential mortgage products. For the purposes of this survey, please use the following definitions of these loan types (note that these loan types are not necessarily mutually exclusive):

11. About what share of the dollar volume of residential mortgages currently on your bank's books could be categorized as subprime, and what share could be categorized as non-traditional mortgage products?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Less than 5 percent 21 70.0 12 60.0 9 90.0
Between 5 percent and 10 percent 5 16.7 4 20.0 1 10.0
Between 11 percent and 15 percent 1 3.3 1 5.0 0 0.0
Between 16 percent and 20 percent 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Between 21 percent and 30 percent 2 6.7 2 10.0 0 0.0
More than 30 percent 1 3.3 1 5.0 0 0.0
Total 30 100.0 20 100.0 10 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Less than 5 percent 22 45.8 9 27.3 13 86.7
Between 5 percent and 10 percent 2 4.2 1 3.0 1 6.7
Between 11 percent and 15 percent 8 16.7 7 21.2 1 6.7
Between 16 percent and 20 percent 7 14.6 7 21.2 0 0.0
Between 21 percent and 30 percent 2 4.2 2 6.1 0 0.0
More than 30 percent 7 14.6 7 21.2 0 0.0
Total 48 100.0 33 100.0 15 100.0

12. How has the quality of your bank's subprime residential real estate portfolio--as measured by delinquencies and chargeoffs--changed over the past twelve months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Improved substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Improved somewhat 3 10.0 3 15.0 0 0.0
Remained unchanged 22 73.3 13 65.0 9 90.0
Deteriorated somewhat 5 16.7 4 20.0 1 10.0
Deteriorated substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 30 100.0 20 100.0 10 100.0

13. How has the quality of your bank's subprime residential real estate portfolio--as measured by delinquencies and chargeoffs--performed over the past twelve months relative to your bank's initial expectations?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Much better than had been expected 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Somewhat better than had been expected 3 10.0 3 15.0 0 0.0
About as had been expected 26 86.7 16 80.0 10 100.0
Somewhat worse than had been expected 1 3.3 1 5.0 0 0.0
Much worse than had been than expected 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 30 100.0 20 100.0 10 100.0

14. Given the performance of your bank's subprime residential real estate portfolio over the past twelve months (as reported in question 12), how have you adjusted your standards and terms on such loans over that period? (Please assign each item a number between 1 and 5 using the following scale: 1=tightened considerably, 2=tightened somewhat, 3=remained basically unchanged, 4=eased somewhat, 5=eased considerably.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Credit standards 2.93 2.89 3.00
Price-related terms (higher fees and wider spreads=tightened; lower fees and narrower spreads=eased) 2.90 2.84 3.00
Non-price-related terms 2.96 2.94 3.00
Number of banks responding 29 19 10

15. How has the quality of your bank's portfolio of non-traditional residential mortgage products--as measured by delinquencies and chargeoffs--changed over the past twelve months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Improved substantially 1 2.2 1 3.3 0 0.0
Improved somewhat 3 6.7 3 10.0 0 0.0
Remained unchanged 39 86.7 25 83.3 14 93.3
Deteriorated somewhat 2 4.4 1 3.3 1 6.7
Deteriorated substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 45 100.0 30 100.0 15 100.0

16. How has the quality of your bank's portfolio of non-traditional residential mortgage products--as measured by delinquencies and chargeoffs--performed over the past twelve months relative to your bank's initial expectations?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Much better than had been expected 1 2.2 1 3.3 0 0.0
Somewhat better than had been expected 7 15.6 6 20.0 1 6.7
About as had been expected 36 80.0 22 73.3 14 93.3
Somewhat worse than had been expected 1 2.2 1 3.3 0 0.0
Much worse than had been than expected 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 45 100.0 30 100.0 15 100.0

17. Given the performance of your bank's portfolio of non-traditional residential mortgage products over the past twelve months (as reported in question 15), how have you adjusted your standards and terms on such loans over that period? (Please assign each item a number between 1 and 5 using the following scale: 1=tightened considerably, 2=tightened somewhat, 3=remained basically unchanged, 4=eased somewhat, 5=eased considerably.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Credit standards 3.02 3.03 3.00
Price-related terms (higher fees and wider spreads=tightened; lower fees and narrower spreads=eased) 2.91 2.83 3.07
Non-price-related terms 2.98 2.97 3.00
Number of banks responding 45 30 15

18. Assuming that economic activity progresses in line with consensus forecasts, what is your bank's outlook over the next twelve months for delinquencies and chargeoffs on subprime residential mortgages and non-traditional residential mortgage products currently on your bank's books?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Likely to improve substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Likely to improve somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Likely to stabilize around current levels 19 65.5 11 57.9 8 80.0
Likely to deteriorate somewhat 10 34.5 8 42.1 2 20.0
Likely to deteriorate substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 29 100.0 19 100.0 10 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Likely to improve substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Likely to improve somewhat 2 4.4 2 6.7 0 0.0
Likely to stabilize around current levels 28 62.2 16 53.3 12 80.0
Likely to deteriorate somewhat 15 33.3 12 40.0 3 20.0
Likely to deteriorate substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 45 100.0 30 100.0 15 100.0

Question 19 asks about the demand at your bank for residential real estate loans used to finance homes for investment purposes.

19. How has demand at your bank for residential real estate loans used to finance homes for investment purposes changed over the past twelve months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 1 2.0 1 3.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 8 16.0 6 18.2 2 11.8
About the same 26 52.0 14 42.4 12 70.6
Moderately weaker 12 24.0 10 30.3 2 11.8
Substantially weaker 3 6.0 2 6.1 1 5.9
Total 50 100.0 33 100.0 17 100.0

Questions 20-25 ask about consumer lending at your bank. Question 20 deals with changes in your bank's willingness to make consumer loans over the past three months. Questions 21-24 deal with changes in credit standards and loan terms over the same period. Question 25 deals with changes in demand for consumer loans over the past three months. If your bank's lending policies have not changed over the past three months, please report them as unchanged even if the policies are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's policies have tightened or eased over the past three months, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing policies as changes in policies.

20. Please indicate your bank's willingness to make consumer installment loans now as opposed to three months ago.

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Much more willing 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Somewhat more willing 4 7.7 3 9.1 1 5.3
About unchanged 48 92.3 30 90.9 18 94.7
Somewhat less willing 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Much less willing 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 33 100.0 19 100.0

21. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for credit cards from individuals or households changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 2 6.1 2 11.1 0 0.0
Remained basically unchanged 28 84.8 14 77.8 14 93.3
Eased somewhat 3 9.1 2 11.1 1 6.7
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 33 100.0 18 100.0 15 100.0

22. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for consumer loans other than credit card loans changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 2 3.8 2 6.1 0 0.0
Remained basically unchanged 45 86.5 26 78.8 19 100.0
Eased somewhat 5 9.6 5 15.2 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 33 100.0 19 100.0

23. Over the past three months, how has your bank changed the following terms and conditions on new or existing credit card accounts for individuals or households? (Please assign each term a number between 1 and 5 using the following scale: 1=tightened considerably, 2=tightened somewhat, 3=remained basically unchanged, 4=eased somewhat, 5=eased considerably.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Credit limits 3.00 3.00 3.00
Spreads of interest rates charged on outstanding balances over your bank's cost of funds (wider spreads=tightened; narrower spreads=eased) 2.97 2.81 3.15
Minimum percent of outstanding balances required to be repaid each month 2.93 2.88 3.00
Minimum required credit score (increased score=tightened; reduced score=eased) 3.07 3.06 3.08
The extent to which loans are granted to some customers that do not meet credit scoring thresholds (decreased=tightened; increased=eased) 2.97 2.94 3.00
Other (please specify) 3.00 3.00 0.00
Number of banks responding 29 16 13

24. Over the past three months, how has your bank changed the following terms and conditions on consumer loans other than credit card loans? (Please assign each term a number between 1 and 5 using the following scale: 1=tightened considerably, 2=tightened somewhat, 3=remained basically unchanged, 4=eased somewhat, 5=eased considerably.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
MeanMeanMean
Maximum maturity 3.08 3.09 3.06
Spreads of loan rates over your bank's cost of funds (wider spreads=tightened; narrower spreads=eased) 3.08 3.03 3.17
Minimum required downpayment 3.00 3.00 3.00
Minimum required credit score (increased score=tightened; reduced score=eased) 3.02 3.03 3.00
The extent to which loans are granted to some customers that do not meet credit scoring thresholds (decreased=tightened; increased=eased) 2.92 2.88 3.00
Other (please specify) 3.00 3.00 3.00
Number of banks responding 50 32 18

25. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for consumer loans of all types changed over the past three months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 4 7.5 1 2.9 3 15.8
About the same 25 47.2 15 44.1 10 52.6
Moderately weaker 22 41.5 16 47.1 6 31.6
Substantially weaker 2 3.8 2 5.9 0 0.0
Total 53 100.0 34 100.0 19 100.0

1. The sample is selected from among the largest banks in each Federal Reserve District. In the table, large banks are defined as those with total domestic assets of $20 billion or more as of March 31, 2006. The combined assets of the 35 large banks totaled $4.72 trillion, compared to $4.93 trillion for the entire panel of 56 banks, and $8.08 trillion for all domestically chartered, federally insured commercial banks.

Return to text