OCC Announces Release of Annual Credit Survey

OCC

On December 16, the OCC announced the release of their annual survey of credit underwriting practices identifying trends in lending standards and credit risk for the most common types of commercial and retail credit provided by banks. According to the report, leveraged loans, indirect consumer loans, credit cards, large corporate loans, and international loans accounted for the largest easing in underwriting standards. The survey also noted competitive pressures, ample liquidity, and the desire to reach for yield in a low-interest rate environment as contributing factors to the loosened underwriting. As a group, large banks reported the highest share of eased standards. The survey included 91 of the largest banks and thrifts and covered $4.9 trillion of loans representing roughly 94 percent of all loans in the federal banking system.