US DATA: Apr Fed Sr Loan Officer Survey says “on net, bank lending
stds and terms eased somewhat further” in Q1 and demand for C&I loans &
comml mortgages increased, while demand for res mtgs continued to fall.
Banks continued to ease standards for C&I loans due to increased
competition and (to a lesser extent) a more favorable economic outlook.
Several lg banks eased lending policies on credit card and auto loans,
and banks more-willing to make consumer installment loans rose to a high
since H1:1994. Demand for C&I loans from large and middle-market firms
increased. In Special Qs, 55% reported improvements in overall credit
quality of large and middle-market applicants, while 35% reported
improvements at small firms. Most banks had no change in stds for CRE
loans, but 35% reported increased demand.