To help you understand what is going on in the banking and finance sector our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
Regional banks aren’t out of the woods yet. Their stocks were hammered recently after news of New York Community Bank's (NYCB) big fourth-quarter loss led the bank’s shares to fall about 60%.
NYCB is unusual in its role as a major lender to rent-stabilized landlords in New York City. Most of its total multifamily loan book is secured by properties in New York state, many of which are subject to rent control. Big drops in the values of office buildings will put pressure on some banks. Expect delinquency rates on commercial mortgage-backed securities to double in 2024.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
On a more positive note, deposit outflows from small and midsize banks have slowed. Depositors appear less concerned with losing uninsured money after regulators stepped in early last year to insure all deposits at Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank. Net interest income (NII) — the difference between what banks earn from lending and pay out on deposits — will likely fall for most regional banks this year, as they will have to pay more to depositors. How much depends on how much longer interest rates stay high. Large banks should avoid the stock sell-off because they are more diversified and have set aside greater reserves to cover potential loan losses than smaller banks.
Banks are still tightening lending standards, but at a slower pace, according to the latest survey of senior loan officers. Also, the share of banks that are doing so has fallen considerably after peaking after last spring’s crisis of regional bank failures. A less favorable and uncertain economic outlook, worsening in credit quality of loans, and lower collateral values are among the top cited concerns. Businesses’ demand for credit keeps falling, especially among small firms.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related Content
-
Investing Abroad Could Pay Off — Here's HowCountries overseas are stimulating their economies, and their stocks are compelling bargains.
-
Retire in Belize for Stunning Natural Beauty and CultureBelize offers miles of protected land and ocean, a rich mix of cultures and a chill lifestyle. Best yet — the income requirement is just $2K per month.
-
Blue Collar Workers Add AI to Their ToolboxesThe Kiplinger Letter AI can’t fix a leak or install lighting, but more and more tradespeople are adopting artificial intelligence for back-office work and other tasks.
-
Tax Rule Change Could See Millions Lose Health InsuranceThe Kiplinger Tax Letter If current rules for the health premium tax credit (PTC), a popular Obamacare subsidy, aren't extended, 3.7 million people could lose their health insurance.
-
Will State Laws Hurt AI’s Future?The Kiplinger Letter Republicans in Congress are considering a moratorium on state AI laws. But it’s likely a growing patchwork of state AI regulations will be here for a while.
-
Travel Trends You Can Expect This SummerThe Kiplinger Letter Domestic trips will trump foreign travel amid economic uncertainties, though some costs are down.
-
AI Goes To SchoolThe Kiplinger Letter Artificial intelligence is rapidly heading to K-12 classrooms nationwide. Expect tech companies to cash in on the fast-emerging trend.
-
The New AI Agents Will Tackle Your To-Do ListThe Kiplinger Letter Autonomous AI agents “see” your computer screen, then complete a task, from buying a concert ticket to organizing email. This opens up a world of possibilities.
-
AI’s Medical RevolutionThe Kiplinger Letter Medicine is a field ripe for finding both exciting and practical uses for AI. The tech is already being used by doctors and researchers.
-
The Economic Impact of the US-China Trade WarThe Letter The US-China trade war will impact US consumers and business. The decoupling process could be messy.
