Banks Tighten Loan Criteria Following Mass Withdrawals: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
After mass withdrawals in 2023, some small banks have enacted stricter loan criteria, and customers are looking for big returns.


Following the mass withdrawals from small banks in the spring of 2023, the future of smaller financial institutions was unclear. To help you understand what is going on in the sector and what we expect to happen in the future, 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...
Deposit outflows from small and midsize banks have stabilized. Depositors seem less concerned with losing uninsured money now that the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp) has stepped in to insure all deposits at two banks: Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank. Instead, depositors want higher returns.
Via money market accounts and other fixed-income instruments, savers have access to beefy and low-risk rates of return well above the yield on bank-held deposits. Note that banks are seeking fewer cash infusions from the Federal Reserve. Borrowing from the central bank’s emergency facilities has stabilized recently, while short-term borrowing from the Fed has returned closer to normal levels.

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.
Still, there are many signs of rising anxiety about banking conditions among lenders. Recent surveys of senior loan officers show a sharp tightening of lending terms. The expectation of a slower economy and labor market has forced lenders to set aside funds for potential loan losses. Lenders will also pull back from riskier products and markets, restricting consumer credit.
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.
Read more
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Rodrigo Sermeño covers the financial services, housing, small business, and cryptocurrency industries for The Kiplinger Letter. Before joining Kiplinger in 2014, he worked for several think tanks and non-profit organizations in Washington, D.C., including the New America Foundation, the Streit Council, and the Arca Foundation. Rodrigo graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor's degree in international affairs. He also holds a master's in public policy from George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government.
-
Do You Really Need That Wine Cellar?
Home Features Wine cellars are a popular feature in high-end houses. Will installing one in your home increase its value, or would you be better off with a cheaper solution?
-
Think a Repeal of the Estate Tax Wouldn't Affect You? Wrong
The wording of any law that repeals or otherwise changes the federal estate tax could have an impact on all of us. Here's what you need to know, courtesy of an estate planning and tax attorney.
-
AI Goes To School
The Kiplinger Letter Artificial intelligence is rapidly heading to K-12 classrooms nationwide. Expect tech companies to cash in on the fast-emerging trend.
-
The Economic Impact of the US-China Trade War
The Letter The US-China trade war will impact US consumers and business. The decoupling process could be messy.
-
What DOGE is Doing Now
The Kiplinger Letter As Musk's DOGE pursues its ambitious agenda, uncertainty and legal challenges are mounting — causing frustration for Trump.
-
A Move Away From Free Trade
The Letter President Trump says long-term gain will be worth short-term pain, but the pain could be significant this year.
-
Trump’s Whirlwind Month of Crypto Moves
The Kiplinger Letter The Trump administration wants to strengthen U.S. leadership in the cryptocurrency industry by providing regulatory clarity.
-
What To Know if You’re in the Market for a New Car This Year
The Kiplinger Letter Buying a new car will get a little easier, but don’t expect many deals.
-
What Could Derail the Economy This Year?
The Letter While the outlook for the U.S. economy is mostly favorable, there are plenty of risks that bear watching.
-
Three Ways President Trump Could Impact the Economy
The Letter Some of Trump's top priorities could boost economic growth, but others risk fueling inflation.