Some Questions for the Bank CEOs

My pal Peter Boockvar wants to know a few things from the bank CEOs as they begin reporting Q1 earnings in the coming days:

At least right now, what I’m most interested in this week is hearing from the bank CEO’s who report earnings on Thursday, JPM, WFC, and C. What is going on with this decline in bank lending across the board? For C&I loans to businesses, is there less demand because of the uncertainty over the timing of tax reform? Are companies tapping the capital markets instead of utilizing bank loans? Are companies just lessening their demand for credit because of already high leverage ratios? Are oil companies mostly responsible for the decline in C&I loans because they are paying back credit lines tapped last year? Are banks cutting back on mortgage warehouse lines because of the sharp contraction in refinancings? With respect to the decline in consumer credit lines, the questions are easier. Is it a demand side issue or are standards being tightened? What is the credit outlook for commercial real estate where activity and pricing seems to be topping out?

Some ‘splainin to do for sure.

Source:

Peter Boockvar
Managing Director, Chief Market Analyst
The Lindsey Group LLC