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Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices
October 2008

Survey | Full report (PDF)
Table 1 |Table 2 | Chart data
Table 1 (PDF) | Table 2 (PDF) | Charts (PDF)

Table 1

Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices
at Selected Large Banks in the United States 1

(Status of policy as of October 2008)

Questions 1-6 ask about commercial and industrial (C&I) loans at your bank. Questions 1-3 deal with changes in your bank's lending policies over the past three months. Questions 4-5 deal with changes in demand for C&I loans over the past three months. Question 6 asks about changes in prospective demand for C&I loans at your bank, as indicated by the volume of recent inquiries about the availability of new credit lines or increases in existing lines. If your bank's lending policies have not changed over the past three months, please report them as unchanged even if the policies are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's policies have tightened or eased over the past three months, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing policies as changes in policies.

1. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for C&I loans or credit lines—other than those to be used to finance mergers and acquisitions—to large and middle-market firms and to small firms changed? (If your bank defines firm size differently from the categories suggested below, please use your definitions and indicate what they are.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 8 14.5 6 18.8 2 8.7
Tightened somewhat 38 69.1 21 65.6 17 73.9
Remained basically unchanged 9 16.4 5 15.6 4 17.4
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 9 16.4 5 15.6 4 17.4
Tightened somewhat 32 58.2 18 56.3 14 60.9
Remained basically unchanged 14 25.5 9 28.1 5 21.7
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

2. For applications for C&I loans or credit lines—other than those to be used to finance mergers and acquisitions—from large and middle-market firms and from small firms that your bank currently is willing to approve, how have the terms of those loans changed over the past three months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 6 10.9 3 9.4 3 13.0
Tightened somewhat 32 58.2 22 68.8 10 43.5
Remained basically unchanged 17 30.9 7 21.9 10 43.5
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 5.5 3 9.4 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 31 56.4 18 56.3 13 56.5
Remained basically unchanged 21 38.2 11 34.4 10 43.5
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 20 36.4 15 46.9 5 21.7
Tightened somewhat 32 58.2 16 50.0 16 69.6
Remained basically unchanged 3 5.5 1 3.1 2 8.7
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 22 40.0 16 50.0 6 26.1
Tightened somewhat 32 58.2 16 50.0 16 69.6
Remained basically unchanged 1 1.8 0 0.0 1 4.3
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 27 49.1 16 50.0 11 47.8
Tightened somewhat 21 38.2 13 40.6 8 34.8
Remained basically unchanged 7 12.7 3 9.4 4 17.4
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 5.5 2 6.3 1 4.3
Tightened somewhat 38 69.1 25 78.1 13 56.5
Remained basically unchanged 14 25.5 5 15.6 9 39.1
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 5.5 2 6.3 1 4.3
Tightened somewhat 30 54.5 17 53.1 13 56.5
Remained basically unchanged 22 40.0 13 40.6 9 39.1
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 6 10.9 4 12.5 2 8.7
Tightened somewhat 27 49.1 15 46.9 12 52.2
Remained basically unchanged 22 40.0 13 40.6 9 39.1
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 5.5 3 9.4 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 29 52.7 15 46.9 14 60.9
Remained basically unchanged 23 41.8 14 43.8 9 39.1
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 16 29.1 12 37.5 4 17.4
Tightened somewhat 33 60.0 17 53.1 16 69.6
Remained basically unchanged 6 10.9 3 9.4 3 13.0
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 19 34.5 11 34.4 8 34.8
Tightened somewhat 32 58.2 19 59.4 13 56.5
Remained basically unchanged 4 7.3 2 6.3 2 8.7
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 21 38.2 12 37.5 9 39.1
Tightened somewhat 25 45.5 15 46.9 10 43.5
Remained basically unchanged 9 16.4 5 15.6 4 17.4
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 5.5 3 9.4 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 35 63.6 22 68.8 13 56.5
Remained basically unchanged 17 30.9 7 21.9 10 43.5
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 5.5 2 6.3 1 4.3
Tightened somewhat 30 54.5 17 53.1 13 56.5
Remained basically unchanged 22 40.0 13 40.6 9 39.1
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

3. If your bank has tightened or eased its credit standards or its terms for C&I loans or credit lines over the past three months (as described in questions 1 and 2), how important have been the following possible reasons for the change?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 32 61.5 17 54.8 15 71.4
Somewhat important 14 26.9 11 35.5 3 14.3
Very important 6 11.5 3 9.7 3 14.3
Total 52 100.0 31 100.0 21 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 1 1.9 0 0.0 1 4.8
Somewhat important 18 34.0 9 28.1 9 42.9
Very important 34 64.2 23 71.9 11 52.4
Total 53 100.0 32 100.0 21 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 10 19.2 4 12.5 6 30.0
Somewhat important 26 50.0 18 56.3 8 40.0
Very important 16 30.8 10 31.3 6 30.0
Total 52 100.0 32 100.0 20 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 27 50.9 14 43.8 13 61.9
Somewhat important 21 39.6 14 43.8 7 33.3
Very important 5 9.4 4 12.5 1 4.8
Total 53 100.0 32 100.0 21 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 7 13.2 3 9.4 4 19.0
Somewhat important 26 49.1 16 50.0 10 47.6
Very important 20 37.7 13 40.6 7 33.3
Total 53 100.0 32 100.0 21 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 23 43.4 8 25.0 15 71.4
Somewhat important 21 39.6 17 53.1 4 19.0
Very important 9 17.0 7 21.9 2 9.5
Total 53 100.0 32 100.0 21 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 29 54.7 16 50.0 13 61.9
Somewhat important 23 43.4 16 50.0 7 33.3
Very important 1 1.9 0 0.0 1 4.8
Total 53 100.0 32 100.0 21 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 33 63.5 18 58.1 15 71.4
Somewhat important 13 25.0 9 29.0 4 19.0
Very important 6 11.5 4 12.9 2 9.5
Total 52 100.0 31 100.0 21 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --

4. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for C&I loans changed over the past three months? (Please consider only funds actually disbursed as opposed to requests for new or increased lines of credit.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 2 3.7 2 6.5 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 13 24.1 9 29.0 4 17.4
About the same 15 27.8 6 19.4 9 39.1
Moderately weaker 18 33.3 10 32.3 8 34.8
Substantially weaker 6 11.1 4 12.9 2 8.7
Total 54 100.0 31 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 1 1.9 1 3.2 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 12 22.2 8 25.8 4 17.4
About the same 24 44.4 11 35.5 13 56.5
Moderately weaker 12 22.2 8 25.8 4 17.4
Substantially weaker 5 9.3 3 9.7 2 8.7
Total 54 100.0 31 100.0 23 100.0

5. If demand for C&I loans has strengthened or weakened over the past three months (as described in question 4), how important have been the following possible reasons for the change?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 11 78.6 7 77.8 4 80.0
Somewhat important 3 21.4 2 22.2 1 20.0
Very important 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 14 100.0 9 100.0 5 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 10 66.7 6 60.0 4 80.0
Somewhat important 5 33.3 4 40.0 1 20.0
Very important 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 15 100.0 10 100.0 5 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 10 71.4 6 66.7 4 80.0
Somewhat important 4 28.6 3 33.3 1 20.0
Very important 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 14 100.0 9 100.0 5 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 7 46.7 3 30.0 4 80.0
Somewhat important 5 33.3 5 50.0 0 0.0
Very important 3 20.0 2 20.0 1 20.0
Total 15 100.0 10 100.0 5 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 13 100.0 8 100.0 5 100.0
Somewhat important 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Very important 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 13 100.0 8 100.0 5 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 1 6.7 1 10.0 0 0.0
Somewhat important 3 20.0 2 20.0 1 20.0
Very important 11 73.3 7 70.0 4 80.0
Total 15 100.0 10 100.0 5 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 3 12.5 2 14.3 1 10.0
Somewhat important 19 79.2 11 78.6 8 80.0
Very important 2 8.3 1 7.1 1 10.0
Total 24 100.0 14 100.0 10 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 3 12.5 2 14.3 1 10.0
Somewhat important 19 79.2 11 78.6 8 80.0
Very important 2 8.3 1 7.1 1 10.0
Total 24 100.0 14 100.0 10 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 1 4.2 1 7.1 0 0.0
Somewhat important 14 58.3 9 64.3 5 50.0
Very important 9 37.5 4 28.6 5 50.0
Total 24 100.0 14 100.0 10 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 17 70.8 12 85.7 5 50.0
Somewhat important 6 25.0 2 14.3 4 40.0
Very important 1 4.2 0 0.0 1 10.0
Total 24 100.0 14 100.0 10 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 4 16.7 1 7.1 3 30.0
Somewhat important 12 50.0 7 50.0 5 50.0
Very important 8 33.3 6 42.9 2 20.0
Total 24 100.0 14 100.0 10 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 20 83.3 13 92.9 7 70.0
Somewhat important 2 8.3 0 0.0 2 20.0
Very important 2 8.3 1 7.1 1 10.0
Total 24 100.0 14 100.0 10 100.0

6. At your bank, how has the number of inquiries from potential business borrowers regarding the availability and terms of new credit lines or increases in existing lines changed over the past three months? (Please consider only inquiries for additional C&I lines as opposed to the refinancing of existing loans.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
The number of inquiries has increased substantially 7 12.7 5 15.6 2 8.7
The number of inquiries has increased moderately 16 29.1 10 31.3 6 26.1
The number of inquiries has stayed about the same 14 25.5 4 12.5 10 43.5
The number of inquiries has decreased moderately 15 27.3 11 34.4 4 17.4
The number of inquiries has decreased substantially 3 5.5 2 6.3 1 4.3
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

Questions 7-8 ask about changes in the dollar amount of outstanding C&I loans at your bank. Question 7 asks about changes in the outstanding dollar amount of C&I loans drawn under preexisting commitments and question 8 asks about changes in the outstanding dollar amount of C&I loans that were not drawn under preexisting commitments.

7. At your bank, how has the dollar amount of C&I loans outstanding that were drawn under preexisting commitments changed over the past three months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Declined considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Declined somewhat 5 9.1 1 3.1 4 17.4
Remained basically unchanged 24 43.6 10 31.3 14 60.9
Increased somewhat 21 38.2 17 53.1 4 17.4
Increased considerably 5 9.1 4 12.5 1 4.3
Total 55 100.0 32 100.0 23 100.0

8. At your bank, how has the dollar amount of C&I loans outstanding that were not drawn under preexisting commitments changed over the past three months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Declined considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Declined somewhat 7 13.0 5 16.1 2 8.7
Remained basically unchanged 24 44.4 13 41.9 11 47.8
Increased somewhat 21 38.9 12 38.7 9 39.1
Increased considerably 2 3.7 1 3.2 1 4.3
Total 54 100.0 31 100.0 23 100.0

Questions 9-10 ask about commercial real estate loans at your bank, including construction and land development loans and loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential real estate. Question 9 deals with changes in your bank's standards over the past three months. Question 10 deals with changes in demand. If your bank's lending standards or terms have not changed over the relevant period, please report them as unchanged even if they are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's standards or terms have tightened or eased over the relevant period, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing standards as changes in standards.

9. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for commercial real estate loans changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 22 40.7 13 41.9 9 39.1
Tightened somewhat 25 46.3 14 45.2 11 47.8
Remained basically unchanged 7 13.0 4 12.9 3 13.0
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 54 100.0 31 100.0 23 100.0

10. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for commercial real estate loans changed over the past three months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 2 3.7 1 3.2 1 4.3
Moderately stronger 4 7.4 1 3.2 3 13.0
About the same 12 22.2 8 25.8 4 17.4
Moderately weaker 22 40.7 12 38.7 10 43.5
Substantially weaker 14 25.9 9 29.0 5 21.7
Total 54 100.0 31 100.0 23 100.0

Questions 11-12 ask about three categories of residential mortgage loans at your bank—prime residential mortgages, nontraditional residential mortgages, and subprime residential mortgages. Question 11 deals with changes in your bank's credit standards for loans in each of these categories over the past three months. Question 12 deals with changes in demand for loans in each of these categories over the same period. If your bank's credit standards have not changed over the relevant period, please report them as unchanged even if the standards are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's credit standards have tightened or eased over the relevant period, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing standards as changes in standards.

For the purposes of this survey, please use the following definitions of these loan categories (note that the loan categories are not mutually exclusive) and include first-lien loans only:

11. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications from individuals for mortgage loans to purchase homes changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 2 3.8 2 6.7 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 35 67.3 22 73.3 13 59.1
Remained basically unchanged 14 26.9 6 20.0 8 36.4
Eased somewhat 1 1.9 0 0.0 1 4.5
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 9 31.0 7 36.8 2 20.0
Tightened somewhat 17 58.6 10 52.6 7 70.0
Remained basically unchanged 3 10.3 2 10.5 1 10.0
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 29 100.0 19 100.0 10 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 4 100.0 3 100.0 1 100.0
Tightened somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Remained basically unchanged 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 4 100.0 3 100.0 1 100.0

12. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for mortgages to purchase homes changed over the past three months? (Please consider only new originations as opposed to the refinancing of existing mortgages.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 3 5.8 0 0.0 3 13.6
About the same 19 36.5 12 40.0 7 31.8
Moderately weaker 25 48.1 16 53.3 9 40.9
Substantially weaker 5 9.6 2 6.7 3 13.6
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
About the same 8 27.6 4 21.1 4 40.0
Moderately weaker 16 55.2 14 73.7 2 20.0
Substantially weaker 5 17.2 1 5.3 4 40.0
Total 29 100.0 19 100.0 10 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
About the same 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately weaker 2 50.0 2 66.7 0 0.0
Substantially weaker 2 50.0 1 33.3 1 100.0
Total 4 100.0 3 100.0 1 100.0

Questions 13-14 ask about revolving home equity lines of credit at your bank. Question 13 deals with changes in your bank's credit standards over the past three months. Question 14 deals with changes in demand. If your bank's credit standards have not changed over the relevant period, please report them as unchanged even if they are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's credit standards have tightened or eased over the relevant period, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing standards as changes in standards.

13. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for revolving home equity lines of credit changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 12 23.1 10 33.3 2 9.1
Tightened somewhat 29 55.8 14 46.7 15 68.2
Remained basically unchanged 10 19.2 6 20.0 4 18.2
Eased somewhat 1 1.9 0 0.0 1 4.5
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0

14. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for revolving home equity lines of credit changed over the past three months? (Please consider only funds actually disbursed as opposed to requests for new or increased lines of credit.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 10 19.2 6 20.0 4 18.2
About the same 20 38.5 8 26.7 12 54.5
Moderately weaker 20 38.5 14 46.7 6 27.3
Substantially weaker 2 3.8 2 6.7 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0

Questions 15-20 ask about consumer lending at your bank. Question 15 deals with changes in your bank's willingness to make consumer loans over the past three months. Questions 16-19 deal with changes in credit standards and loan terms over the same period. Question 20 deals with changes in demand for consumer loans over the past three months. If your bank's lending policies have not changed over the past three months, please report them as unchanged even if the policies are either restrictive or accommodative relative to longer-term norms. If your bank's policies have tightened or eased over the past three months, please so report them regardless of how they stand relative to longer-term norms. Also, please report changes in enforcement of existing policies as changes in policies.

15. Please indicate your bank's willingness to make consumer installment loans now as opposed to three months ago.

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Much more willing 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Somewhat more willing 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
About unchanged 28 52.8 13 43.3 15 65.2
Somewhat less willing 19 35.8 14 46.7 5 21.7
Much less willing 6 11.3 3 10.0 3 13.0
Total 53 100.0 30 100.0 23 100.0

16. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for credit cards from individuals or households changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 5 14.7 3 14.3 2 15.4
Tightened somewhat 15 44.1 11 52.4 4 30.8
Remained basically unchanged 14 41.2 7 33.3 7 53.8
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 34 100.0 21 100.0 13 100.0

17. Over the past three months, how have your bank's credit standards for approving applications for consumer loans other than credit card loans changed?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 8 15.1 5 16.7 3 13.0
Tightened somewhat 26 49.1 16 53.3 10 43.5
Remained basically unchanged 19 35.8 9 30.0 10 43.5
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 53 100.0 30 100.0 23 100.0

18. Over the past three months, how has your bank changed the following terms and conditions on new or existing credit card accounts for individuals or households?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 9.1 1 4.8 2 16.7
Tightened somewhat 17 51.5 13 61.9 4 33.3
Remained basically unchanged 13 39.4 7 33.3 6 50.0
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 33 100.0 21 100.0 12 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 2 6.1 0 0.0 2 16.7
Tightened somewhat 7 21.2 6 28.6 1 8.3
Remained basically unchanged 23 69.7 14 66.7 9 75.0
Eased somewhat 1 3.0 1 4.8 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 33 100.0 21 100.0 12 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 3 9.1 2 9.5 1 8.3
Remained basically unchanged 30 90.9 19 90.5 11 91.7
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 33 100.0 21 100.0 12 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 3 9.1 1 4.8 2 16.7
Tightened somewhat 14 42.4 11 52.4 3 25.0
Remained basically unchanged 16 48.5 9 42.9 7 58.3
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 33 100.0 21 100.0 12 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 6 18.2 4 19.0 2 16.7
Tightened somewhat 13 39.4 9 42.9 4 33.3
Remained basically unchanged 14 42.4 8 38.1 6 50.0
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 33 100.0 21 100.0 12 100.0

19. Over the past three months, how has your bank changed the following terms and conditions on consumer loans other than credit card loans? (Please assign each term a number between 1 and 5 using the following scale: 1=tightened considerably, 2=tightened somewhat, 3=remained basically unchanged, 4=eased somewhat, 5=eased considerably.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 1 1.9 1 3.3 0 0.0
Tightened somewhat 9 17.3 6 20.0 3 13.6
Remained basically unchanged 42 80.8 23 76.7 19 86.4
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 9 17.0 4 13.3 5 21.7
Tightened somewhat 30 56.6 19 63.3 11 47.8
Remained basically unchanged 13 24.5 6 20.0 7 30.4
Eased somewhat 1 1.9 1 3.3 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 53 100.0 30 100.0 23 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 4 7.7 2 6.7 2 9.1
Tightened somewhat 25 48.1 15 50.0 10 45.5
Remained basically unchanged 23 44.2 13 43.3 10 45.5
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 5 9.6 3 10.0 2 9.1
Tightened somewhat 27 51.9 17 56.7 10 45.5
Remained basically unchanged 20 38.5 10 33.3 10 45.5
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Tightened considerably 12 23.5 8 26.7 4 19.0
Tightened somewhat 19 37.3 11 36.7 8 38.1
Remained basically unchanged 20 39.2 11 36.7 9 42.9
Eased somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Eased considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 51 100.0 30 100.0 21 100.0

20. Apart from normal seasonal variation, how has demand for consumer loans of all types changed over the past three months?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Substantially stronger 1 1.9 1 3.3 0 0.0
Moderately stronger 3 5.8 3 10.0 0 0.0
About the same 19 36.5 8 26.7 11 50.0
Moderately weaker 25 48.1 16 53.3 9 40.9
Substantially weaker 4 7.7 2 6.7 2 9.1
Total 52 100.0 30 100.0 22 100.0

Questions 21-22 ask about your bank's changes in credit limits on existing credit card accounts for prime and nonprime borrowers.

21. Over the past three months, how has your bank changed credit limits on existing credit card accounts? (In responding, please consider cancelled accounts as reductions in credit limits.)

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Lowered limits considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Lowered limits somewhat 8 25.0 7 33.3 1 9.1
Limits are little changed 23 71.9 13 61.9 10 90.9
Raised limits somewhat 1 3.1 1 4.8 0 0.0
Raised limits considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 32 100.0 21 100.0 11 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Lowered limits considerably 5 19.2 3 16.7 2 25.0
Lowered limits somewhat 11 42.3 9 50.0 2 25.0
Limits are little changed 10 38.5 6 33.3 4 50.0
Raised limits somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Raised limits considerably 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 26 100.0 18 100.0 8 100.0

22. If you answered 1 or 2 to either part of question 21, how important have been the following possible reasons for the change?

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 13 86.7 10 90.9 3 75.0
Somewhat important 2 13.3 1 9.1 1 25.0
Very important 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 15 100.0 11 100.0 4 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 1 6.3 1 8.3 0 0.0
Somewhat important 4 25.0 3 25.0 1 25.0
Very important 11 68.8 8 66.7 3 75.0
Total 16 100.0 12 100.0 4 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 1 6.3 1 8.3 0 0.0
Somewhat important 9 56.3 8 66.7 1 25.0
Very important 6 37.5 3 25.0 3 75.0
Total 16 100.0 12 100.0 4 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 11 73.3 9 81.8 2 50.0
Somewhat important 1 6.7 0 0.0 1 25.0
Very important 3 20.0 2 18.2 1 25.0
Total 15 100.0 11 100.0 4 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 2 13.3 2 18.2 0 0.0
Somewhat important 9 60.0 6 54.5 3 75.0
Very important 4 26.7 3 27.3 1 25.0
Total 15 100.0 11 100.0 4 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 2 13.3 2 18.2 0 0.0
Somewhat important 8 53.3 5 45.5 3 75.0
Very important 5 33.3 4 36.4 1 25.0
Total 15 100.0 11 100.0 4 100.0

 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 4 26.7 3 27.3 1 25.0
Somewhat important 7 46.7 4 36.4 3 75.0
Very important 4 26.7 4 36.4 0 0.0
Total 15 100.0 11 100.0 4 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 12 80.0 9 81.8 3 75.0
Somewhat important 2 13.3 2 18.2 0 0.0
Very important 1 6.7 0 0.0 1 25.0
Total 15 100.0 11 100.0 4 100.0
 All RespondentsLarge BanksOther Banks
BanksPercentBanksPercentBanksPercent
Not important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Somewhat important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Very important 0 -- 0 -- 0 --
Total 0 -- 0 -- 0 --


1. The sample is selected from among the largest banks in each Federal Reserve District. In the table, large banks are defined as those with total domestic assets of $20 billion or more as of June 30, 2008. The combined assets of the 32 large banks totaled $6.0 trillion, compared to $6.2 trillion for the entire panel of 55 banks, and $9.7 trillion for all domestically chartered, federally insured commercial banks.

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