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

(Status of Policy as of September 2020)

This survey asks about your bank's lending policies with respect to, and borrower demand for, commercial and industrial (C&I) loans in the context of the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). The survey refers to the time interval since mid-June, when MSLP lender registration began. The set of 14 questions ask about the C&I loan inquiries and approvals at your bank; the considerations regarding your bank's or borrowers' participation in the MSLP; and your bank's outlook on future MSLP demand and participation. For the purpose of this survey, we define "borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP" as U.S. businesses with at most 15,000 employees in the previous 12 months or at most $5 billion in annual revenues in 2019. For details on the MSLP, see https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/mainstreetlending.htm.

Questions 1 to 6 solicit information on C&I loan inquiries by business borrowers, the characteristics, and the rate of C&I loan approvals at your bank.

1. At your bank, apart from seasonal variation, how has the total number of C&I loan inquiries from borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP changed since mid-June, regardless of whether those borrowers specifically inquired about an MSLP loan? Please consider informal inquiries as well as formal loan applications. (For the purpose of this survey, we define "borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP" as U.S. businesses with at most 15,000 employees in the previous 12 months or at most $5 billion in annual revenues in 2019.)

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Increased substantially 8 10.1 3 9.7 5 10.4
Increased somewhat 17 21.5 5 16.1 12 25.0
Stayed about the same 30 38.0 11 35.5 19 39.6
Decreased somewhat 18 22.8 11 35.5 7 14.6
Decreased substantially 6 7.6 1 3.2 5 10.4
Total 79 100 31 100 48 100

For this question, 5 respondents answered "My bank has not received any inquiries from borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP."

2. At your bank, apart from seasonal variation, how has the number of C&I loan inquiries from borrowers that are small enough to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) changed since mid-June, regardless of whether those borrowers specifically inquired about PPP or MSLP loans? Please consider informal inquiries as well as formal loan applications. (For the purpose of this survey, the borrowers small enough to qualify for the PPP are U.S. businesses with at most 500 employees. For details on the PPP, see https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program.)

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Increased substantially 6 7.2 0 0.0 6 11.3
Increased somewhat 9 10.8 3 10.0 6 11.3
Stayed about the same 26 31.3 9 30.0 17 32.1
Decreased somewhat 20 24.1 11 36.7 9 17.0
Decreased substantially 22 26.5 7 23.3 15 28.3
Total 83 100 30 100 53 100

For this question, 1 respondent answered "My bank has not received any inquiries from borrowers that are small enough to qualify for the PPP."

3. At your bank, apart from seasonal variation, how has the number of C&I loan inquiries from borrowers that are too large to be eligible for the MSLP changed since mid-June? Please consider informal inquiries as well as formal loan applications.

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Increased substantially 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Increased somewhat 1 2.2 1 3.7 0 0.0
Stayed about the same 24 53.3 11 40.7 13 72.2
Decreased somewhat 15 33.3 12 44.4 3 16.7
Decreased substantially 5 11.1 3 11.1 2 11.1
Total 45 100 27 100 18 100

For this question, 39 respondents answered "My bank has not received any inquiries from borrowers that are too large for the MSLP."

4. For borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP that made a C&I loan inquiry at your bank, how common were the following characteristics? (Please rate each possible characteristic using the following scale: 1=not common (e.g., less than 30 percent), 2=somewhat common (e.g., between 30 percent and 70 percent), 3=very common (more than 70 percent).)

A. The borrower was a new client at my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not common 35 42.2 15 50.0 20 37.7
Somewhat common 34 41.0 11 36.7 23 43.4
Very common 14 16.9 4 13.3 10 18.9
Total 83 100 30 100 53 100

B. The borrower suffered significant reductions in revenue or employment due to the COVID-19 crisis that go beyond seasonal or trend changes.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not common 9 11.0 2 6.9 7 13.2
Somewhat common 44 53.7 19 65.5 25 47.2
Very common 29 35.4 8 27.6 21 39.6
Total 82 100 29 100 53 100

C. The borrower had access to alternative sources of funds other than bilateral loans, such as equity, corporate bonds, commercial paper, or syndicated loans.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not common 48 58.5 15 51.7 33 62.3
Somewhat common 31 37.8 13 44.8 18 34.0
Very common 3 3.7 1 3.4 2 3.8
Total 82 100 29 100 53 100

D. The borrower had access to bank credit products other than C&I loans, such as commercial real estate loans, home equity lines of credit, or credit cards.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not common 30 36.6 12 41.4 18 34.0
Somewhat common 43 52.4 14 48.3 29 54.7
Very common 9 11.0 3 10.3 6 11.3
Total 82 100 29 100 53 100

E. The borrower could also qualify for PPP loans.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not common 14 17.1 5 17.2 9 17.0
Somewhat common 30 36.6 15 51.7 15 28.3
Very common 38 46.3 9 31.0 29 54.7
Total 82 100 29 100 53 100

5. What share of borrowers that are of an eligible size for the MSLP and made a C&I loan inquiry were approved for credit at your bank since mid-June? (Please consider approval for both MSLP loans and other types of loans.)

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
More than 60% 17 21.0 9 31.0 8 15.4
Between 40% and 60% 21 25.9 10 34.5 11 21.2
Between 20% and 40% 12 14.8 4 13.8 8 15.4
Between 10% and 20% 9 11.1 0 0.0 9 17.3
Less than 10% 22 27.2 6 20.7 16 30.8
Total 81 100 29 100 52 100

6. Of the total number of C&I loans your bank approved for borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP, what share were MSLP loans, as opposed to other types of loans?

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
More than 20% 2 8.7 0 0.0 2 18.2
Between 10% and 20% 1 4.3 0 0.0 1 9.1
Between 5% and 10% 1 4.3 1 8.3 0 0.0
Between 2.5% and 5% 2 8.7 2 16.7 0 0.0
Less than 2.5% but above 0% 17 73.9 9 75.0 8 72.7
Total 23 100 12 100 11 100

For this question, 62 respondents answered "My bank has not approved any loans intended for the MSLP or is not a registered MSLP lender."

Questions 7 to 12 solicit information on considerations regarding your bank's or borrowers' participation in the MSLP.



7. What best describes your bank's operational MSLP status? ("Registered" refers to whether your bank is a registered lender at the MSLP or not. For details on MSLP lender registration, see https://www.bostonfed.org/supervision-and-regulation/supervision/special-facilities/main-street-lending-program/information-for-lenders)

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
My bank is now underwriting MSLP loans and submitting them to the program for purchase. 24 33.8 14 51.9 10 22.7
My bank is registered and working to operationalize the program in the expectation of making loans in coming weeks. 22 31.0 8 29.6 14 31.8
My bank is registered but still evaluating the program and how it works. 13 18.3 0 0.0 13 29.5
My bank is registered but will likely only make loans if financial conditions deteriorate. 7 9.9 3 11.1 4 9.1
My bank is not registered, but will likely register in the coming weeks. 2 2.8 1 3.7 1 2.3
My bank is not registered, but would likely register if financial conditions deteriorate. 3 4.2 1 3.7 2 4.5
Total 71 100 27 100 44 100

For this question, 13 respondents answered " My bank is not registered and will likely not register in the future."

8. If your bank is not registered for the MSLP, how important were the following reasons in your bank's decision to not register for the MSLP? (Please rate each possible reason using the following scale: 1=not important, 2=somewhat important, 3=very important.)

A. My bank was able to address the credit needs of most borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP without MSLP participation.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 1 5.9 1 16.7 0 0.0
Somewhat important 5 29.4 0 0.0 5 45.5
Very important 11 64.7 5 83.3 6 54.5
Total 17 100 6 100 11 100

B. My bank judged that participation in the PPP was sufficient to address the credit needs of most of our borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 5 27.8 3 50.0 2 16.7
Somewhat important 10 55.6 3 50.0 7 58.3
Very important 3 16.7 0 0.0 3 25.0
Total 18 100 6 100 12 100

C. MSLP registration requirements were too burdensome.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 8 47.1 3 50.0 5 45.5
Somewhat important 6 35.3 3 50.0 3 27.3
Very important 3 17.6 0 0.0 3 27.3
Total 17 100 6 100 11 100

D. Typical borrowers at my bank would not qualify for MSLP loans for reasons other than size, or would not be interested in MSLP loans.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 7 41.2 4 66.7 3 27.3
Somewhat important 7 41.2 2 33.3 5 45.5
Very important 3 17.6 0 0.0 3 27.3
Total 17 100 6 100 11 100

E. Key loan terms under the MSLP were not attractive enough for my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 5 27.8 3 50.0 2 16.7
Somewhat important 9 50.0 3 50.0 6 50.0
Very important 4 22.2 0 0.0 4 33.3
Total 18 100 6 100 12 100

9. For borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP that made a C&I loan inquiry and to which your bank did not approve an MSLP loan, even though your bank was registered for the MSLP, how important were the following reasons in preventing participation in the MSLP? (Please rate each possible reason using the following scale: 1=not important, 2=somewhat important, 3=very important.)

A. The firm was already in poor financial condition before the COVID-19 crisis, such that the firm would likely be unable to repay the loan.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 6 10.5 1 4.5 5 14.3
Somewhat important 12 21.1 4 18.2 8 22.9
Very important 39 68.4 17 77.3 22 62.9
Total 57 100 22 100 35 100

B. The firm was creditworthy before the COVID-19 crisis, but too severely impacted to remain viable and hence unable to repay the loan.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 13 22.8 2 9.1 11 31.4
Somewhat important 22 38.6 7 31.8 15 42.9
Very important 22 38.6 13 59.1 9 25.7
Total 57 100 22 100 35 100

C. My bank approved a PPP loan instead, which was considered a better option than an MSLP loan.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 38 69.1 18 90.0 20 57.1
Somewhat important 10 18.2 1 5.0 9 25.7
Very important 7 12.7 1 5.0 6 17.1
Total 55 100 20 100 35 100

D. The firm's planned use of an MSLP bank loan was not financially sound.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 18 31.6 8 36.4 10 28.6
Somewhat important 13 22.8 4 18.2 9 25.7
Very important 26 45.6 10 45.5 16 45.7
Total 57 100 22 100 35 100

E. The borrower did not qualify for MSLP loans for reasons other than size or was not interested in an MSLP loan.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 8 13.8 1 4.8 7 18.9
Somewhat important 19 32.8 6 28.6 13 35.1
Very important 31 53.4 14 66.7 17 45.9
Total 58 100 21 100 37 100

F. Key loan terms under the MSLP were not attractive enough to make participation profitable for my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 35 63.6 19 90.5 16 47.1
Somewhat important 10 18.2 2 9.5 8 23.5
Very important 10 18.2 0 0.0 10 29.4
Total 55 100 21 100 34 100

10. If your bank did not approve an MSLP loan or has not registered for the MSLP because the borrowers would not qualify or not be interested in MSLP loans, how important were the following considerations? (Please rate each possible consideration using the following scale: 1=not important, 2=somewhat important, 3=very important.)

A. The borrower's debt-to-adjusted EBITDA was too high to meet the requirements for an MSLP loan.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 11 19.3 1 4.8 10 27.8
Somewhat important 13 22.8 4 19.0 9 25.0
Very important 33 57.9 16 76.2 17 47.2
Total 57 100 21 100 36 100

B. The interest rate was too high for the borrower.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 44 78.6 16 76.2 28 80.0
Somewhat important 8 14.3 3 14.3 5 14.3
Very important 4 7.1 2 9.5 2 5.7
Total 56 100 21 100 35 100

C. The principal amortization schedule was too steep for the borrower.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 19 33.9 11 52.4 8 22.9
Somewhat important 27 48.2 8 38.1 19 54.3
Very important 10 17.9 2 9.5 8 22.9
Total 56 100 21 100 35 100

D. The 5-year maturity term was too short for the borrower.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 32 57.1 15 71.4 17 48.6
Somewhat important 17 30.4 5 23.8 12 34.3
Very important 7 12.5 1 4.8 6 17.1
Total 56 100 21 100 35 100

E. The minimum loan size was too high for the borrower.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 38 67.9 17 81.0 21 60.0
Somewhat important 14 25.0 3 14.3 11 31.4
Very important 4 7.1 1 4.8 3 8.6
Total 56 100 21 100 35 100

F. The origination and transaction fees were too high for the borrower.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 37 67.3 16 76.2 21 61.8
Somewhat important 15 27.3 3 14.3 12 35.3
Very important 3 5.5 2 9.5 1 2.9
Total 55 100 21 100 34 100

G. The expectation to retain employees during the term of the MSLP loan was too restrictive for the borrower.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 28 50.0 11 52.4 17 48.6
Somewhat important 22 39.3 8 38.1 14 40.0
Very important 6 10.7 2 9.5 4 11.4
Total 56 100 21 100 35 100

H. The required certifications and covenants were too restrictive for the borrower, such as those restricting debt repayments, compensation, or capital distributions.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 7 12.7 2 10.0 5 14.3
Somewhat important 20 36.4 6 30.0 14 40.0
Very important 28 50.9 12 60.0 16 45.7
Total 55 100 20 100 35 100

11. If your bank did not approve an MSLP loan or has not registered for the MSLP because key MSLP loan terms were not attractive enough for your bank, how important were the following considerations? (Please rate each possible consideration using the following scale: 1=not important, 2=somewhat important, 3=very important.)

A. The maximum loan size was too low for my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 28 93.3 5 83.3 23 95.8
Somewhat important 2 6.7 1 16.7 1 4.2
Very important 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Total 30 100 6 100 24 100

B. The origination and servicing fees were too low for my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 24 80.0 6 100.0 18 75.0
Somewhat important 5 16.7 0 0.0 5 20.8
Very important 1 3.3 0 0.0 1 4.2
Total 30 100 6 100 24 100

C. The lender's retention share was too high for my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 22 71.0 5 83.3 17 68.0
Somewhat important 6 19.4 1 16.7 5 20.0
Very important 3 9.7 0 0.0 3 12.0
Total 31 100 6 100 25 100

D. The loss-sharing with the MSLP in the event of a default was too uncertain.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 7 22.6 2 33.3 5 20.0
Somewhat important 12 38.7 3 50.0 9 36.0
Very important 12 38.7 1 16.7 11 44.0
Total 31 100 6 100 25 100

E. The required certifications and covenants were too restrictive for my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 14 46.7 2 33.3 12 50.0
Somewhat important 11 36.7 4 66.7 7 29.2
Very important 5 16.7 0 0.0 5 20.8
Total 30 100 6 100 24 100

12. For borrowers to whom your bank approved a C&I loan intended for the MSLP, how common were the following characteristics? (Please rate each possible borrower characteristic using the following scale: 1=not common (e.g., less than 30 percent), 2=somewhat common (e.g., 30 percent to 70 percent), 3=very common (more than 70 percent).)

A. The borrower was a new client at my bank.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 14 66.7 9 81.8 5 50.0
Somewhat important 2 9.5 1 9.1 1 10.0
Very important 5 23.8 1 9.1 4 40.0
Total 21 100 11 100 10 100

B. The borrower suffered significant reductions in revenue or employment due to the COVID-19 crisis that go beyond seasonal or trend changes.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 2 9.5 0 0.0 2 20.0
Somewhat important 2 9.5 1 9.1 1 10.0
Very important 17 81.0 10 90.9 7 70.0
Total 21 100 11 100 10 100

C. The borrower intended to use the proceeds to cover payroll and other expenditures for a few months.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 4 19.0 1 9.1 3 30.0
Somewhat important 8 38.1 5 45.5 3 30.0
Very important 9 42.9 5 45.5 4 40.0
Total 21 100 11 100 10 100

D. The borrower intended to use the proceeds to fund new capital expenditures.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 10 47.6 6 54.5 4 40.0
Somewhat important 10 47.6 4 36.4 6 60.0
Very important 1 4.8 1 9.1 0 0.0
Total 21 100 11 100 10 100

E. The borrower intended to use the proceeds to rollover maturing bank loans or other debt, or to offset a credit line cancellation.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 11 55.0 9 81.8 2 22.2
Somewhat important 6 30.0 1 9.1 5 55.6
Very important 3 15.0 1 9.1 2 22.2
Total 20 100 11 100 9 100

F. The borrower had access to alternative sources of funds other than bilateral loans, such as equity, corporate bonds, commercial paper, or syndicated loans.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 16 76.2 9 81.8 7 70.0
Somewhat important 3 14.3 0 0.0 3 30.0
Very important 2 9.5 2 18.2 0 0.0
Total 21 100 11 100 10 100

G. The borrower had access to other bank credit products such as commercial real estate loans, home equity loans, or credit cards.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 12 57.1 7 63.6 5 50.0
Somewhat important 6 28.6 1 9.1 5 50.0
Very important 3 14.3 3 27.3 0 0.0
Total 21 100 11 100 10 100

H. The borrower could also qualify for PPP loans.

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Not important 10 47.6 4 36.4 6 60.0
Somewhat important 8 38.1 6 54.5 2 20.0
Very important 3 14.3 1 9.1 2 20.0
Total 21 100 11 100 10 100



Finally, Questions 13-14 ask about your bank's outlook regarding future inquiries by eligible borrowers and your bank's future participation in the MSLP.

13. Looking forward over the next three months and assuming that economic activity progresses in line with consensus forecasts, how do you expect the number of C&I loan inquiries from borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP to change at your bank compared to their current level, apart from seasonal variation? I expect the number of inquiries to:

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Increase substantially. 1 1.3 0 0.0 1 2.0
Increase somewhat. 25 31.6 8 26.7 17 34.7
Stay about the same 47 59.5 19 63.3 28 57.1
Decrease somewhat 5 6.3 2 6.7 3 6.1
Decrease substantially 1 1.3 1 3.3 0 0.0
Total 79 100 30 100 49 100

For this question, 7 respondents answered "My bank does not expect to receive any inquiries from borrowers of an eligible size for the MSLP."

14. Looking forward over the next three months and assuming that economic activity progresses in line with consensus forecasts, how do you expect your bank's willingness to extend MSLP loans to borrowers of an eligible size change compared to its current level? I expect my bank's willingness to:

 

  All Respondents Large Banks Other Banks
Banks Percent Banks Percent Banks Percent
Increase significantly. 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Increase somewhat. 9 13.4 2 7.4 7 17.5
Stay about the same. 56 83.6 25 92.6 31 77.5
Decrease somewhat 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Decrease significantly 2 3.0 0 0.0 2 5.0
Total 67 100 27 100 40 100

For this question, 19 respondents answered "My bank does not expect to participate in the MSLP."


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 $50 billion or more as of March 31, 2020. The combined assets of the 29 large banks totaled $5.2 trillion, compared to $12.6 trillion for the entire panel of 86 banks, and $17.1 trillion for all domestically chartered, federally insured commercial banks. Return to text

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Last Update: September 29, 2020