Business · Economy · 4 hrs ago
US Banks Tightened Business Lending Standards in Third-Quarter Survey
US banks tightened business lending standards slightly more often than they eased them in the third quarter of 2026.
The Federal Reserve published the findings on November 2 from its quarterly survey of bank lending.
The clearest tightening was for loans to nonbank borrowers.
The survey asks banks about lending standards and changes in demand for loans from businesses and households.
The findings point to slightly tighter access to business loans than in the previous quarter, though the supplied information gives no figures for the change.
The survey covered 61 US banks and was conducted from September 21 to October 5.
The findings describe that quarter; no further action or next step is specified.
The share of US banks that tightened business lending standards slightly exceeded the share that eased them in the Federal Reserve’s third-quarter survey.
Tightening was particularly notable for lending to nonbank financial institutions.
The Federal Reserve released the survey on November 2, 2026.
The survey covered July through September 2026 and was conducted from September 21 to October 5.
- Who
- US banks and the Federal Reserve.
- What
- The survey found that slightly more banks tightened business lending standards than eased them. Tightening was particularly notable for lending to nonbanks.
- When
- The survey covered July through September 2026 and was released on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Federal Reserve conducted its survey of bank lending standards and demand.
The Federal Reserve released the survey results.
- Survey period
- July–September 2026
- Survey dates
- September 21–October 5, 2026
- Release date
- November 2, 2026
- Business lending standards
- The share of banks tightening slightly exceeded the share easing
- Notable tightening
- Lending to nonbanks