Senior Loan Officer Survey (SLOOS)
Track bank lending standards from the Fed's Senior Loan Officer Survey. Tightening credit means less lending and slower economic growth.
Current Value
Trigger Level: Net tightening >20% = credit crunch
Historical Trend
AI Analysis
Today's SLOOS Lending Standards value is 5.3%, indicating a modest net tightening in credit conditions. Over the past three weeks, the indicator has fluctuated significantly, peaking at 10% on multiple occasions but has stabilized at 5.3% since April 1, suggesting a potential reversal in lending conditions after a brief period of tightening. This trend suggests a reduced risk of a credit crunch, as the current level remains well below the critical threshold of 20%. However, the consistent value of 5.3% over the last week indicates a cautious lending environment, which could signal tightening economic conditions and a potential slowdown in growth.
What is the SLOOS Lending?
The Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS) is a quarterly Fed survey of up to 80 large banks tracking changes in lending standards and loan demand for business and consumer loans.
Why It Matters for Recession Risk
When banks tighten lending standards, credit becomes harder to obtain — slowing business investment and consumer spending. Net tightening above 20% has historically been associated with recessions or near-recession conditions.
Historical Context
Lending standards tightened dramatically before both the 2001 and 2008 recessions. Current standards remain on the tighter end of the range observed since 2005, reflecting ongoing bank caution.
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