Lending was growing modestly in most Federal Reserve districts during the latest quarter, but some districts still reported “flat” or even “declining” growth in borrowing, according to the latest report from the banks issued Wednesday.
In the Beige Book for the quarter ending Jan. 6, seven Federal Reserve banks reported moderate or steady loan growth in their districts. Four districts, of the 11 reporting, noted flat or declining loan growth.
The districts noting growth pointed to such loan categories as residential mortgages and commercial real estate, credit cards, overall consumer loans, and personal credit. Districts reporting positive or modest loan growth included New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, and San Francisco.
Meanwhile, districts reporting flat or declining loan growth cited such loan categories as business, commercial real estate, agricultural, and commercial and industrial. Districts reporting the flat or declining loan growth included Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago (reporting mixed results), and Kansas City.