The worst news for the economy might be coming from banks, not retail

[McFurd]

CNBC - 5/15/2017 - Jeff Cox - Loan issuance declined in the first quarter from the previous three-month period, the first time that has happened in four years, according to a SNL Financial. Commercial and industrial lending, which usually pops this time of year, posted just a small increase. The business climate, at least measured by the willingness to take on debt, remains cautious. Despite high levels of economic confidence expressed by business owners and consumers, one key indicator shows that it has not translated into much action yet. Loan issuance declined in the first quarter from the previous three-month period, the first time that has happened in four years, according to an SNL Financial analysis of bank earnings reports filed for the period. The total of recorded loans and leases fell to $9.297 trillion from $9.305 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2016. Read more @ http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/15/the-wors ... etail.html