The January 2025 SLOOS examined changes in bank lending standards, terms, and demand for loans to businesses and households over the fourth quarter of 2024. It also included special questions about banks’ expectations for 2025.

Key Findings

1. Business Loans

• Tighter Lending Standards: Banks tightened lending standards for commercial and industrial (C&I) loans across all firm sizes.
• Stronger Demand: Demand for C&I loans increased for large and middle-market firms but remained unchanged for small firms.
• Commercial Real Estate (CRE): Lending standards tightened slightly, while demand for CRE loans remained mostly unchanged.

2. Household Loans

• Residential Real Estate (RRE) Loans: Lending standards remained unchanged, but demand weakened across most loan types.
• Consumer Loans:
  • Credit Cards: Standards tightened, and demand weakened.
  • Auto Loans: Standards and demand remained unchanged.
  • Other Consumer Loans: Standards stayed the same, but demand declined.
• Home Equity...

President Trump's recent launch of the $TRUMP meme coin has sparked significant debate among his supporters and the broader public. As a steadfast supporter since his 2016 election, I have consistently aligned with his socially conservative policies and overarching vision for America. However, this foray into the cryptocurrency realm raises several questions about his underlying intentions.

Potential Motivations Behind the $TRUMP Coin:

1. Financial Gain: The rapid appreciation of $TRUMP, which saw its market cap soar to $7.8 billion shortly after launch, suggests a lucrative opportunity. With 80% of the coin's supply held by Trump-affiliated entities, the financial benefits are substantial.  

   WSJ

2. Message to Financial Institutions: By embracing cryptocurrency, President Trump might be signaling a shift away from traditional banking systems, emphasizing the growing importance of digital assets in the modern economy. His previous statements about making the U.S. a "crypto...