The Fed’s Senior Loan Officer Survey of the second quarter shows an increase in the demand for loans from large, medium and small firms (see Chart 1 and 2).


Chart 1 - 04 30 2012


At the same time, Charts 2 indicates that a few more number of banks have eased loan terms for large and medium sized firms in the second quarter survey but a majority are holding steady.


Chart 2 - 04 30 2012


There was a small increase in the percent of bank easing terms of loans for small businesses (see Chart 3) but the number of banks with unchanged policies remains at an elevated level.


Chart 3 - 04 30 2012


Demand for prime residential mortgages has picked up somewhat (see Chart 4).


Chart 4 - 04 30 2012


But, as Chart 5 shows, banks have essentially not changed standards for mortgage loans, which suggests that credit is still tight for home purchases.


Chart 5 - 04 30 2012


Demand for consumer loans – autos, credit card, and non-auto and credit cards – improved according to the second quarter survey.

Chart 6 - 04 30 2012