East West Commercial Real Estate

Small business lending picks up tentatively
More banks are participating in federally backed SBA loan programs again, but they’re not fully committed. Federally backed loans to small businesses in Southern California and across the nation are increasing as more banks participate in federal lending programs — at least for now.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Banks Return to Commercial Mortgage Bonds
Once dominant, and then dormant, commercial real estate loans are beginning to show signs of life on the trading floor after a two-year slump, Jotham Sederstrom reports in The New York Times.

Read more on New York Times

Fed’s Duke: Bank Lending Dropping, May Lag For Years
Bank lending continues to decline nationwide even though the banking sector is recovering, and it may be years before lending returns to pre-crisis levels, Federal Reserve Governor Elizabeth Duke said on Wednesday.

Read more on Banker & Tradesman

Brokers also want to be your banker, lender
Big brokerages are working to boost banking and lending services to their clients, eager for new revenue to offset the squeeze from volatile markets and nervous clients clinging to low-margin bond and cash funds.

Read more on Reuters via Yahoo! News