Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza: The total number of Palestinians killed due to famine and malnutrition has risen to 313, including 119 children
Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip: 10 people, including two children, have died of starvation in the past 24 hours
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: US envoy Tom Barrack cancels his visit to Tyre and al-Khiam amid popular protests
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces carried out an explosion in the southern border town of Kfar Kila
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.

US corporate loan delinquencies hit 8-year high: FT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Financial Times
  • 17 Feb 2025 16:33
3 Min Read

At the end of 2024, corporate borrowers were behind on more than $28 billion in bank loans, an increase of $2.2 billion in the final quarter and $5.4 billion over the past year.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    A 'Business for sale' sign outside a convenience store tells the story of how high gas prices are effecting many small business owners across the country in Meriden, Kan., Wednesday July 2, 2008 (AP Photo/Chuck France)

The Financial Times on Monday reported that corporate loan delinquencies in the US have reached their highest level in nearly eight years, raising concerns among credit analysts about the potential impact of tariffs on corporate finances.

Despite a stable economy and continued consumer spending, businesses are struggling with persistently high interest rates. Unlike other types of debt, corporate bank loans typically have variable interest rates, which fluctuate in response to market changes.

At the end of 2024, corporate borrowers were behind on more than $28 billion in bank loans, an increase of $2.2 billion in the final quarter and $5.4 billion over the past year, according to regulatory data compiled by BankRegData. This figure does not account for loans from private credit funds and direct lenders, which have become a growing part of corporate financing.

The delinquency rate for corporate loans from US banks, including those issued to foreign companies, rose to 1.3% by year-end—the highest since early 2017. Meanwhile, corporate borrowing declined by $100 billion in the fourth quarter, though part of this drop stemmed from regulatory adjustments redefining certain types of loans.

Read more: US corporate bankruptcies hit 14-year high amid inflation, weak demand

Concerns Over Interest Rates and Inflation

Related News

House Democrats urge Rubio to admit injured Gaza kids after visa halt

Popular protests compel US delegation to cancel tour in Tyre, al-Khiam

Many businesses had expected relief from lower interest rates in 2024 after inflation slowed last year. However, recent data showed inflation stalled, with consumer prices rising by 3% in January, largely due to higher food costs. Economists now warn that new tariffs introduced by former President Trump could reignite inflation or, at the very least, delay any rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

"Mid-size companies are going to struggle in a higher for longer environment," said David Hamilton, head of research and analytics at Moody's. "Large companies are doing fine, but there are a growing number of small and midsized companies that the economy is not providing enough help."

Banks Remain Cautious but Optimistic

Despite the rise in corporate delinquencies, banks have not yet signaled alarm. Bank of America's chief executive, Brian Moynihan, addressed the issue during the company's recent earnings call, stating: "We're the largest lender to small businesses. Those customers tell us they are optimistic."

Corporate credit had been relatively stable post-pandemic, even as other forms of debt—such as auto loans and commercial real estate lending—began to see rising default rates. Corporate loan delinquencies only started increasing in late 2023. While the current rate remains far below the 5% level recorded during the 2008 financial crisis, analysts believe corporate borrowers will face mounting challenges in the coming months.

Read more: Trump's tariffs turn US into 'scary place to invest,' economist says

The biggest looming threat, analysts warn, is the long-term effect of tariffs. Larger corporations may have the financial flexibility to adapt to changes in trade policy, but smaller and mid-sized firms face a tougher road ahead.

"Tariffs, if they endure long enough, are going to inflict an enormous economic cost on small and mid-sized businesses," Hamilton said.

With borrowing costs remaining high and economic pressures intensifying, experts anticipate continued financial strain for businesses, particularly those without the capital reserves to withstand prolonged disruptions.

  • United States
  • Trump's tariffs
  • US companies
  • corporate debt
  • US
  • US economy

Most Read

Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025
The ‘Arab Façade’ for Israeli occupation in Gaza

The ‘Arab Façade’ for Israeli occupation in Gaza

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A scene showing an al-Qassam Brigades fighter during an ambush on July 7, 2025, in a video released by the al-Qassam Brigades on August 26, 2025 (al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)
Politics

Al-Qassam reveals Beit Hanoun ambush targeting Israeli forces

A Palestinian youth stands on a hill overlooking IsraelI Ofer Prison, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP)
Politics

77 Palestinian prisoners killed in Israeli prisons since October 7

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during a joint press conference with US deputy special envoy for Middle East peace Morgan Ortagus at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, Tuesday, August 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy Barrack calls Lebanese journalists 'animalistic"'

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)
Politics

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS