US bank lending contracted by the most on record in the last two weeks of March, indicating a tightening of credit conditions in the wake of several high-profile bank collapses that risks damaging the economy.

Commercial bank lending dropped nearly $105 billion in the two weeks ended March 29, the most in Federal Reserve data back to 1973. The more than $45 billion decrease in the latest week was primarily due to a a drop in loans by small banks.

The last two years have been a roller coaster for businesses. The early pandemic lockdowns initially wreaked havoc on small businesses; and then we saw what some consider to be a market overcorrection. Relief came in the form of PPP loans, Main Street Lending, and various other subsidies and programs. We look to the data – year over year commercial bankruptcy filings are down 31% and Chapter 11 filings are down 48%. Comparing 2021 to 2019, commercial bankruptcy filings are down 31% and Chapter 11 filings are down 33%.