We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Fed Signals High Rates for Long Term: What it Means for Banks?
Read MoreHide Full Article
As expected, the Federal Reserve held the interest rates steady at a 22-year high of 5.25-5.50%, while indicating one more hike before this year's end as “inflation remains elevated.” This marked the second time the central bank kept the rates unchanged since it began raising it effective March 2022.
The Fed officials, through the latest dot-plot, indicated the rates will remain high for a longer period. This dot-plot projected a 5.6% Fed funds rate through 2023. For the next year, rates will come down, but not as previously expected. The rates are projected to be down to 5.1%, higher than 4.6% estimated in June.
This shows that the officials are not likely to cut rates as fast as earlier expected. Though the central bank is still anticipating a “soft landing,” it will act more aggressively to slash interest rates if the economy tumbles into a recession.
Hence, the markets plunged. All three major indexes – S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq – ended in red yesterday. Likewise, the KBW Regional Banking Index and the S&P Banks Select Industry Index were down, indicating more pain ahead for banks.
Also, per the latest Summary of Economic Projections, stronger economic growth is expected for 2023. The U.S. economy is now anticipated to grow 2.1% this year, up substantially from June's 1% projection. Also, the labor market will likely continue to be more resilient than previously expected. The officials estimate the unemployment rate to be 3.8% this year, below the earlier 4.1% forecast.
Pain in Store for Banks in 2024
The Fed statement said, “The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient. Tighter credit conditions for households and businesses are likely to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation.” Hence, banks are likely to continue facing a tough operating backdrop into the next year.
Since the eruption of the banking crisis in March that led to the collapse of three large banks – Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, industry players (big and small) are facing unprecedented challenges.
The industry faces ambiguity related to new capital regulations and the path of interest rates. Concerns related to rising deposit costs, weakening credit quality (largely in commercial real estate) and rating downgrades continue to keep investors at bay.
Banks, including Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL - Free Report) , Zions (ZION - Free Report) , Comerica (CMA - Free Report) and KeyCorp (KEY - Free Report) , continue to witness investor apathy. Shares of these have declined at least 30% so far this year as they fight deposit outflows.
With the central bank likely to keep the rates higher for long, banks including WAL, ZION, KEY and CMA are expected to witness further deterioration in their profitability over the next year.
Growth in net interest income and margin, as well as loans, will likely remain compressed next year, leading to a further decline in revenues. With the rates remaining high, it will further weaken the credit quality in the quarters ahead.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Shutterstock
Fed Signals High Rates for Long Term: What it Means for Banks?
As expected, the Federal Reserve held the interest rates steady at a 22-year high of 5.25-5.50%, while indicating one more hike before this year's end as “inflation remains elevated.” This marked the second time the central bank kept the rates unchanged since it began raising it effective March 2022.
The Fed officials, through the latest dot-plot, indicated the rates will remain high for a longer period. This dot-plot projected a 5.6% Fed funds rate through 2023. For the next year, rates will come down, but not as previously expected. The rates are projected to be down to 5.1%, higher than 4.6% estimated in June.
This shows that the officials are not likely to cut rates as fast as earlier expected. Though the central bank is still anticipating a “soft landing,” it will act more aggressively to slash interest rates if the economy tumbles into a recession.
Hence, the markets plunged. All three major indexes – S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq – ended in red yesterday. Likewise, the KBW Regional Banking Index and the S&P Banks Select Industry Index were down, indicating more pain ahead for banks.
Also, per the latest Summary of Economic Projections, stronger economic growth is expected for 2023. The U.S. economy is now anticipated to grow 2.1% this year, up substantially from June's 1% projection. Also, the labor market will likely continue to be more resilient than previously expected. The officials estimate the unemployment rate to be 3.8% this year, below the earlier 4.1% forecast.
Pain in Store for Banks in 2024
The Fed statement said, “The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient. Tighter credit conditions for households and businesses are likely to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation.” Hence, banks are likely to continue facing a tough operating backdrop into the next year.
Since the eruption of the banking crisis in March that led to the collapse of three large banks – Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, industry players (big and small) are facing unprecedented challenges.
The industry faces ambiguity related to new capital regulations and the path of interest rates. Concerns related to rising deposit costs, weakening credit quality (largely in commercial real estate) and rating downgrades continue to keep investors at bay.
Banks, including Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL - Free Report) , Zions (ZION - Free Report) , Comerica (CMA - Free Report) and KeyCorp (KEY - Free Report) , continue to witness investor apathy. Shares of these have declined at least 30% so far this year as they fight deposit outflows.
With the central bank likely to keep the rates higher for long, banks including WAL, ZION, KEY and CMA are expected to witness further deterioration in their profitability over the next year.
Growth in net interest income and margin, as well as loans, will likely remain compressed next year, leading to a further decline in revenues. With the rates remaining high, it will further weaken the credit quality in the quarters ahead.