CSBS Survey Shows Pandemic Impact on Community Banks

Concern about business conditions surpassed funding as the greatest challenge for community banks as they navigated the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Conference of State Bank Supervisors’ (CSBS) seventh annual national survey. 

Last year, funding led the top concern, and only 6% of respondents listed business conditions as a challenge. However, this year, business conditions leapt to the top, with 34% of banks reporting it was their greatest challenge. Only 9% of respondents listed funding as their top concern, down from 23% a year prior. Relationship lending continued to be a strength of community banks as their communities adjusted to the pandemic’s economic fallout. Community bankers reported increasing their loans to small businesses by 40% for the year ended in June. Other key findings from the 2020 survey include:
  • More than 40% of respondents said supervisory expectations for due diligence of third-party providers were an impediment to establishing new third-party relationships. 
  • Sixty-three percent of respondents said the regulatory burden from the Bank Secrecy Act is a major concern  
  • While last year’s survey showed community banks were embracing technology, the actual number of those offering digital and online services remains largely unchanged due to cost. 

To access the survey report, click here.