Core deposit growth at U.S. commercial banks accelerated in the first three quarters of 2025, by about 4% compared with 1.5% through the first three quarters of 2024. This was a welcomed improvement given that lending by banks also was higher in 2025, and banks use deposits to fund loans.
Read More about Banking Analytics: Core Deposit Growth Accelerated in 2025
As of Sept. 30, 2025, U.S. banks have reversed a nine-quarter decline in unfunded commercial real estate (CRE) commitments with a second quarter of growth. Unfunded commitments represent the off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to the remaining dollar amount borrowers can borrow under a loan agreement that is expected to be funded in the future. For example, a borrower has a commercial construction loan agreement allowing them to borrow up to $1 million with a current borrowed balance of $200,000; the remaining $800,000 would represent the unfunded commitment.
Read More about Banking Analytics: Banks Record Uptick in Unfunded CRE Commitments
The behavior of depositors, the consequences of bank failures and the evolution of small business lending were the three key themes of the 2025 Community Banking Research Conference, held Oct. 7-8 at the St. Louis Fed. The annual conference—sponsored by the Federal Reserve System, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)—spotlights emerging research on issues important to the community banking industry and features keynote addresses by leading community bankers and regulators. More than 1,300 academics, bankers and regulators participated in person or virtually.
Read More about Community Banking Conference Spotlights Research on Bank Failures
The Federal Reserve System has developed a Cybersecurity Resources for Community Banks document. The resource document is a compilation of publicly available cybersecurity content for community bankers. The document includes links to potential sources of information, cybersecurity self-assessment tools, supervisory letters, Federal Reserve produced materials, and law enforcement contact information.
Read More about New - Cybersecurity Resources for Community Banks is Now Available
The U.S. commercial banking industry posted satisfactory earnings, asset quality and capital in 2024, with several indicators up from their 2023 levels. Banks in Eighth District states also fared well, with most states posting solid earnings that are on par with or surpass national averages, and asset quality and capital measures that exceeded those of their national peers.
Read More about U.S. and Eighth District Banks Face Challenges but End 2024 on Solid Footing