BoC reports on Canadian biz lending and performance

The Bank of Canada released two surveys this morning.

The Q4 Senior Loan Officer Survey focuses on changes to business-lending practices in the last quarter of 2012, and the Business Outlook Survey looks at the economic forecasts of more than 100 Canadian firms.

Among other findings, the loan officer survey finds, “There was virtually no change in overall business-lending conditions during the fourth quarter of 2012. This follows several consecutive quarters of easing in credit conditions for business borrowers.”

It adds, “Both the price and non- price aspects of business lending were unchanged during the quarter.” Read the survey summary.

The Business Outlook Survey also says little has changed regarding overall business performance. It says, “Firms have faced a period of softness in economic conditions, [though] their internal efforts to generate higher sales growth and improve competitiveness contributed to a rise in the indicators of future sales and investment.”

It adds, “Overall, uncertainty continued to temper expectations for business activity”, and affirms employment intentions are also little changed.

Businesses still expect, however, that they’ll have higher sales growth over the next year despite demand and competition concerns. Read the survey summary.

Also read:

Sharp decline in Canadian business confidence

Prepare to be squeezed

Reach out to biz owner clients