Banks in an Overheated Market: When Credit Growth Is Dangerous
Credit expansion is often celebrated as a sign of prosperity. More loans mean more investment, more consumer spending, and faster growth. Yet the story changes when expansion becomes excessive. In overheated markets, banks loosen standards, chase short-term profits, and pump money into the economy without considering risks. Borrowers take on obligations they cannot sustain, while banks fill portfolios with fragile loans. What looks like a boom is actually a setup for defaults, shrinking margins, and eventual instability. Understanding when credit growth turns from healthy to dangerous is crucial for lenders, borrowers, and regulators alike.

