Colorado’s state-chartered banks and thrifts collectively lost $47 million in the first quarter as they coped with rising loan delinquencies and write-offs, according to a report Wed nesday from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
The loss among Colorado’s 114 FDIC-insured institutions contrasts with a $3 million gain in the fourth quarter and a $97 million gain in the first quarter of last year.
It also bucks the national trend, which saw banks earn $7.6 billion in the first quarter after a record $36.9 billion loss in the fourth.
Total loans and leases among Colorado institutions rose to $26.9 billion in the quarter, from $23.4 billion in the same period a year earlier.
That supports claims from the Colorado Bankers Association that the banks have not cut back on lending.
The report shows the growing stress that banks face. About 3.61 percent of loans and leases at state-chartered institutions were delinquent in the first quarter, compared with 1.36 percent a year ago.
Aldo Svaldi: 303-954-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com
