What Empty Offices Mean for Banks and Lending

With recent rating downgrades of banks heavily exposed to commercial real estate (CRE)—and office space in particular—concerns about the US banking sector are resurfacing. The unprecedented shift to flexible work has not only prompted many companies to seek a smaller footprint but also spaces with greater energy efficiency for sustainability and modern amenities to lure workers back to the office.  In this episode of CEO Perspectives, Erin McLaughlin, Senior Economist in the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, joins Steve Odland, President and CEO, both of The Conference Board, to discuss what this shift and plummeting CRE values may mean for banking, lending, and economy in general.      Tune in to find out:     · How have business conditions changed in the wake of hybrid work arrangements?     · Small and mid-size banks hold the most CRE assets; what could this mean for their future or for M&A activity?   · What is the Fed doing to prevent bank failures?     · What are the potential ripple effects throughout the economy—and the urban landscape?       For more Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™:      · Read: 2023 Banking Crisis: US By the Numbers, 6-Month Update   · Watch: Economy Watch: The 2024 Global Economic Outlook