Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-01-15 00:44Core Viewpoint - Despite the affordability crisis faced by many Americans, large banks in the U.S. are not experiencing significant pressure, with consumer spending increasing and credit card delinquency rates declining [1][5]. Group 1: Economic Outlook - Major banks, including Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo, reported strong economic outlooks for at least 2026, indicating resilience among households and small businesses [1]. - JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon noted a positive outlook for the next 6 to 12 months, highlighting that consumers have money and job availability remains despite a slightly weak job market [1]. - Bank of America's CFO Alastair Borthwick stated that consumers are in an "excellent state," with no signs of increased borrowing or reduced savings to maintain living standards [1]. Group 2: Consumer Spending and Retail Sales - Consumer spending continues to rise, aligning with economic growth, supported by strong retail sales data for November, which showed the most robust growth since July due to a rebound in auto purchases and holiday shopping [2]. - Wells Fargo's CEO Charlie Scharf mentioned that alternative early indicators, such as unemployment benefits and direct deposit amounts, do not show significant trend changes, indicating stability [2]. Group 3: Credit Card Performance - Large banks are experiencing a decline in credit card bad debt losses, with delinquency rates not worsening and actual bad debt losses expected to decrease by 2025 [5]. - Despite rising delinquency rates among lower-income borrowers, major banks are not feeling the impact significantly, and smaller banks may reveal more consumer pressure in upcoming reports [5][6]. Group 4: Policy Implications - Proposed policies targeting high credit card interest rates and rental properties by President Trump are opposed by major banks, as they could harm profitability and restrict credit access for high-risk borrowers [5]. - JPMorgan has expressed a strong stance against such potential policies, indicating readiness to take legal action if necessary [5].