Journal Article

PPP Raised Community Bank Revenue but Lowered Profitability

Abstract: Community banks have played an outsized role in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), disbursing 37 percent of all PPP loans despite holding only 18 percent of outstanding bank loans. Although participation boosted community banks’ revenue by supporting asset and interest income growth, it appears to have lowered their profitability, at least initially: low interest rates and deferred fee collection on PPP loans reduced banks’ earning margins.

Keywords: Paycheck Protection Program; Bank loans; Community banks;

JEL Classification: E51; G21;

Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Part of Series: Economic Bulletin

Publication Date: 2020-12-23

Pages: 5