With a most extraordinary year behind us, we check on the credit health of U.S. households. Household’s financial health drives demand for credit to make purchases and, along with employment, impacts a borrower’s ability to repay debt. The securitization markets look to these metrics and others to better understand consumer demand for credit and changes to credit risk, a particular concern given the unevenness of the recovery.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. And the Fed continues to respond appropriately. On April 9, the Federal Reserve once again drew on its full range of authorities to expand and establish lending facilities to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to stabilize households, communities and businesses of all sizes during the pandemic crisis and to “ensure that the eventual recovery is as vigorous as possible”.

Aircraft ABS are currently insulated from coronavirus-related disruption in global travel. Still, a prolonged slowdown in global air traffic would negatively impact aircraft ABS structures.

SFA's recent CLO white paper explores balancing crucial lending with financial safety and soundness.