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Banks build rainy-day buffers to prepare for defaults tied to hurricanes

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Highlights risks to credit portfolios from climate-related events

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Florida customers expected to see the majority of the impact

By Manya Saini and Niket Nishant

Oct 28 (Reuters) - Several regional lenders allocated loan-loss provisions in the third

quarter to cover potential defaults by borrowers grappling with recent hurricanes, primarily in

Florida, highlighting the risks extreme weather and climate change pose to banks.

Two devastating hurricanes struck the Sunshine State in late September and early October,

causing loss of life, damaging homes, public property, and power lines, and impacting millions

living along the coastline.

The financial sector is also feeling the impact, with regional lenders like Valley

National Bancorp ( VLY ) taking steps to mitigate potential losses.

The bank, which has around $62 billion in assets and operates 230 branches nationwide,

with 40 of them in Florida, set aside $8 million in reserves to mitigate Hurricane Helene's

impact.

"While not anticipated based on information currently available, Hurricane Milton and

unexpected losses from Hurricane Helene could result in a significant increase to the current

hurricane-related reserves within the allowance, loan charge-offs, and our provision for the

fourth quarter," the company said in a statement earlier this month.

Climate-related risks have long been a concern for banks and regulators, who have been

striving to integrate these factors into their loan portfolio assessments.

While traditional loan underwriting typically considers economic risks and interest

rates, the impact of extreme climate events on borrowers' creditworthiness can be both

significant and unpredictable.

Properties pledged as collateral for mortgages may be destroyed, prompting banks to adjust

their risk ratings.

Business closures could also strain customers' finances, prompting them to fall behind on

credit card payments.

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida ( SBCF ), with $15.2 billion in assets and 77

branches, expects to take provisions of $5 million-$10 million in the fourth quarter due to

Hurricane Milton but warns the full impact on hardest-hit regions is still unclear.

First Bancorp and United Community Banks ( UCB ) took provisions of $13 million and

$9.9 million due to Helene. Meanwhile, Florida-based BankUnited ( BKU ) stated it is finalizing

its assessment of Milton's impact.

The financial loss will extend beyond banks, with analysts expecting insurers to be on the

hook for losses exceeding $100 billion.

Hurricane Milton devastated Florida, causing at least 10 deaths and widespread power

outages. This followed Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 storm,

moved north through several states, and

left a trail of destruction and numerous fatalities.

Still, banks may see an uptick in business in the upcoming quarters as individuals affected

by disasters seek financing to rebuild their homes and revitalize their businesses.

Typically, there is a significant rise in loans after such events, driven by higher demand

for mortgages, small business, and consumer loans, according to a report published by the

Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2021.

Analysts suggest that banks may also provide concessions, such as lower interest rates,

deferred payments, and income-contingent plans, to alleviate the financial burden on borrowers.