Two banks revealed losses linked to possible loan fraud
Shares of several US regional lenders fell sharply on Thursday after Zions Bancorporation and Western Alliance Bancorp disclosed losses tied to suspected loan fraud, unsettling investors already wary of the sector’s exposure to commercial credit risks.
Zions’ stock dropped more than 8% after the Salt Lake City–based bank said it would take a $50 million charge-off in the third quarter for two commercial and industrial loans originated by its California Bank & Trust subsidiary. The loans, totaling roughly $60 million, were reportedly extended to funds who invest in distressed commercial mortgages. Those businesses are now facing legal action. Zions has filed suit in California to recover funds, claiming its collateral was transferred to other entities without authorization
Phoenix-based Western Alliance also disclosed exposure to the same borrowers and said it initiated legal proceedings in August against Cantor Group V, LLC, alleging the company falsified title documents and diverted funds from pledged accounts. Western Alliance stated in filings that its collateral position remains sufficient and reaffirmed its 2025 financial guidance.
The twin disclosures triggered a selloff in regional bank shares. The KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index fell nearly 4 percent, with both banks leading the declines. Analysts described the episode as another test of investor confidence in mid-tier lenders grappling with higher interest rates and a softening commercial loan market.
“The optics of a large balance C&I loan to a fraudulent borrower from a bank that specializes in small balance C&I loans is not great,” Raymond James analysts wrote in a client note, adding that the situation “puts into question Zions’ underwriting standards and risk management policies.”
Fraud fallout adds to credit market anxiety
The allegations come on the heels of bankruptcies at First Brands Group and Tricolor Holdings, both of which left banks nursing losses on specialized credit exposures.
The recent revelations have renewed concerns about risk controls and transparency in the private credit market, where distressed-debt funds and nonbank lenders often operate with limited disclosure. “Following the prominent bankruptcies of Tricolor and First Brands, bank investors are rightfully on high alert for any change in asset quality trends,” analysts at KBW said in comments reported by Reuters
Analysts urge caution, but see no systemic threat
Some analysts cautioned against interpreting the events as signs of a broader crisis. “Bankruptcies and fraud are natural in markets, but it doesn’t always lead to something systemic,” David Wagner, head of equities at Aptus Capital Advisors, told Reuters
Still, the series of credit events has prompted comparisons to Jamie Dimon’s warning earlier this week. The JPMorgan chief executive told analysts that “when you see one cockroach, there are probably more, and so everyone should be forewarned.” His remarks, made during the bank’s earnings call, reflected a growing recognition that smaller credit blowups may signal deeper fragilities across lending segments
Reassurances and remaining risks
Both Zions and Western Alliance have sought to reassure investors. Western Alliance emphasized that its “total criticized assets were lower than on June 30,” while Zions characterized the situation as isolated.
Yet observers say the reputational stakes are significant. “Zions faces the challenge of showing that this is a one-off event and not indicative of broader supervision or credit control weakness,” said Brian Mulberry of Zacks Investment Management in the same report
For mortgage and commercial real estate lenders, the episode highlights renewed scrutiny over collateral verification, borrower transparency, and interlender exposure in syndicated or fund-based lending. As financial conditions tighten, even localized defaults can quickly ripple through confidence-sensitive sectors — a reality the regional banking complex is once again confronting.
