Finance & economics | Pandemic pendulum

Why are bank bosses sounding more optimistic about loan losses?

They were hyper-prudent in April. Now the worst-case scenario might be off the cards

GAUGING HOW badly the coronavirus has damaged the economy is tricky. Pessimists diagnose a far worse recession than that which followed the financial crisis. Optimists predict a sharp recovery, pointing to robust banks and housing markets.

This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Pandemic pendulum”

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