The Number of Financial Institutions Issuing Brokered CDs Temporarily Declines

The number of institutions issuing brokered CDs grew significantly in 2018 and 2019. Banks, savings institutions, and credit unions rose from a plateau of 961 in 2017 and increased to a peak of 1,356 in the 2^nd quarter of 2019.

The subsequent decline was due to, first, the rise in the federal funds rate to 2.5% at year-end 2018, maintaining that rate above other short-term yields, and raising interest rates on brokered CDs above other deposit rates and short-term T-Bill and T-Note yields in 2019. As a result, the growth in the number of institutions issuing brokered CDs less than $250,000 slowed to 1,278 by year-end 2019. Second, the advent of Covid-19 in the first quarter of 2020 reduced short-term US Treasuries to zero, as the Federal Reserve stimulated the economy. As a result, financial institutions issuing brokered CDs declined, falling to 866 in the second quarter of 2021.

At IDC Financial Publishing (IDCFP), we project a future resumption of growth in the total value of brokered CDs less than $250,000. The number of institutions issuing these CDs is expected to continue to decline through 2021Q4. Then, following economic recovery from Covid-19 and a more positive yield curve, the forecast for the number of institutions issuing these CDs to rise again, reaching 1,000 by the end of 2023 (see Chart I & II).

Chart I

Chart II

The Value of Brokered CDs per Issuing Institution Continues to Rise on Trend

The value of brokered CDs issued per financial institution grew exponentially over the last two decades, due to an increase in government insured levels to $250K, bank mergers, and strong growth in loans for those core banks and credit unions issuing brokered CDs. The value grew from an average of $78 million in 1999 to a peak of $360.6 million by the 1^st quarter of 2020. The value per institution subsequently declined until last quarter, due to the short-term recession caused by Covid-19, reaching a low of $276.9 million. However, in 2021Q2 the value rebounded and rose to $289.2 million.

Each quarter, IDCFP estimates the total value of brokered CDs less than $250K and divides it by the total number of financial institutions issuing these CDs. This determines the estimated average value of insured brokered CDs per issuing financial institution. In the 4^th quarter of 2008, the average value peaked at $166 million, and then fell to $137 million in 2010, due to the banking crisis. Since then, the value per institution has risen, reaching a peak of $361 million in the 1^st quarter of 2020. With the advent of Covid-19 and near-zero short-term treasury yields, brokered CDs per issuing bank fell to a low of $276.9 million as of March 31^st, 2021, but are again on the rise, and projected to reach $290 million by the end of the year. With continued economic recovery, the forecast of this future dollar growth will be $1.25 million per quarter in 2022 and 2023, reaching an average of $300 million by year-end 2023 (see Chart III).

Chart III

Quarterly Growth in Outstanding Brokered CDs Forecast at $4.5 Billion in 2022 and $12.5 Billion in 2023

Following economic recovery from Covid-19, stimulus from Federal spending, i.e., infrastructure spending, and other government initiatives, will supplement the increase in private spending. As forecasted by the Federal Reserve, GDP growth is expected to expand to 7.0% this year, 3.3% in 2022, and 2.4% in 2023. This, in turn, will create bank lending, as the U.S. 5-year yield continues to rise toward 1%, and increase the number of financial institutions issuing brokered CDs. Currently, outstanding brokered CDs account for 28% of their time deposits, up from 17% in the 4^th quarter of 2008. This percentage has grown on trend from 2008 to 2019 and is expected to reach 30% by year-end 2023.

To forecast growth of DTC brokered CDs outstanding, we multiply the number of commercial banks, savings institutions, and credit unions with outstanding brokered CDs, times our estimate of the average of insured brokered CDs per issuing financial institution. Though we expect total brokered CDs will continue to decline to $232 billion and remain there through 2021Q4, we anticipate a rebound in 2022, with the total reaching $300 billion by year-end 2023.

Following economic recovery, we forecast DTC brokered CDs outstanding to increase 20% from the reported $250 billion at quarter-end 2020Q3 and reach $300 billion by year-end 2023 (see Chart IV).

Chart IV

The Federal Reserve Policy into 2023 Remains Depressing Short-Term Yields to Aid in Economic Recovery

The 5-year nominal U.S. Treasury is the basis for pricing the long end of 3 to 5-year maturity ladder for brokered CDs $250,000 or less. Over the next two years, yields are projected to increase following the control of COVID-19 and with economic recovery. To avoid the decline in bond prices as yields rise, investors buy CDs, staggering maturities over years in a maturity ladder.

However, to get an increase in the nominal 5-year yield, the Fed needs to step aside from buying these bonds, which holds down the yield. Evidence can be seen in the continuous decline in the yield on 5-year TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities). The sustained decline to -1.7%, with a stable nominal yield at 0.8% due to Fed buying, creates a spread which is the inflation expectation (the 2.5% difference between the 5-year nominal yield and 5-year TIPS). Despite the increase in anticipated inflation, the nominal yield remains flat around 0.8%, forcing the TIPS yield to remain near lows. Brokered CDs will again become attractive once the nominal yields rise to 1.5% to 2.0% and the TIPS yield stabilizes or increases (see Chart V).

Chart V

For further information or to view our products and services please visit our website www.idcfp.com or contact us at 800-525-5457 or info@idcfp.com.

John E Rickmeier, CFA
President
jer@idcfp.com

Robin Rickmeier
Marketing Director