Edgy Banks Crack Down on Revolving Credit Lines

Banks, lashed by the credit crunch and wary of defaults, have shortened the terms on revolving credit lines—typically running for 3 or 5 years—to less than a year, the Wall Street Journal reports. Often a little-used safety net before the recession, so-called revolvers had low interest rates; now, banks are charging higher rates determined by companies’ credit ratings and the costs of insuring the debt.

Both businesses and consumers are facing tougher terms at a time when access to cash can be the difference between surviving the downturn and not. Around $600 billion in revolvers are set to expire between now and the end of 2010. In the first quarter of 2009, 72% of revolving credit lines issued to investment-grade companies had 1-year maturities; none had 5-year terms. (More corporate credit stories.)