On Wednesday, the central bank said that loans at commercial banks rose last month for the first time in eight years.

Nonperforming loans rose to $1.1 billion, up only $95 million from the end of the year.

Bankers Trust said delinquent loans rose 42 percent over the year, to $1.84 billion.

"If the economy were to pick up, you'd see loans rise and bank deposit yields not far behind."

The company said loans outstanding in the quarter rose 16 percent from a year ago, to $111 billion.

Bad loans rose $65 million to $2.84 billion in the quarter.

Bad loans rose 1.9 percent in the six months ended Sept. 30.

Bad loans at banks have thus been rising, too.

Such loans rose 63 percent last year, but could lose their consumer appeal when interest rates rise.

Nonperforming loans rose $145 million since the end of the last fiscal year, to $1.164 billion.