High Leverage On The Balance SheetElevated leverage increases sensitivity to funding and interest-rate stress, constraining strategic flexibility. With a relatively low equity base, earnings shocks or higher provisioning could quickly erode capital cushions and limit the bank's ability to expand lending or absorb losses.
Declining Lending And Deposit VolumesContraction in loans and deposits reduces scale for net interest income and fee income, making margin gains harder to sustain long term. Persistent shrinkage limits balance-sheet leverage to generate earnings, placing more reliance on margin improvement and cost control.
Rising Nonperforming AssetsAn uptick in nonperforming assets indicates emerging credit stress that can require higher provisions and impair earnings. Coupled with elevated leverage, worsening asset quality could pressure capital and constrain growth initiatives until credit trends stabilize.