US-Iran Conflict Tightens US Lending Standards

The ongoing US-Iran conflict has led lenders in the United States to quietly raise internal cutoffs and add underwriting overlays, despite no changes in consumer credit data, according to BeInCrypto. The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil supply route, has driven Brent crude prices above $120 per barrel, pushing US inflation to 3.2% in March 2026. This has resulted in a 10-year Treasury yield increase to 4.48% and a rise in fixed 30-year mortgage rates for five consecutive weeks. The lending squeeze is most pronounced for borrowers with FICO scores between 640 and 720, affecting first-time homebuyers and middle-income individuals. Markets now anticipate no Federal Reserve rate cuts for 2026, as geopolitical risks continue to influence lending practices.