U.S. commercial banks added $38.0 billion in total loans and leases in February, pushing the industry's total balance to $9.668 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve's March 15 H.8 report.

This increase was powered mainly by a $13.3 billion increase in real estate loans and a $10.0 billion increase in consumer loans. Average total loans and leases at the 25 largest domestically chartered commercial banks rose by $16.0 billion month over month, helped by a $6.9 billion increase in consumer loans. Average loans and leases at small commercial banks increased by $25.0 billion, led by a $13.7 billion climb in real estate loans.

Loans and leases at foreign-related institutions fell by $2.0 billion, while total deposits at U.S. commercial banks rose by $32.0 billion.

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