{
  "id": 1820484,
  "title": "Conflicts in Middle East drive rise in loan defaults",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/conflicts-in-middle-east-drive-rise-in-loan-defaults",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-18T22:26:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Bangkok Post",
    "slug": "bangkok-post",
    "url": "https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3303944/conflicts-in-middle-east-drive-rise-in-loan-defaults"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The migration of special mention loans to non-performing loans increased in the second quarter, influenced by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. As of April 4 and April 3, non-performing loans constituted 4% and 3% of total loans, respectively. On April 7, non-performing loans reached 7% of total loans. Throughout the period, non-performing loans totaled $58.2 million, which is 28.2% higher than the previous quarter.",
  "summary": "The migration of special mention (SM) loans to non-performing loans (NPLs) rose in the second quarter of this year, driven by persistent conflicts in the Middle East.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bangkok Post Business",
        "title": "Conflicts in Middle East drive rise in loan defaults",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/conflicts-in-middle-east-drive-rise-in-loan-defaults-1823555",
        "published": "2026-08-18T22:26:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}