BMO Trucking Credit: The END of Transparent Data? | FreightWaves

A major source of financial intelligence for the trucking sector is set to vanish as BMO prepares to finalize the sale of its transportation lending arm to Stonepeak by the fourth quarter. According to FreightWaves, this transaction likely signals the end of long-standing quarterly disclosures regarding loan performance and credit quality. The departing lender has historically provided detailed views into industry health through metrics like write-offs and impaired loans. Recent figures indicate that credit conditions in the trucking industry are finally beginning to stabilize after a prolonged period of distress. Data shows that gross impaired loans dropped from over $500 million to approximately $440 million in the most recent quarter, while allowances for losses also saw a notable decline. Despite this recovery, the timing of the exit suggests BMO may be offloading the portfolio near a cyclical low point. The broader energy market is currently facing upward pressure, with diesel prices reaching their highest levels since the start of Middle East hostilities. As retail diesel costs climb, refinery maintenance schedules and international supply disruptions are tightening the global distillate market. FreightWaves reporter John Kingston observed that the timing of the portfolio sale is noteworthy, stating that "it seems to me that they sold at the bottom." With BMO exiting the space, a significant data void remains for analysts tracking maritime and inland logistics credit cycles. While other institutions like Mitsubishi Credit have been suggested as potential replacements for these reports, there is no confirmation that future owners will maintain the same level of public visibility. The shift comes as drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure continue to influence diesel pricing dynamics in the United States.