Building AI data centers is becoming a stress test for banks

Major banks are trying to offload risk from multibillion-dollar AI data center loans, including Oracle-linked financing, because the deals are too large for their balance sheets.

The move highlights growing stress in bank lending as AI infrastructure borrowing tests risk limits and could push losses into broader credit markets.

In Maine, lawmakers tried to curb large data centers, but Governor Janet Mills vetoed the moratorium and replaced it with an advisory process.

The state dispute shows how local policy could slow or reshape future data center expansion, even as demand for AI infrastructure keeps rising.