Banks in American Samoa are said to be becoming more cautious over business loans.
The Chamber of Commerce president, David Robinson, says most of its members in the retail area are complaining about rising fuel prices affecting imported commodities.
He says even the local banks, ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank and the Bank of Hawaii, are having a tough time collecting from commercial loans.
He says the banks are strict now in their loan criteria as they don't want to get involved with high risk vendors.
Mr Robinson says is it's difficult to foresee any economic or business changes in the New Year unless American Samoa finds new investments to stimulate the local economy.
