Slump in S&P sales momentum suggests boost from tax cuts is fading fast; Weaker U.S. loan demand as delinquencies rise; sharp drop in leveraged loan, cov-lite issuance; Bank profitability remains under pressure, notably in Europe, Japan; U.S. banks reliant on trading, fee income; Banks’ exposure to domestic sovereign risk still an issue in several advanced economies; insurers also exposed; Venezuela: opposition team signals tough line on creditors