The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that throughout the summer, stocks thrived on a strong economy and better-than-expected corporate earnings. A New York Times dispatch to The Globe reports that with the arrival of fall, however, investors are fretting about a renewed trade spat with China and reports of increasing bad debts at banks. The S&P 500 index was flat in early trading Friday after a loss the day before due to concerns over smaller banks. Zions Bancorp announced a $50-million (U.S.) charge-off on loans to two real estate investors for buying distressed commercial mortgages. As well, Western Alliance Bank posted potential fraud involving commercial real estate loans and has sued the lenders. The disclosures come on the heels of the downfall of subprime auto lender Tricolor and auto parts supplier First Brands Group, with banks including JPMorgan, Fifth Third Bancorp and Jefferies disclosing losses from loans to the companies. JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon says: "My antenna goes up when things like that happen. And I probably shouldn't say this, but when you see one cockroach, there are probably more." Those bankruptcies also flared concerns that the strength of the consumer might be waning.