Dear Prof. C:

You wrote:

 You write, “In standard English lend is a verb, and loan is a noun.” But “loan” is the standard verb in a banking context, used by the most literate of bankers and banking lawyers—people who write well and care about good usage. I’m not sure why “loan” is preferred. Perhaps “lend” has overtones of a brief, informal loan (much as I might lend you a pencil) rather than a formal, structured transaction that could last for years.

I understand the common usage of “loan.” The style preference from a number of sources likely has to do with the original meaning, where “loan” was the noun form of  the verb “lend” (or vice-versa). Even bankers, though, call themselves “lenders.” A “loaner” is what you get from the repair shop if they are working on your car for more than a few hours.

This is more a question of style. Your observation is worth a follow-up. Thank you.