Le Caillec is taking on the new role at a difficult time for lenders as economic forecasts darken steadily amid rising interest rates and high inflation, forcing them to set aside a large sum to cover potential defaults. Sharply higher prices for everyday goods have also begun to squeeze consumers, clouding the outlook for payments companies amid a shift away from big-ticket spending. In April, AmEx missed Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit after setting aside bigger provisions and spending more on promotions to keep customers engaged.