RPT-TRLPC: US regulators expected to classify more energy loans as high risk

NEW YORK, Feb 3 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators are likely to classify more oil and gas loans as high risk when they start a new bank portfolio review in early February due to the fall in crude prices to a 12-year low since the last review, which will cut credit access and escalate defaults for cash-starved energy companies, analysts and investors said.