Bank card delinquencies lowest since 1994
Consumer delinquency rates saw significant drops in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2012, led by a drop in credit card delinquencies to the lowest level seen in nearly two decades, the American Bankers Association (ABA) said in a recent report.
According to the ABA’s Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin, credit card delinquencies fell to 2.47 percent, which is the lowest rate seen in 18 years – since the third quarter (Q3) of 1994.
The 15-year average for credit card delinquencies is a much higher rate of 3.87 percent.
“Consumers continue to carefully manage their finances in an effort to get debt levels under control and build up a secure financial base,” James Chessen, ABA’s chief economist, said in a statement. “While this conservative approach to credit may slow economic growth in the short-term, it portends stronger, more consistent growth in the future.”
The ABA’s composite delinquency ration, which tracks eight different loan categories, dropped from 2.16 percent to 1.99 percent. The 1.99 percent Q4 2012 mark sits 40 basis points below the 15-year average of 2.39 percent.
“The sharp decline in delinquencies reinforces the notion that the economic recovery has become more self-sustaining and is on a path to increased growth,” Chessen said.
Improvement seen in home loans
All three categories related to home loans experienced lowered delinquency rates in Q4. The last time all three home loan categories registered improvement in the same quarter was Q4 2011, the ABA noted.
Delinquencies with home equity lines of credit dropped to 1.85 percent from 1.93 percent quarter-over-quarter, while home equity loan delinquencies dropped to 4.03 percent from 4.20 percent in the same time frame. Additionally, the property improvement loan delinquency rate fell from 0.89 percent to 0.83 percent.
“While home-related delinquencies remain at elevated levels, even one quarter of declines could signal the start of a slow, but steady improvement,” Chessen said. “Falling delinquencies are another indicator of the housing market’s nascent recovery.”