In a groundbreaking revelation, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit reveals that U.S. household debt has skyrocketed to an unprecedented $18.04 trillion by the end of Q4 2024. This alarming rise marks a 21-year high, a $93 billion increase from the previous quarter, accentuating a staggering $3.9 trillion swell since late 2019.
**Mortgage and Loan Dynamics**
Mortgages predominately fuel this debt surge, comprising $13 trillion of the total. Auto loans follow with $1.66 trillion, then student loans at $1.61 trillion, credit cards tallying $1.21 trillion, and other debts closing in at $550 billion. These figures underscore the multifaceted sources of debt burdening American households.
**Delinquency Concerns Heighten**
With debt climbing, the ability of Americans to manage repayments is further strained as delinquency rates edge upward. By Q4 2024, 11.4% of credit card debt had gone unpaid for over 90 days, a jump from 9.4% in the same period a year prior. Other loan types are not far behind, revealing 9.2% are delinquent for 90 days or more.
Auto loans witness a delinquency rate of 4.8%, while mortgages, student loans, and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) hover at lower rates of 0.7%, 0.5%, and 0.5%, respectively. The New York Fed’s report highlights that the overall delinquency rates have slightly climbed to 3.6% from 3.5% in the prior quarter, with significant transitions into serious delinquency observed for auto loans, credit cards, and HELOC balances.
**Bankruptcy Filings Reflect Economic Strain**
As delinquency rates spike, bankruptcy filings are also on the rise. Approximately 123,000 Americans had their credit reports marked with bankruptcy notations in the final quarter of 2024. This uptick in financial distress suggests a growing inability among Americans to navigate escalating debt obligations.
The overarching trajectory of these financial indicators not only sheds light on current economic pressures but also poses pivotal challenges for policymakers seeking solutions to mitigate this mounting debt crisis. As household debt continues its ascent, the implications for both the U.S. economy and individual financial security are profound, calling for urgent fiscal attention and reform.
