Troubling Trend: 56 Million Americans Struggle with Year-long Credit Card Debt, Warns Expert
- Category: News
In a concerning financial trend, the total credit card balances in the United States have surged to a record-breaking $1.08 trillion, as reported by the latest quarterly update from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Over the past two years, Americans’ credit card balances have witnessed an alarming 40% increase, according to insights provided by Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate. While overall credit management seems stable, there are growing concerns at the household level, with more cardholders carrying debt from month to month and fewer managing to pay off their balances entirely.
Surging Credit Card Holders:
Bankrate.com’s separate report reveals a rise in the percentage of credit card holders carrying debt from month to month, reaching 49%, compared to 46% the previous year. Shockingly, 56 million cardholders find themselves in debt for at least a year, indicating a troubling financial scenario.
One contributing factor to this economic challenge is the prevailing tough environment, as Rossman notes. Potential causes include shifts in lending, overextension, and deeper economic distress linked to higher borrowing costs and price pressures, as highlighted by Federal Reserve researchers in a blog post.
The soaring credit card interest rates, exceeding 20% on average, pose a significant hurdle for consumers. The current rate is an all-time high, propelled by the steepest annual increase in line with the Federal Reserve’s efforts to combat inflation. Despite indications of potential rate cuts from Fed officials, relief in credit card APRs remains uncertain.
Strategic Approaches Needed:
Rossman emphasizes the brutal math associated with minimum payments on the average credit card balance, projecting over 17 years to pay off the debt with a cost exceeding $9,072 in interest. He advises acknowledging the debt and interest rate, advocating for a strategic approach such as utilizing 0% balance transfer cards offering up to 21 months without interest on transferred balances.
How America Racked Up A $1 Trillion Credit Card Bill
While consumer confidence has been sustained by steady hiring, wage growth, and savings, the surge in credit card debt raises concerns about potential cutbacks in discretionary spending due to higher borrowing costs.
Data from the New York Fed indicates a substantial annual increase in revolving debt outstanding, surpassing $150 billion higher in the third quarter compared to the previous year. Signs of stress are evident, with an uptick in delinquencies in credit card debt, particularly affecting millennials and individuals with additional financial burdens such as auto loans and student debt, according to New York Fed data from the third quarter.
