Credit Card Debt Up Dramatically in Q4 2016 – NMP
Industry News

Credit Card Debt Up Dramatically in Q4 2016

Mar 08, 2017
U.S. consumers generated $60.4 billion in credit card debt during the fourth quarter of 2016

U.S. consumers generated $60.4 billion in credit card debt during the fourth quarter of 2016, according to new data released by WalletHub. This represents the largest fourth-quarter debt increase since 2007 and the third-largest in the last 30 years—as well as an $89.2 billion net increase in credit card debt for 2016 as a whole, which is the most for a year since 2007.
 
The average credit card debt per household for 2016 was $8,377, up six percent from one year earlier. WalletHub is projecting that consumer credit card debt will surpass the current record for outstanding balances by at least $100 billion by the end of this year.
 
“We now owe almost exactly as much as we did right before the Great Recession officially began,” said Alina Comoreanu, research analyst at WalletHub. “If charge-off rates begin to rise, things could get ugly fast. The fact that charge-off rates remain near historical lows continues to fuel lenders’ appetites for extending credit, but there will be a tipping point eventually.” 
About the author
Phil Hall
Link copied
Published
Mar 08, 2017
Get the NMP Daily
Analysis and Data
Jobs Report Comes In Weak After Mortgage Rates Surge

Employers added just 29,000 jobs in September, sending Treasury yields lower and offering a potential counterweight to the recent rise in mortgage rates

The September jobs report gave the mortgage market something it hasn't had much of lately: downward pressure on Treasury yields.U.S. employers added just 29,000 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The ...

Continue reading
Wholesale
The Loan Store Rebrands As Averra Financial

The wholesale lender is adopting a new identity three years after acquiring Homepoint’s wholesale business and rising to No. 4 in industry rankings

The Loan Store has a new name after a three-year expansion that transformed the once-small wholesale lender into one of the largest players in the broker channel.The Tucson, Arizona-based lender has rebranded as Averra Financial Inc., effective immediately, the company annou...

Continue reading
Renew your NMLS License — for free.

Enjoy access to a free NMLS renewal class when you attend an in-person event.

Find an event
More from
Industry News
Garg Claims Majority In Better Fight, Board Poised To Honor Vote

Founder says he secured more than 51% of voting power to remove five directors, pending confirmation by a third-party inspector

C-Suite Strategies
Oct 01, 2026
Rocket Makes VantageScore Its Default After Testing Finds Borrower Savings

After four months of testing, Rocket will make VantageScore 4.0 its preferred model for eligible retail loans while keeping both scoring options available to brokers

Industry News
Sep 29, 2026
CHLA: More Freddie Mac MBS Buying Could Narrow Mortgage Spreads

Trade group estimates greater Freddie participation could compress spreads another 10 to 12 basis points as Fannie has taken the lead in GSE mortgage-bond buying

Industry News
Sep 23, 2026
Early Loan-Limit Race Splits Into Three Tiers

Lenders are now offering $845,000, $847,440, or $850,000 before FHFA sets the official 2027 limits

Industry News
Sep 23, 2026
Better, Garg Clash Over Claimed 46% Shareholder Support

Better disputes its former CEO’s preliminary consent count as the two sides trade accusations and an Oct. 2 target date approaches

C-Suite Strategies
Sep 23, 2026