As Americans depend more and more on credit to get by, recent reports indicate some possible issues down the road.
According to a report released on Tuesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, total credit card debt in the most recent quarter hit a record $1 trillion.
In a separate analysis, TransUnion discovered that the average balance increased to $5,947, the highest level in ten years.
Nevertheless, cardholders can find opportunities that will provide them a “tail wind on a path to debt repayment,”
According to recent estimates, there may be issues in the future as Americans rely more and more on credit to make ends meet.
The New York Federal Reserve stated on Tuesday that the total amount of credit card debt has reached $1 trillion for the first time ever.
According to a second quarterly TransUnion study on the state of the credit business, credit card balances are up over 20% from a year ago. According to TransUnion, the average balance per consumer increased to $5,947, the highest level in ten years.
Another Bankrate survey found that, in addition to greater amounts, more cardholders were carrying debt from month to month. 60% of those who still owe money on their credit cards have been in debt for at least a year.
High-rate debt is “their only option” for certain people.
When student loan payments start up again this fall, some borrowers may struggle with rising debt, according to the New York Fed researchers.
John Sedunov, an associate professor of finance at Villanova University’s School of Business, stated, “We also can’t discount the impact of higher interest rates on the costs of borrowing for households.” “Money is more expensive as well as goods and services.”
The average credit card rate has reached an all-time high of more than 20% following another rate increase by the Federal Reserve last month.
According to Bankrate’s calculations, it would take more than 17 years to pay off this typical credit card bill if you made the minimum payments and would cost you more than $8,366 in interest.
Because they have other options, people aren’t financing goods at 20%, according to Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. They have no other choice, therefore they’re acting in that way.
When you take into account the fact that in June, personal savings rates were hovering around 4.3%, far lower than the decades-long average of about 8.9%, “I think it is painting a picture of an economy where inflation has taken its toll on households,” said Sedunov.
In total, 19 million more new credit accounts were created in the most recent quarter, helped in part by Gen Z, or those ages 18 to 25, who now have access to credit cards. TransUnion also discovered that the overall number of credit cards reached a record 530.6 million.
According to Michele Raneri, vice president of U.S. research and consulting at TransUnion, many Gen Z borrowers are dealing with the same financial difficulties that high interest rates and inflation have on the general population. As a result, individuals are using these credit solutions that are currently available to assist them in managing their increasing expenses.
According to the report, delinquencies increased as the number of credit card accounts in the United States increased. Delinquency, according to TransUnion, is defined as a payment that is 90 days or more past due.
“The rise in delinquencies over the past several years is something to monitor,” Raneri continued. According to her, lenders have already begun to limit access for those with less credit history.
How to manage credit card debt with a high interest rate
It’s still a great time to get a balance transfer credit card with 0% interest, according to McBride. He continued, “If you have credit card debt, that is the first step — to transfer that balance and give yourself a tailwind on a path to debt repayment.” Cards giving 12, 15, or even 21 months with no interest on transfer balances are available, he said.
Additionally, borrowers might be able to refinance into a personal loan with a lower APR. Even though those rates have lately increased, at 10% on average, they remain significantly lower than the ones on your present credit card.
Otherwise, request a lower annual percentage rate from your card’s issuer. According to a LendingTree report, 76% of consumers who requested a lower interest rate on their credit card in the previous year actually received one.
According to Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree, “the fact that card providers are still willing to give breaks like that, even after a year of frequent rate hikes, is very, very good news for cardholders.”