NEW YORK — The S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices showed slight increases in numerous default rates in August, with the composite rate increasing two basis points from July to 0.85%. But officials said the small monthly movements in consumer credit default are no cause for concern.
According to the two firms, August auto loan defaults increased eight points from July to 1.01%, while the first mortgage default rate increased two basis points to 0.68%. The bank card default rate was the only segment showing a decrease in August, falling six basis points from July to 2.86%.
“Despite small monthly movements in consumer credit defaults, the overall default rates are stable and close to the lowest levels since shortly before the financial crisis,” said David M. Blitzer, managing director and chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Bank car default rates are more volatile and slightly higher than those tracking mortgages or auto loans.”
Blitzer noted that compared to a year a year earlier, auto and bank card defaults rose 11 and 15 basis points, respectively, while mortgage loan defaults are 16 basis points lower. “The overall consumer credit picture gives little reason to be concerned about default rates,” he added.
The five major cities reported mixed results in August, with three cities showing higher default rates. New York’s default rate rose 14 basis point from July to 0.91%, while Dallas’ default rate increased five basis points to 0.74%. Chicago’s default rate increased four basis points to 0.93%, while Los Angeles’ default rate decreased three basis points to 0.60%. Miami also reported a decrease — the city’s first since February — with its default rate falling 16 basis points to 1.21%.
“Related data published by the Federal Reserve show that the growth in consumer and household debt is currently about 4.4% per year, increasing about two percentage points faster than nominal GDP growth,” Blitzer continued. “Consumer credit — bank cards and auto loans — grew before, during and after the recent recession and is currently at an all-time high. Mortgage debt peaked in the first quarter of 2008 and reached its most recent low point in the first quarter of 2015. It is now up 2.1% from the low.
“Barring a repeat of the recent and severe recession, both consumer credit and mortgage debt outstanding are expected to continue growing at, or faster than, the pace of nominal GDP growth.”
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