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Late Credit Card Payments Dip in Third Quarter

According to an article from the Associated Press, fewer Americans were late on their credit card payments in the third quarter of this year than in the second quarter, signaling that consumers may be getting more responsible at managing their debt.

While the decrease isn’t staggering (1.10% of payments compared to 1.17%), the statistic itself is: this is apparently the first time in a decade that late payments have decreased between the second and third quarters.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s a look at how this decrease fits into the larger context of credit card payments and debt in the United States:

• Steady decline: The 6% drop comes after an 11% decline in late payments between the first and second quarters, suggesting that, as a nation, our debt management skills are improving.
• Trend follower: The highest late payment levels occurred in states where the housing bust was biggest (California: 1.33%; Arizona: 1.35%; Florida: 1.47%; and Nevada: 1.98%).
• Outstanding balance: Average amounts due have also declined from earlier quarters and last year: in Q3, the average was $5,612, down from $5,719 in Q2.
• Savings down: The third quarter also saw a slightly lower rate of savings among U.S. consumers, suggesting we’re putting money toward debt rather than in the bank.

So What Does It Mean?

While no definitive explanation can be offered for the drop in late payments, the trend may be affected by a variety of factors, including:

• Unemployment: Both those who have lost their jobs and those who are still working (but are perhaps more aware of the threat of layoffs) tend to cut back on discretionary spending and focus on paying down debt rather than accumulating new “stuff.”
• Tightened credit: Many credit card issuers have pulled way back on their offerings of consumer credit and have gotten stricter about raising interest rates for late and missed payments. This may “scare” consumers into taking their debt more seriously, or into paying down balances to have more wiggle room.
• The holidays: For many of us, a major shopping and/or traveling season is upon us. The dip in late payments could represent a sort of collective preparation for the financial stresses of the season.
• Increased caution: The drop could also point to a more cautious American consumer – one who’s a bit less cavalier about taking on masses of revolving debt.

Additional Resources

Putting Credit Card Debt on Notice (PDF)

How Credit Card Debt Ensnares Consumers (PDF)