Consumer delinquencies continued to climb in the second quarter with nine of 11 loan categories showing increases, according to a study released Wednesday by the American bankers Association.
The trade group's Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin, said delinquencies rose 17 basis points to 2.88% for all loan types in the second quarter. That figure was slightly lower than the second quarter of last year, when consumer delinquencies were at 3%.
Reflecting the continued problems in the housing market, delinquency rates on home equity lines of credit rose 11 basis points while troubled home equity loans rose 26 basis points compared with the first quarter.
James Chessen, the ABA's chief economist, said in a press release that the increase in delinquencies reflected continuing high unemployment, rising gas prices and a weak economy.
Bank card delinquencies provided some good news in the report. That category fell 18 basis points to 3.22% of all accounts compared with the previous quarter. The figure was below the 15-year average of 3.94% and less than the 3.62% seen a year ago.
Mobile home loan delinquencies were the only other category to fall during the quarter, dropping to 3.62% from 3.74%.
Chessen predicted that delinquencies would stay near current levels in the third quarter.
"It's hard to envision significant improvements in delinquency rates this year given the sluggish economy and falling consumer sentiment," Chessen said in the press release. "On the positive side, bank card delinquencies have shown encouraging trends as consumers work to reduce their debt obligations and build a better financial base."
