Americans now have more than $1T in credit card debt

Total consumer debt among all Americans grew $15.2 billion in February, which was a slower rate than growth in January, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve.

Total revolving credit, which includes credit card debt, grew about $3 billion in February, slightly more than growth in January. Non-revolving credit, which includes student and auto loans, grew $12.2 billion in February, after growing more than $15 billion in January.

“Consumer credit grew at a slower-than-expected pace in February, but remained steady,” Dhruv Singh, research assistant for the National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions, said in a statement. “On a year-over-year basis, non-mortgage debt balances are up 5 percent. Household balance sheets are in good shape overall. But the delayed effects of rising interest rates, along with some moderation in consumer sentiment mean that demand is likely to be tempered in 2019.”

Banks saw their share of total consumer debt decline by about $17 billion in February, settling at about $1.65 trillion. Credit unions share of total consumer debt held steady at about $471 billion. Between the end of 2017 and the end of  2018, banks had increased consumer debt by about $71 billion, while credit unions had grown it about $51 billion.

Consumer Debt Growth Slowed in February

by Bram Berkowitz time to read: 1 min
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