Borrowers nationwide have been digging their way out of delinquency, according to figures released this morning from the American Bankers Association (ABA).

The ABA’s Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin showed improvement in nine out of 11 loan categories for the fourth quarter 2010 compared to the previous quarter.

In particular, bank card delinquencies decreased to their lowest rate in almost a decade, dropping to 3.28 percent at the end of last year, from 3.64 percent in the third quarter. Personal loans, auto loans, marine and RV loans also fell, with personal loans falling the farthest – declining to 3.08 percent from 3.68 percent. All loans that had payments more than 30 days overdue are considered "delinquent" by the ABA.

However the weightiest category, home loans, remained stubborn. Home equity loan delinquencies remained at 4.05 percent, with home improvement loan problems rising to 1.26 percent from 1.23 percent. Home equity lines of credit improved slightly to 1.73 percent, from 1.74 percent.

The ABA’s chief economist, James Chessen, cautioned that global uncertainties could hamper consumers’ ability to pull themselves out of delinquency, with climbing food and gas prices the main culprit.

Still, the news from the fourth quarter was encouraging: "Consumers are clearly showing better control at managing their debt even while increasing their borrowing, especially in auto loans and student loans. At the same time, household wealth is up, hiring is up and unemployment is down. When people have jobs, they can spend more and pay their bills on time."

A roundup of the ABAB’s findings can be found here:

CLOSED-END LOANS

Decreased Delinquencies:

• Personal loan delinquencies fell to 3.08 percent from 3.68 percent.
• Direct auto loan delinquencies fell to 1.44 percent from 1.74 percent.
• Indirect auto loan delinquencies fell to 2.66 percent from 3.02 percent.
• Mobile home loan delinquencies fell to 3.92 percent from 4.01 percent.
• RV loan delinquencies fell to 1.40 percent from 1.53 percent.
• Marine loan delinquencies fell to 1.89 percent from 2.04 percent.

Increased Delinquencies:

• Property improvement loan delinquencies rose to 1.26 percent from 1.23 percent.

Unchanged Delinquencies:

• Home equity loan delinquencies remained steady at 4.05 percent.

In addition, ABA tracks three open-end loan categories:

OPEN-END LOANS

Decreased Delinquencies:

• Bank card delinquencies fell to 3.28 percent from 3.64 percent.
• Home equity lines of credit delinquencies fell to 1.73 percent from 1.74 percent.
• Non-card revolving loan delinquencies fell to 0.87 percent from 1.09 percent.