CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree®,
the nation's leading online loan marketplace, today released its
Consumer Debt Outlook for July 2018,
finding that new car loan rates now average more than 5 percent
APR, the highest financing rate since 2012. LendingTree's analysis
of the latest Federal Reserve data also found that revolving debt,
almost all of which is credit card debt, increased by more than
$16 billion in May, the largest-ever
increase in revolving credit for that calendar month and the
largest percentage increase since 1995.
Analysis Highlights
- Revolving debt, almost all of which is credit card debt,
increased by more than $16 billion in
May. That's the largest-ever increase in revolving credit for
that calendar month and the largest percentage increase since 1995.
The average credit card APR is currently 15.54 percent, a full
percentage point higher than a year ago.
- Federal deficits continue to increase and are expected
to increase to more than 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)
within the next five years. The persistent annual federal deficits
will likely elevate borrowing rates for consumers on big ticket
items like homes.
- The average new car loan rate is above 5.00 percent for the
first time since 2012. The amount owed on existing motor
vehicles has increased by 48 percent since that time.
- Consumers, at least in the short term, are better positioned
to service these larger debts. Credit delinquencies remain low,
and incomes are (mostly) keeping pace with the added debt.
Credit card balances new record increase $16 billion
The $16.25 billion increase in
revolving credit — now totaling a shade under $1 trillion, at $999.2
billion — is the biggest one-month increase in May. On a
percentage basis, the 1.65 percent monthly increase is the biggest
May jump since 1995, when revolving credit jumped a whopping 2.27
percent in a single month.
Meanwhile, non-revolving debt, which includes auto loans and
student debt, also increased. Together, LendingTree analysts expect
the $3.86 trillion in revolving and
non-revolving debt to exceed $4
trillion by the end of 2018.
Auto loans back above 5 percent
The average rate to finance a new car is now above 5 percent for
the first time since February 2012,
according to Federal Reserve data, based on a 48-month loan.
The amount people are financing has also increased over that
time. In 2012, the average amount financed was $25,430. Today, the average amount financed is
$30,472 — a 20 percent
increase. At the current average rate of 5.04 percent for 48
months, financing $30,472 of a new
car means monthly payments of $702,
according to LendingTree's auto loan calculator. Over the life of
that loan, the new car owner will pay more than $3,200 in interest.
Finally, the amount owed on all motor vehicles — both new and
used — has increased by nearly 50 percent since 2012. Collectively,
more than $1.1 trillion is owed on
some sort of automobile financing.
Consumer income is keeping up (for now)
Despite the heavier lifts, Americans are, at least in the short
run, keeping up. Delinquency rates on home loans are at 10-year
lows, according to Federal Reserve data, and credit card charge-off
and delinquency rates remain modest.
To view the full report, visit:
https://www.lendingtree.com/finance/consumer-debt-outlook-july-2018/.
About LendingTree
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the nation's leading online
marketplace that connects consumers with the choices they need to
be confident in their financial decisions. LendingTree empowers
consumers to shop for financial services the same way they would
shop for airline tickets or hotel stays, comparing multiple offers
from a nationwide network of over 500 partners in one simple
search, and can choose the option that best fits their financial
needs. Services include mortgage loans, mortgage refinances, auto
loans, personal loans, business loans, student refinances, credit
cards and more. Through the My LendingTree platform,
consumers receive free credit scores, credit monitoring and
recommendations to improve credit health. My LendingTree
proactively compares consumers' credit accounts against offers on
our network, and notifies consumers when there is an opportunity to
save money. In short, LendingTree's purpose is to help simplify
financial decisions for life's meaningful moments through choice,
education and support. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of
LendingTree, Inc. For more information, go
to www.lendingtree.com, dial 800-555-TREE, like our Facebook
page and/or follow us on Twitter @LendingTree.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Greuling
704-943-8208
megan.greuling@lendingtree.com
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SOURCE LendingTree