For the first time in roughly ten years, credit scores in the United States have gone down. The culprit? Late account payments.
Struggling Americans Desperate
Inflation, stagnant wages, and income uncertainty have driven many Americans to the point of desperation. Leaning on credit cards to keep their households afloat, some people are finding it difficult to keep up with their payments due to a vicious cycle of high interest rates and growing expenses.
Credit Scores Have Trended Up for a Decade
Over the past decade, credit scores have trended upward as families recovered from a recession and enjoyed a stable economy.
More People Struggle with Bills
Now that money troubles are plaguing more people, even those who were previously comfortable, credit card payments are dipping lower on the priority list.
Having to focus first on paying historically high housing payments and food costs, many are struggling to pay their credit card bills on time.
Americans Have $1 Trillion in Credit Card Debt
A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed a staggering increase in credit card debt in the country, revealing a new total of over $1 trillion.
Average Credit Score Dropped 1 Point
FICO said that in addition to the record-breaking credit card debts, the average American’s credit score dropped by a point last year. This average has not decreased in a decade.
Economic Issues “Starting to Weigh on Consumers”
“The effects of high-interest rates and persistent inflation may be starting to weigh on consumers, especially those already struggling to manage their finances,” said FICO’s Can Arkali in their report.
Late Payments to Blame for Drop
Experts agree that financial duress resulting in the inability to make on-time payments is the driving factor behind the decreased average credit score.
And since the COVID-era financial relief many families were relying on has ended, people are finding it challenging to keep up.
Credit Cards Used for Necessities, Not Luxuries
For struggling Americans, credit cards are more likely to be used to pay an overdue electricity bill or purchase groceries than to engage in an online shopping spree.
Many times, credit card debt is accumulated out of necessity and not irresponsibility.
A “Financial Strain”
“The apparent cumulative impact of higher interest rates, elevated consumer prices, and economic uncertainty has put a financial strain, especially on those consumers who heavily rely on credit cards to cover everyday expenses,” Arkali continued.
COVID Did Not Decrease Credit Scores
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, credit scores kept increasing despite the fact that millions of people struggled financially.
Relief from the government and payment pauses from lenders provided a buffer to many Americans.
Lenders Offered Assistance During Pandemic
Some banks, credit unions, and other lenders offered forbearance programs during the pandemic to help struggling borrowers stay current.
Student loan payments backed by the government were paused, and stimulus checks went out to most taxpayers.
The Cycle of Missed Payments
People who miss their payments begin to experience a cyclical issue. Their debt increases as more interest and late fees are applied, and their credit score drops as a result.
Interest Rates May Increase as Scores Drop
As credit scores drop, credit card companies take notice and may increase the already astronomical interest rates on account. This contributes to the underlying issue and makes it even harder for borrowers to pay off their debt.
Advice for New Borrowers
For those who are new to credit, experts recommend making every effort to make payments on time and keeping credit utilization low to protect and boost their credit scores.
Consult Your Credit Card Company
If you can’t make your payments, it’s a good idea to contact the credit card company directly. Many have hardship programs in place that can reduce or even pause payments for customers who qualify for help.
Hardship Programs for Eligible Borrowers
Those programs protect your credit score and are preferable to missing payments. For every 30 days your payments are late, your credit is likely to take hits.
Consolidation Loans
Others struggling with low credit scores and high credit card balances may want to look into consolidation loans, which can help reduce the overall monthly payment and interest rate.
Unemployment Rate Increased in February
Reports show that in February, the unemployment rate jumped to 3.9%, which was higher than experts predicted.
This is a concerning figure, especially amidst reports that most unemployed people are actively looking for gainful employment.
New Jobs Exceeded Expectations
In better news, the number of new jobs added in February was also underestimated – a total of 275,000 jobs were added instead of the expected 198,000.
The post Debt Disaster: Americans Face Credit Score Catastrophe first appeared on Career Step Up.
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The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
