US Credit Card Delinquencies Reach 15-Year High Amid Elevated Interest Rates

Credit card delinquencies in the US have reached a 15-year high of 13.12% in Q1 2026, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

This marks an increase of 0.82 percentage points from the same period last year and approaches levels not seen since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

Americans collectively owe $1.25 trillion on credit cards, just below the historic peak, with the average household carrying a staggering $11,169 in debt, according to WalletHub data.

Experts argue that the situation is more targeted than during the Great Recession, affecting consumers already struggling with elevated interest rates and inflation.