Credit card debt in the United States has been growing at a fast pace between 2021 and 2025. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the overall amount of credit card debt reached its highest value throughout the timeline considered here. COVID-19 had a big impact on the indebtedness of Americans, as credit card debt decreased from *** billion U.S. dollars in the last quarter of 2019 to *** billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2021. What portion of Americans use credit cards? A substantial portion of Americans had at least one credit card in 2025. That year, the penetration rate of credit cards in the United States was ** percent. This number increased by nearly seven percentage points since 2014. The primary factors behind the high utilization of credit cards in the United States are a prevalent culture of convenience, a wide range of reward schemes, and consumer preferences for postponed payments. Which companies dominate the credit card issuing market? In 2024, the leading credit card issuers in the U.S. by volume were JPMorgan Chase & Co. and American Express. Both firms recorded transactions worth over one trillion U.S. dollars that year. Citi and Capital One were the next banks in that ranking, with the transactions made with their credit cards amounting to over half a trillion U.S. dollars that year. Those industry giants, along with other prominent brand names in the industry such as Bank of America, Synchrony Financial, Wells Fargo, and others, dominate the credit card market. Due to their extensive customer base, appealing rewards, and competitive offerings, they have gained a significant market share, making them the preferred choice for consumers.

Graph and download economic data for Large Bank Consumer Credit Card Balances: Total Balances (RCCCBBALTOT) from Q3 2012 to Q4 2024 about FR Y-14M, consumer credit, credit cards, large, balance, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) from 2000-06-28 to 2025-06-18 about revolving, credit cards, loans, consumer, banks, depository institutions, and USA.

Debt Balance Credit Cards in the United States decreased to 1.18 Trillion USD in the first quarter of 2025 from 1.21 Trillion USD in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Debt Balance Credit Cards.

Consumer Credit in the United States increased to 17.87 USD Billion in April from 8.60 USD Billion in March of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Consumer Credit Change - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Credit card charge-off rates reached their highest level in over 14 years by Q2 2024, as borrowers struggled to keep up with debts. This is according to figures gathered by the Federal Reserve from U.S. chartered commercial banks. Credit card became an increasingly more common way to pay after the coronavirus pandemic, as is shown in the distribution of different types of loans in the United States. U.S. consumers had built up their cash reserves, making them eligible to get a credit card. The high charge-off rates were joined by the highest U.S. credit card delinquency rates since the Financial Crisis of 2008.

As of the last quarter of 2022, Alaska and Hawaii were the states in the U.S. with the highest credit card debt. While the average credit card debt in Alaska amounted to 4,430 U.S. dollars, people from Mississippi only had on average 2,450 U.S. dollars of credit card debt.

The generation X was the group of people with the highest average credit card balance in the United States in 2023. That year, the average credit card debt of the generation Z amounted to approximately 3,260 U.S. dollars. People in the silent generation had a credit card balance of roughly 3,410 U.S. dollars.

Introduction

Credit Card Statistics: A credit card is a widely used financial tool that allows consumers to make purchases or withdraw cash on credit, accruing debt to be repaid later. As of Q4 2024, Americans held approximately USD 1.21 trillion in credit card debt, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. The average credit card balance per consumer reached USD 6,730, up by 3.5% from 2023.

In the same period, the number of credit card accounts in the U.S. rose to about 617 million. Globally, Visa and Mastercard have approximately 1.3 billion and 1.1 billion credit cards in circulation, respectively. Credit cards accounted for 32% of all payment transactions in 2023, reflecting their significant role in consumer spending. However, 22% of credit card users make only minimum payments, indicating potential financial strain. Additionally, credit card delinquency rates rose to 3.6% in Q4 2024, highlighting challenges in debt repayment. These statistics underscore the importance of responsible credit card usage and financial management.

Credit cards also allow customers to build a debt balance that is related to the interest being charged. Let’s shed more light on “Credit Card Statistics†through this article.

Consumer Debt and Default Survey: Type of Debt (Percentage of Total Households): Up to 10 Minimum Wage: Credit Card data was reported at 79.854 % in Sep 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 78.653 % for Aug 2020. Consumer Debt and Default Survey: Type of Debt (Percentage of Total Households): Up to 10 Minimum Wage: Credit Card data is updated monthly, averaging 77.270 % from Jan 2010 (Median) to Sep 2020, with 129 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 80.139 % in Jan 2020 and a record low of 67.913 % in Jan 2010. Consumer Debt and Default Survey: Type of Debt (Percentage of Total Households): Up to 10 Minimum Wage: Credit Card data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Domestic Trade and Household Survey – Table BR.HG003: Consumer Debt and Default Survey: by Type of Debt.

The G.19 Statistical Release, Consumer Credit, reports outstanding credit extended to individuals for household, family, and other personal expenditures, excluding loans secured by real estate. Total consumer credit comprises two major types: revolving and nonrevolving. Revolving credit plans may be unsecured or secured by collateral and allow a consumer to borrow up to a prearranged limit and repay the debt in one or more installments. Credit card loans comprise most of revolving consumer credit measured in the G.19, but other types, such as prearranged overdraft plans, are also included. Nonrevolving credit is closed-end credit extended to consumers that is repaid on a prearranged repayment schedule and may be secured or unsecured. To borrow additional funds, the consumer must enter into an additional contract with the lender. Consumer motor vehicle and education loans comprise the majority of nonrevolving credit, but other loan types, such as boat loans, recreational vehicle loans, and personal loans, are also included. This statistical release is designated by OMB as a Principal Federal Economic Indicator (PFEI).

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks (DRCCLACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q1 2025 about credit cards, delinquencies, commercial, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Consumer Debt and Default Survey: Type of Debt (Percentage of Total Households): Up to 10 Minimum Wage: Credit Card在2020-09达79.854 %，相较于2020-08的78.653 %有所增长。Consumer Debt and Default Survey: Type of Debt (Percentage of Total Households): Up to 10 Minimum Wage: Credit Card数据按月度更新，2010-01至2020-09期间平均值为77.270 %，共129份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于2020-01，达80.139 %，而历史最低值则出现于2010-01，为67.913 %。CEIC提供的Consumer Debt and Default Survey: Type of Debt (Percentage of Total Households): Up to 10 Minimum Wage: Credit Card数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism，数据归类于Brazil Premium Database的Domestic Trade and Household Survey – Table BR.HG003: Consumer Debt and Default Survey: by Type of Debt。

Delinquency rates for credit cards picked up in 2025 in the United States, leading to the highest rates observed since 2008. This is according to a collection of one of the United States' federal banks across all commercial banks. The high delinquency rates were joined by the highest U.S. credit card charge-off rates since the Financial Crisis of 2008. Delinquency rates, or the share of credit card loans overdue a payment for more than 60 days, can sometimes lead into charge-off, or a writing off the loan, after about six to 12 months. These figures on the share of credit card balances that are overdue developed significantly between 2021 and 2025: Delinquencies were at their lowest point in 2021 but increased to one of their highest points by 2025. This is reflected in the growing credit card debt in the United States, which reached an all-time high in 2023.

While interest rates in the United States declined three times by late 2024, average credit card interest rates did not immediately follow suit. This reveals itself when comparing the Federal Reserve interest rate against the APR, or annual percentage rates, of credit cards issued by commercial banks. The APR reached a record high in the country in 2024, likely adding to the growing credit card debt in the United States. This was below the APR of credit cards in a country like Brazil, however. It is expected that the credit card interest rates will continue to need time to catch up with the Fed interest rate.

Graph and download economic data for Charge-Off Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks (CORCCACBS) from Q1 1985 to Q1 2025 about charge-offs, credit cards, commercial, loans, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

The table shows the level of bank credit to households (both mortgage credit and consumer credit) around the world including the most recent value and recent changes. The numbers are in billion local currency units and are updated continuously as the national authorities release the new data. Household credit carries benefits and risks to the economy. On the positive side, it allows households to purchase real estate, cars, and other items by spreading the cost over time. This makes household consumption more even over time and not so dependent on fluctuations in incomes. On the negative side, many financial crises are associated with a massive build up in household credit. Easy money pushes up property values and raises the debt levels. Then, an increase in interest rates or a drop in incomes can put significant strain on the household budgets. Households cut their spending in order to deleverage (reduce their debt) and the economy enters a recession. Household credit is now a major component of bank credit in the advanced economies and is rapidly catching up with the levels of business credit in the developing world.

Graph and download economic data for Commercial Bank Interest Rate on Credit Card Plans, Accounts Assessed Interest (TERMCBCCINTNS) from Nov 1994 to Feb 2025 about consumer credit, credit cards, loans, consumer, interest rate, banks, interest, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Household Debt Service Payments as a Percent of Disposable Personal Income (TDSP) from Q1 1980 to Q1 2025 about disposable, payments, debt, personal income, percent, personal, households, services, income, and USA.

Consumer and Corporate Debt Consolidation Market Outlook

The consumer and corporate debt consolidation market size is projected to grow from USD 2.1 trillion in 2023 to approximately USD 2.7 trillion by 2032, driven by an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. This growth is underpinned by factors such as increasing consumer debt levels, and a heightened awareness of financial management strategies. The growing trend among both individuals and businesses to consolidate multiple debts into a single loan has spurred significant interest and investment in this market. This is further accentuated by the increasing number of financial institutions offering tailored debt consolidation services, thus enhancing market dynamics.

One major growth factor in the consumer and corporate debt consolidation market is the rising levels of consumer debt worldwide. This encompasses credit card debts, personal loans, and other forms of consumer credit that have been steadily increasing, fueled by consumer spending and economic cycles. As individuals accumulate various debts, there's a growing need for effective financial management solutions to streamline payments and reduce interest burdens. Debt consolidation serves as an attractive option by amalgamating multiple debt obligations into a singular loan with more favorable terms. This is particularly appealing in developed regions where credit card usage is widespread, and individuals seek to manage their debt more efficiently.

The concept of Consumer Credit plays a pivotal role in the debt consolidation market. It refers to the credit extended to individuals for personal, family, or household purposes, and is a significant component of consumer debt. As consumer credit levels rise, individuals often find themselves juggling multiple credit obligations, including credit card balances, personal loans, and retail financing. This complexity can lead to financial strain, making debt consolidation an attractive option. By consolidating consumer credit into a single loan with potentially lower interest rates, individuals can simplify their financial landscape and focus on managing a single monthly payment. This not only aids in reducing the overall interest burden but also helps in improving credit scores over time, as individuals are better able to meet their financial commitments.

Corporate debt consolidation is also a substantial driver of market growth, particularly as businesses attempt to optimize their balance sheets and manage cash flows more effectively. The post-pandemic era has seen a number of businesses grappling with multiple lines of credit and loans, leading to increased interest in consolidation solutions. These strategies allow businesses to convert high-interest debt into lower-cost financing, thereby freeing up capital for operational needs and growth initiatives. Moreover, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly seeking such financial interventions to stabilize their finances, thus contributing to market expansion.

Another key growth factor is the technological advancements in financial services which have facilitated easier access to debt consolidation services. The integration of digital platforms has transformed how debt consolidation services are offered, making them more accessible to a broader audience. Online platforms allow users to easily compare different loan options, understand the terms, and even apply for consolidation loans without the need for physical visits to financial institutions. This technological integration not only streamlines the process for consumers but also expands the reach of service providers, thus driving market penetration across diverse demographics.

Regionally, North America holds a significant share of the debt consolidation market, owing to the high levels of consumer debt and the presence of well-established financial institutions. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by the rising middle-class population and increasing consumer credit demands. The debt consolidation market in Europe is also showing promising trends, as more individuals and corporates seek to simplify their financial obligations in the face of economic uncertainties. Meanwhile, regions such as Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are increasingly adopting these financial strategies, albeit at a slower pace compared to more developed regions.

Type Analysis

The consumer and corporate debt consolidat