In 2020, ** percent of all auto loans were expected to be non-prime originations, up *** percent from 2019. However, ** percent of all auto loans were non-prime originations at the start of the recession in 2007. Non-prime loans are similar to subprime loans in that both are loan products accessible for those with low credit scores, however the average credit score needed for a non-prime loan in 2020 was ** points higher than the average score needed for a subprime loan in 2008. Income documentation is required to obtain non-prime credit, whereas none was needed for a subprime loan in 2008.

Following the drastic increase directly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the delinquency rate started to gradually decline, falling below *** percent in the second quarter of 2023. In the second half of 2023, the delinquency rate picked up, but remained stable throughout 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, **** percent of mortgage loans were delinquent. That was significantly lower than the **** percent during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 or the peak of *** percent during the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2010. What does the mortgage delinquency rate tell us? The mortgage delinquency rate is the share of the total number of mortgaged home loans in the U.S. where payment is overdue by 30 days or more. Many borrowers eventually manage to service their loan, though, as indicated by the markedly lower foreclosure rates. Total home mortgage debt in the U.S. stood at almost ** trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. Not all mortgage loans are made equal ‘Subprime’ loans, being targeted at high-risk borrowers and generally coupled with higher interest rates to compensate for the risk. These loans have far higher delinquency rates than conventional loans. Defaulting on such loans was one of the triggers for the 2007-2010 financial crisis, with subprime delinquency rates reaching almost ** percent around this time. These higher delinquency rates translate into higher foreclosure rates, which peaked at just under ** percent of all subprime mortgages in 2011.

Companies in the Subprime Auto Loans industry have contended with rising interest rates and significant economic volatility. Several small, specialized creditors have been pushed to bankruptcy because of diminishing profit and growing subprime auto loan delinquencies. According to Fitch Ratings Inc., the index of the 60-day delinquency rate of subprime auto loans reached 6.11% in September 2023 and remained significantly elevated at 6.00% in October 2023 (latest data available), a worse rating than during the great financial crisis. As a result, many businesses have exited the industry. However, in 2024 the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a point and is anticipated to cut rates further in the near future which will positively impact the industry. The pandemic shocked industry revenue in 2020, dampening profit and income for many lenders as stay-at-home orders rendered personal transportation less crucial to many. However, as the economy settles back to normal, many subprime consumers will return to work and lead the industry to growth in the latter part of the period. Overall, industry revenue has lagged at a CAGR of 1.2% to $19.0 billion over the five years to 2024, including an expected jump of 0.4% in 2024 alone. Despite the potential payout of subprime interest rates, many companies in the Auto Leasing, Loans and Sales Financing industry (IBISWorld report 52222) still chose not to expand the number of high-risk loans in their portfolios. Instead, they have sought super-prime and prime borrowers during heightened delinquency rates, which will aid in recovery. Moreover, many primary auto dealers have begun reducing their auto financing divisions to eliminate high-risk borrowers. Moving forward, industry revenue declines will be limited by rising access to credit and growth in consumer confidence, which will accelerate vehicle sales. Also, interest rates are expected to come down as the FED continues to monitor inflation and reduce rates accordingly. In addition, some consumers will seek to lock in financing deals as interest rates continue to be reduced. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to slump at a CAGR of 1.2% to $17.9 billion over the five years to 2029.

The industry is composed of non-depository institutions that conduct primary and secondary market lending. Operators in this industry include government agencies in addition to non-agency issuers of mortgage-related securities. Through 2025, rising per capita disposable income and low levels of unemployment helped fuel the increase in primary and secondary market sales of collateralized debt. Nonetheless, due to the pandemic and the sharp contraction in economic activity in 2020, revenue gains were limited, but have climbed as the economy has normalized and interest rates shot up to tackle rampant inflation. However, in 2024 the Federal Reserve cut interest rates as inflationary pressures eased and is expected to be cut further in 2025. Overall, these trends, along with volatility in the real estate market, have caused revenue to slump at a CAGR of 1.5% to $485.0 billion over the past five years, including an expected decline of 1.1% in 2025 alone. The high interest rate environment has hindered real estate loan demand and caused industry profit to shrink to 11.6% of revenue in 2025. Higher access to credit and higher disposable income have fueled primary market lending over much of the past five years, increasing the variety and volume of loans to be securitized and sold in secondary markets. An additional boon for institutions has been an increase in interest rates in the latter part of the period, which raised interest income as the spread between short- and long-term interest rates increased. These macroeconomic factors, combined with changing risk appetite and regulation in the secondary markets, have resurrected collateralized debt trading since the middle of the period. Although the FED cut interest rates in 2024, this will reduce interest income for the industry but increase loan demand. Although institutions are poised to benefit from a strong economic recovery as inflationary pressures ease, relatively steady rates of homeownership, coupled with declines in the 30-year mortgage rate, are expected to damage the primary market through 2030. Shaky demand from commercial banking and uncertainty surrounding inflationary pressures will influence institutions' decisions on whether or not to sell mortgage-backed securities and commercial loans to secondary markets. These trends are expected to cause revenue to decline at a CAGR of 0.8% to $466.9 billion over the five years to 2030.

Graph and download economic data for Bank Prime Loan Rate Changes: Historical Dates of Changes and Rates (PRIME) from 1955-08-04 to 2024-12-20 about prime, loans, interest rate, banks, interest, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Single-Family Residential Mortgages, Booked in Domestic Offices, All Commercial Banks (DRSFRMACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q1 2025 about domestic offices, delinquencies, 1-unit structures, mortgage, family, residential, commercial, domestic, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

Commercial Banks generate most of their revenue through loans to customers and businesses. Loans are set at interest rates that are influenced by different factors, including the federal funds rate (FFR), the prime rate, debtors' creditworthiness and overall macroeconomic performance. The Commercial Banking industry’s performance was mixed during the current period, which included both the postpandemic recovery and a strong economy amid high interest rates. At the onset of the period, volatile economic conditions created domestic and global dollar funding pressures, creating havoc in the Treasuries market and causing the Fed to act as a dealer of last resort by flooding the international and domestic dollar funding markets with liquidity. The Fed set interest rates to near zero in March 2020 to stimulate the economy; despite this, weak economic performance in 2020 limited demand for bank lending and investment, causing industry revenue to decline. In 2022, the Fed began increasing interest rates to curb historically high inflation. Commercial Banks benefited from the higher rates, which resulted in greater interest income for the industry and contributed to double-digit revenue growth in 2022 and 2023. However, as inflation receded, the Fed cut interest rates in 2024 and is anticipated to cut rates further in 2025 to provide a boost to the economy. Overall, industry revenue has been growing at a CAGR of 7.2% to $1,418.0 billion over the past five years, including an expected decrease of 3.7% in 2025 alone. During the outlook period, industry revenue is forecast to shrink at a CAGR of 1.3% to $1,328.5 billion through the end of 2030. Further interest rate cuts would lower interest income for the industry, hampering profit. In a lower interest rate environment, commercial banks would likely encounter rising loan demand but experience reduced investment income from fixed-income securities. In addition, the acquisition of financial technology start-ups to compete will increase as the industry continues to evolve.