In a stat that most likely will surprise few economists, credit card delinquencies are increasing in the U.S. -- a sign that the housing sector slump that has displaced thousands of employees is beginning to exact a toll on revolving credit accounts,
The Wall Street Journal (
subscription required) reported Friday.
The number of credit card accounts at least 60 days delinquent or that had gone into default increased to 7.6% in December 2007, up from 6.4% in December 2006, according to research compiled by RiskMetrics Group, the
Journal reported.
Further, Americans had $944 billion in total revolving debt in December 2007, which amounts to a seasonally adjusted annual increase of 2.7%, well below the seasonally adjusted growth rates of 13.7% and 11.1% for November 2007 and October 2007, respectively.
Another bubble: credit cardsEconomist Glen Langan told BloggingStocks Friday the credit card sector, like the housing sector, is correcting from an unprecedented -- and unsustainable -- growth period.