Support our non-partisan non-profit newsroom 💜 Donate now

Why is credit card debt rising again?

Jan 29, 2024
Delinquencies are up, especially for people with lower incomes and multiple types of debt, according to the New York Fed.
People with jobs feel comfortable spending money on their credit cards, says Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

Inflation, high interest rates, and access are all part of credit card debt exceeding $1 trillion

Aug 9, 2023
A strong labor market also means people feel more confident they'll be able to pay the debt back.
Gen Zers are are growing their credit card balances at a faster pace than any other generation, and are confident they'll be able to pay it back in the future.
Getty Images

Credit card debt is up 13% from last year, New York Fed reports

Aug 3, 2022
That’s the biggest year-over-year increase in 20 years. Inflation is just part of the reason.
Credit card debt increased by 13% over recent months as consumers go back to pre-pandemic spending habits, like going to restaurants or traveling.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Using coronavirus relief to pay down credit cards

Aug 6, 2020
Credit card debt was down by $76 billion in the second quarter, the steepest decline in card balances since tracking started.
iStock/Getty Images

Consumer lending is a bright spot for big banks

Oct 17, 2019
Even as retail sales growth is showing signs of stalling, consumers are continuing to borrow.
The JP Morgan Chase headquarters in Manhattan.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Thieves have been stealing credit card info at gas pumps. Now there's an app to foil them.

Sep 6, 2019
"Skimmers" capture credit card data and can transmit it wirelessly to criminals.
Skimmer circuits can record thousands of credit card numbers and transmit them via Bluetooth to a criminal’s computer.
Shalina Chatlani/KPBS

For public good, not for profit.

Why Apple encourages holders of its new credit card not to swipe it

Mar 26, 2019
Apple’s launch event Monday for the first time included no new iPhones, Macs, Apple Watches or other devices.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images

Why can’t you pay for more things with a wave of your mobile phone?

Feb 25, 2019
We were promised mobile payments, but seems they're off with the jetpacks somewhere.
Guests demo Samsung Pay at Samsung Unpacked in 2015 in New York City.
Donald Bowers/Getty Images

We have the chips, but how safe is online shopping?

Nov 25, 2016
You're still an easy target online, where so much holiday shopping actually happens.
Shoppers buy gifts at the Toys'R'Us store during early Black Friday events on November 24, 2016 in Paramus, New Jersey. Although Black Friday sales are expected to be strong, many shoppers are opting to buy early or online, with retailers offering year round sales and other incentives that are expected to ease crowds.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images