Total household debt declined slightly in the second quarter while delinquency rates remained stable, per New York Fed data.
US household debt balances fell by 0.1% to $18.8 trillion in Q2 2026, marking a modest decline after steady increases in prior quarters. The drop was driven by lower mortgage balances, though credit card and auto loan debt saw slight upticks.
Delinquency rates held roughly steady, suggesting no immediate deterioration in consumer credit quality. The prior quarter had shown a 0.2% rise in total debt, while Q2 2025 balances stood at $18.6 trillion.
Markets may view the stable delinquency rates as a sign of resilience in consumer financial health amid broader economic uncertainty.