TransUnion's Q1 2026 Credit Industry Insights Report highlights a K-shaped split in U.S. consumer credit risk. Between Q4 2019 and Q4 2025, the super prime tier expanded by 380 basis points to 40.7%, representing 15 million new consumers, while prime plus, prime and near-prime segments contracted by a combined 390 basis points over the same period. Subprime share remained relatively stable at 14.8%.

Non-prime consumers experienced the steepest rise in non-mortgage debt-to-income ratios, with near-prime debt servicing costs climbing 176 basis points and subprime ratios increasing 143 basis points since Q4 2019. By comparison, super prime non-mortgage DTI rose just 29 basis points. These growing obligations constrain cash flow and heighten financial strain for borrowers already facing elevated expenses and limited liquidity.

Despite heightened non-prime stress, lenders have maintained and even expanded credit access. From Q3 2019 to Q3 2025, subprime bankcard originations share rose 220 basis points, led by a 320 basis point increase among deep subprime borrowers. Meanwhile, new bankcard credit lines grew 11.5% for super prime consumers to $12,511, compared with 5.5% and 7.1% increases for deep and high subprime tiers, respectively.