US consumer debt rises 2.9% to $18.56 trillion in September, Equifax says
SPY•U.S. consumer debt rose 2.9% year over year to $18.56 trillion in September 2026, while bankcard severe delinquencies fell 9 basis points to 2.74%.
1. Debt balances rise
U.S. consumer debt rose 2.9% year over year to $18.56 trillion in September 2026. Mortgage debt, including home equity loans, totaled $13.77 trillion, or 74.2% of consumer debt; auto loan and lease balances rose 3.7% to $1.74 trillion, and bankcard balances climbed 3.9% to $1.13 trillion. The bankcard severe balance delinquency rate, for payments at least 60 days overdue, fell 9 basis points year over year to 2.74%.
