Mortgage Delinquencies Accelerate Faster Than Other Consumer Debt

New York, Wednesday, 4 February 2026.
As of February 2026, a significant shift in consumer credit dynamics has emerged: the growth rate of late-stage mortgage delinquencies is now outpacing that of auto loans and credit cards. Data from December 2025 highlights an 18.6% year-over-year increase in severe delinquencies, signaling that the housing affordability crisis has migrated from prospective buyers to existing homeowners. This trend challenges the assumption that homeowners are insulated from economic stress, suggesting that rising non-mortgage costs—such as insurance and property taxes—are eroding household stability even among those with fixed-rate loans.