Consumers Nationwide Pay Down Credit Card Debt in September

RISMEDIA, October 8, 2009—Credit Karma, the consumer’s advocate for demystifying credit, released its U.S. Credit Score Climate Report with trend data for September 2009. Consumer credit card debt decreased throughout the month of September. In addition, from June to September, credit card debt decreased by 4% nationally and four states experienced double digit decreases in credit card debt quarter over quarter. These include: 

-Nevada – 16% credit card debt decrease since June
-Kentucky – 12% credit card debt decrease since June
-Ohio – 10% credit card debt decrease since June
-Tennessee – 10% credit card debt decrease since June 

In September, the average consumer with an open account had: 
-$6,641 in credit card debt
-$190,096 in home mortgage loans
-$50,812 in home equity
-$14,402 in auto loans
-$26,295 in student loans 

In addition, credit scores are on the rise for many consumers. Thirty-nine percent of consumer credit scores have increased, 29% have decreased, and 32% remained the same. The current average U.S. consumer credit score is 672, which is down two points since June and four points since the beginning of the year. 

Here are some other key findings:
-Louisiana had the highest increase in credit card debt from June to September. Credit card debt increased 15% during the quarter. The average Louisiana consumer with a credit card now has $5,812 in credit card debt;

-Texas had the highest percentage of increasing credit scores. During August, 41% of Texas consumers had their credit score increase; 29% credit score decrease; and 30% remained the same;

-The Denver MSA, which had the highest percentage of decreasing credit scores in August, had the highest percentage of increasing credit scores in September with 42% of consumers seeing an increase. 26% of Denver consumers had their credit scores decrease in September and 32% remained the same. The increase in credit scores could be due to the fact that Denver consumers paid down credit card debt by 7% during the quarter. 

For more information, visit www.creditkarma.com.