Mar 26 2017

Subprime auto loans face mounting problems: With $1.1 trillion in loans outstanding we all know bad deals are made in good times.

Exuberance breeds bad decisions as inhibitions and due diligence get tossed out the window like dirty water.  This is exactly what is unfolding in the rampaging auto market.  The latest data from Fitch Auto ABS Indices shows that 60+ day delinquencies for subprime loans are now at 5 percent of all outstanding balances.  This is […]

Dec 11 2016

Welcome back debt! Total household debt rose by $63 billion last quarter pushing total household debt to $12.35 trillion. More than half of the debt increase came through auto loans.

The appetite for debt is now back in a furious way.  Total household debt was up $63 billion last quarter driven largely by auto loans.  Auto loans increased by $32 billion and the amount of auto debt outstanding is stunning.  There is now a total of $1.14 trillion in auto loans floating in our economy.  […]

Dec 6 2013

Depreciating cars and expensive diplomas fueled by easy debt: 95 percent of consumer debt growth in past 12 months from cars and student loans.

New data from the Federal Reserve continues to highlight a reemergence of debt based consumer spending.  Americans are largely buying stuff they can’t afford with money they don’t have.  The Fed’s consumer credit report highlights a troubling trend.  Over the last 12 months 95 percent of all consumer debt growth has come from people buying […]

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