Credit card balances projected to tick up by smallest amount in years in 2026

Core Insights - Americans' credit card balances are projected to increase by the smallest annual amount since 2013, with a forecasted growth of 2.3% in 2026, reaching $1.18 trillion [1] - The growth in credit card balances has cooled significantly from the spikes of 18.5% in 2022 and 12.6% in 2023, indicating a shift in consumer spending behavior [1] - Lenders have become more cautious in extending credit access following a surge in post-pandemic spending, leading to a stabilization of delinquencies [2][4] Consumer Behavior - Despite rising prices and a challenging economic outlook, consumers are showing resilience, with household balance sheets appearing "broadly solid" [6] - The K-shaped economy is evident, where higher-income individuals are thriving while those with lower incomes and credit scores are struggling, resulting in a shrinking middle class [5] Delinquency Trends - Delinquencies for auto loans are expected to grow slightly for the fifth consecutive year in 2026, but at a slower rate compared to previous years [5] - Personal loan delinquencies may also see a slight increase next year, but not as dramatically as the surge observed in 2022 [5]