Core Insights - The FICO UK Credit Card Market Report for November 2025 indicates that pre-Christmas spending was below 2024 levels, with rising balances and the lowest payment rates since 2021, highlighting financial stress among consumers [1] Spending Trends - Average credit card spending increased by 2.6% from October to November, reaching £785, but remained 2.4% lower year-on-year [1] - The percentage of customers using credit cards for cash withdrawals saw a significant decline of 12.3% month-on-month and 15.2% year-on-year [1] Payment and Balance Analysis - Payment rates dropped to 33.4%, down 2.8% from the previous month and 7.4% from November 2024, indicating increased financial strain [1] - Average active balances rose to £1,915, reflecting a monthly increase of 0.8% and an annual rise of 5% [1] Delinquency and Risk Indicators - The number of credit card accounts exceeding their limit increased by 6.4% month-on-month and 5.9% year-on-year [1] - Delinquent balances have grown across all categories, suggesting that customers missing payments are doing so with higher debt loads than in previous years [1] Strategic Recommendations - Risk and collections teams are advised to enhance monitoring for customers showing early signs of payment distress, especially as the holiday season approaches [1] - Effective account management should consider consumers' current financial situations and their capacity to manage existing and additional debt [1]