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ATLANTA, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The credit landscape continues its consistent recovery heading into the second quarter of 2012, with the exception of home finance, according to the U.S. consumer data from Equifax's March National Consumer Credit Trends Report. At the end of Q1 2012, U.S. consumer debt was at $10.9 trillion, down more than 11% from its peak of $12.4 trillion in Oct. 2008. 

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Credit write-offs are lower by 50% from March 2009, when banks wrote off a total of $39.7 billion – excluding home finance write-offs. In March 2012 the number stood at $20 billion, reflecting stronger consumer finances. During the recession, the average size of delinquencies rapidly increased as dollar rates were outpacing total number of delinquent accounts, a trend that has since reversed in auto, bankcard, consumer finance, and retail card categories. 

More than 72% of total delinquencies are still tied to loans originated between 2005 and 2007, which comprise 36% of balances outstanding, while loans opened in 2009 and later have performed much better. Only 12.6% of delinquent accounts are from credit lines or loans opened in or after 2009.

New non-mortgage credit balances continue to increase.  New auto, bank and retail cards, consumer finance, home equity and student loan credit rose to $61 billion in January 2012, an 11% increase over the same time a year ago when new accounts totaled $55 billion.

Some key findings from the Equifax's latest data include:

Auto

• Auto loan and lease balances rose to a post-recession high of $727.5 billion in March 2012.
• Auto finance loans totaled more than $380 billion — the highest since Q3 2009.Delinquency rates among all auto loans are at their lowest point in five years.
• Auto sales are rising fast and new auto loans to pay for them are also growing.  New auto loans obtained from banks in January 2012 rose to 728,000 accounts, up from 630,000 a year ago, while new auto loans from finance companies grew to 753,000 accounts from last January's 735,500.

Bankcard and Consumer Finance

• Outstanding bankcard balances in March 2012 stood at $532.8 billion, an $8 billion decrease from the previous year; however this is a modest drop compared to the decrease of more than $54 billion seen from 2010-2011.
• In March 2012, delinquencies and write-offs among existing bankcards were well below pre-recession levels and the lowest in five years.
• Available credit, the difference between credit limits and balances, is climbing and in March 2010 reached nearly $1.9 trillion, the highest since Sept. 2009.
• New consumer finance loan volume totaled 1.4 million new accounts in January, an increase of 8% over the same month a year ago.
• Consumer finance loans taken out in January summed to $4.3 billion, a 12.1% increase over January 2011 volumes.

Student Loans

• While still elevated from previous years, write-offs decreased from March 2011-2012, the first reverse in the trend in six years.
• The average amount per new loan is currently $4,548, down nearly 20% from Jan. 2011 ($5,572) the first decline in three years.
• Similarly, loan amount per student dropped 12% to $6,917 versus the same time last year.
• Borrowers aged 30-39 year old took out 17% of the number of new student loans in January, equating to nearly 15 million loans, however their loans represent 24% of the total dollar amount of new student loans opened in January (approximately $157 billion).
• Conversely, the 23-and-under age range took out nearly twice as many loans (just over 30 million), yet account for nearly the same total dollar amount.

"Lower delinquency rates and fewer write-offs coupled with the growth of new credit across multiple sectors clearly outlines the increased activity of consumers and their renewed faith in the marketplace heading into the second quarter," said Equifax Chief Economist Amy Crews Cutts. "Aside from Home finance, which will require a longer recovery time due to long foreclosure process, the data reflects the improving U.S. economy as consumers explore new financial options and exercise due diligence in repaying their existing debts."

About Equifax

Equifax Inc. is a global leader in consumer, commercial and workforce information solutions, that provides businesses of all sizes and consumers with insight and information they can trust. Equifax organizes and assimilates data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and uses advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or has investments in 18 countries and is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index.  Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. For more information, please visit www.equifax.com.

SOURCE Equifax Inc.