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As interest rates increased in 2022, the number of refinance mortgage originations declined, with cash-out refinances becoming a larger share of all refinances. Cash-out refinances exacerbated the 2008 financial crisis, but regulatory and market developments may have changed the risks of cash-out refinances to consumers and the mortgage market. A new analysis looks at the characteristics of these refinances and the rates of delinquency.

Cashflow data (regular savings, accumulated savings, paying bills on time) helps predict ability to repay and repayment risk, even when accounting for credit scores.

Credit reporting changes through the Department of Education’s Fresh Start program coincided with increased credit scores for nearly 2 million student loan borrowers.

A new analysis from CFPB researchers finds that the majority of mortgage borrowers in forbearance during COVID-19 have since become current on their loans.

Delinquencies and scheduled payments for non-student-loans continue to rise for student loan borrowers during the federal student loan payment pause.

Mortgage borrowers are paying around $100 a month more depending on which lender they choose, for the same type of loan and the same consumer characteristics (such as credit score and downpayment).

Creditors can obtain civil judgments to garnish wages for unpaid debts, but civil judgments are much more common in some states and areas than others.

Credit score tiers shifted upward during the pandemic, with more consumers transitioning from subprime to prime credit scores.

New research from the CFPB Office of Research: With high inflation, many renters are struggling, yet relatively few found assistance. In addition, the transition to homeownership has slowed markedly in the past year.

Mortgage interest rates rose sharply in recent months. New research reveals that these increases are impacting borrowers’ monthly payments and debt burdens.

Delinquencies on non-student-loan credit products continue to rise for student loan borrowers, signaling potential payment difficulties when scheduled payments resume.

New CFPB research analyzes how increased car prices are impacting the most economically vulnerable consumers.

CFPB explores the connection between eligibility for nonprofit hospitals’ financial assistance programs and the prevalence of medical collections.

Housing costs rose rapidly last year but some people experience this inflation more than others. New research shows that low-income renters’ credit card debt increased sharply last year.

This blog post examines recent changes in overdraft and NSF fee revenues reported in call reports to understand how announced changes in overdraft policies affected these revenues.

Since April 2020, Access to new credit cards has decreased, but access to mortgages and auto loans has increased since the start of the pandemic.

Since April 2020, credit limits on credit cards largely stagnated, but have risen in recent months for most credit score groups.

Since April 2020, credit card balances and utilization rates have continued to decline, and the share of credit card borrowers that carry a balance rather than pay in full have also declined.

Since July 2020, consumers have transitioned out of assistance to varying degrees across all credit products, but a significant share of mortgage borrowers continue to receive assistance.

New CFPB research examines trends in consumer credit during COVID-19, finding delinquencies for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and student loans remain lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Consumer credit markets in September were still far from their normal operation prior to the pandemic. This blog posts compares the actual volume of credit inquiries to their usual pre-pandemic volume. Credit card and auto loan inquiries remain depressed, while new mortgage inquiries are above their usual level.

We use the Bureau’s Making Ends Meet survey to study whether financially vulnerable consumers have turned to credit card debt during the coronavirus pandemic.