Credit Card and Auto Debt Balance Growth Outpaces Student Loans Amid Broad Delinquency Relief

Highlights:

Total U.S. consumer debt reached $18.25 trillion in Q2 2026, reflecting a 2.1% year-over-year increase primarily driven by mortgage and revolving bankcard debt.Delinquency rates showed broad improvement across automotive, bankcard, and mortgage sectors, suggesting a significant stabilization trend in consumer portfolios.

ATLANTA, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Equifax® (NYSE: EFX) has released its Market Pulse Second Quarter U.S. Consumer Credit Trends, which includes U.S. national consumer credit data and trends through June 2026 sourced from Equifax proprietary data. While consumer debt balances reached $18.25 trillion in June, driven by increases in mortgage and revolving consumer bank card debt, the data signaled a stabilization period for consumers with only a 0.32% increase from the first quarter of 2026. The data also highlights a consistent improvement in delinquencies in all categories.

Continued Annual Debt Growth Driven by Mortgage and Revolving Card Debt

Total U.S. consumer debt climbed to $18.25 trillion by the end of Q2 2026, a 2.1% year-over-year increase, which represented a growth of nearly $400 billion in a 12-month span. This expansion was primarily driven by mortgage debt, which accounted for roughly 74% of all consumer debt, as first mortgage and HELOC balances were up 1.9% and 12.5% year-over-year.

“We are witnessing a period where top-line consumer data suggests retail and mortgage credit is stabilizing,” said Emmaline Aliff, Advisory Leader at Equifax. “Total consumer debt only increased slightly in the second quarter of 2026, heavily anchored by first mortgages and a renewed reliance on credit cards. Although consumers accumulated seasonal credit card debt last November and December and paid the balances down in the first quarter, they took on more debt in the second quarter, though mortgage debt remains the majority of total consumer debt obligations.”

Structural Shifts in Non-Mortgage Portfolios as Auto and Card Balances Stand to Eclipse Student Loan Debt

While auto loans, student loans, and bankcards continue to dominate roughly 90% of all non-mortgage debt, the composition of this debt has fundamentally shifted over the last three years. Bankcard debt, which was around $1.02 trillion in June 2024, and has grown by 8.2% to land at $1.1 trillion in the second quarter of 2026. This growth outpaces inflation over this same time period, which was about 6.5%.

“Historically, total student loan debt balances were consistently higher than auto debt and almost twice as much as bankcard debt,” said Aliff. “The changing proportions of the non-mortgage categories reflect a macro shift, where student loan stabilization is being offset by further reliance on credit to manage the budgetary pressures of rising household and vehicle costs.”

Delinquencies Broadly Stabilized Across Consumer Portfolios as Mortgage Delinquencies Improve from May

Delinquency rates across automotive, bankcard, and unsecured personal loan portfolios all registered measurable downward trajectories on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis. This broader stabilization also extended to the mortgage sector. Though first mortgage 90+ days past due (DPD) delinquencies rose 40.6% year-over-year from historic mid-2025 lows, they have improved, dropping 3.6% since May 2026, and suggesting a normalization of delinquencies and alleviation of pressure for some homeowners.

Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year Results

Total Consumer Debt Balances

First Mortgage Balances

Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) Balances

Auto Loan Balances

Bankcard Balances

Student Loans Balances

Equifax has been tracking U.S. National Consumer Credit Trends for more than 20 years. Monthly reports can be found on Equifax.com. These reports track originations, balances and delinquencies on U.S. consumer mortgages, auto loans and leases, student loans, bankcards and private label credit cards, and personal loans. To explore Equifax tools that deliver U.S. National Consumer Credit Trends data and key market metrics click here.

ABOUT EQUIFAX INC. 

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tiffany Smith for Equifax
mediainquiries@equifax.com 

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SOURCE Equifax Inc.

The article outlines which repairs and improvements matter most before listing a home and how sellers can avoid unnecessary costs.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should homeowners fix before selling a home in Moore County? The answer is explored in a HelloNation article, which explains how targeted home listing preparation can improve results without unnecessary spending.

The HelloNation article explains that many sellers make the mistake of trying to fix everything before listing. While the intention is to present a perfect home, this approach often leads to overspending on upgrades that do not influence buyer decisions. Instead, the article emphasizes focusing on the areas that directly affect how a home is perceived during showings.

A key takeaway from the article is that buyers are evaluating more than just visible features. They are also forming opinions about how well the property has been maintained. Deferred maintenance, even in small forms, can create doubt. The article highlights common issues such as leaky fixtures, peeling paint, worn caulking, and sticking doors as problems that should be addressed early in the home listing preparation process.

Curb appeal is another important factor discussed in the article. First impressions begin before a buyer enters the home, and simple improvements can make a noticeable difference. The article describes how maintaining a clean lawn, trimming landscaping, and refreshing the front entry help create a sense of care and attention. For those selling a home in Moore County, this initial impression can influence how buyers view the entire property.

Inside the home, clutter is identified as a frequent issue that sellers can resolve without significant cost. The article explains that excess furniture and personal items can make spaces feel smaller and distract from the home’s features. Clearing surfaces, organizing storage areas, and reducing visual distractions allows buyers to better imagine themselves in the space. Real Estate Expert insights featured in the article reinforce that presentation often matters as much as condition.

The article also addresses flooring and paint as areas where modest updates can have a meaningful impact. Neutral paint and well-maintained flooring can make a home feel newer and more inviting. In contrast, heavily personalized colors or worn surfaces may limit buyer interest. These updates are often more effective than larger renovations when preparing for sale.

When it comes to major upgrades, the article advises sellers to rely on market data rather than assumptions. Not every renovation delivers a return equal to its cost. In some cases, the article explains, a thorough cleaning and minor updates can produce better results than an expensive remodel. Understanding what buyers expect within a specific price range is essential when deciding how much to invest before listing.

The article also discusses the value of transparency through seller disclosures and pre-listing inspections. Identifying issues in advance allows sellers to address them on their own timeline and avoid surprises during negotiations. This approach can help build buyer confidence and keep transactions on track. Real Estate Expert perspectives featured in the article highlight that preparation reduces uncertainty for both parties.

Pricing is ultimately presented as the most important factor in selling a home in Moore County. The article explains that even a well-updated home may struggle if priced incorrectly, while a properly priced home in good condition can attract strong interest. Before making decisions about repairs or upgrades, understanding the appropriate price point is critical.

The article concludes that a clean, maintained, and well-presented home consistently performs better in the market than one with unnecessary upgrades. By focusing on the details buyers notice most, sellers can improve both speed and outcome without overextending their budget.

“What Moore County Home Sellers Should Fix Before Listing Their Property” features insights from Bill Sahadi, Real Estate Expert of Southern Pines, North Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

Leading learning design and internship placement firm expands its leadership to become the premier work-integrated learning and internship services firm for higher education

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alchemy, a unit of Nectar Learning, Inc., today announced a new chapter in its growth with the introduction of expanded leadership following the acquisition of Ease Learning, a portfolio company of Achieve Partners, and Achieve’s strategic investment in Alchemy. The announcement signals the company’s accelerated evolution into the premier tech-enabled, product-led career-connected learning and internship services firm for higher education.

“Alchemy and its predecessor companies have been leaders in designing and delivering digital learning for over 30 years. Now, it is time for a new chapter that enables us to leverage both our technology and people expertise to be the leaders in connecting learning to real work. We want the world to say YES to interns! Our new and expanded leadership team enables us to pair our internship services with our learning solutions, especially our platform, Curie, which powers organizations and higher education institutions to design and deliver relevant, career-connected, standards-compliant learning.” – Carrie O’Donnell, Founder & Chair, Alchemy

As the company shifts toward a tech-enabled, product-led ecosystem with deep expertise in AI in teaching and learning, Alchemy introduces a new executive leadership team and board directors uniquely positioned to lead this next phase of growth.

New Executive Leadership

Matt Gurney
Chief Executive Officer
Matt Gurney steps into the role of CEO, having previously served as Alchemy’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer. His extensive background in product, marketing, and general leadership at technology startups makes him the natural leader to guide Alchemy into its next chapter, as the company accelerates its AI-driven approach to career-connected learning and internship placement.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgurney/ 

Lois Harrison
Chief Operating Officer
Lois Harrison joins as Chief Operating Officer, bringing a proven track record of effective strategic operations leadership demonstrated through her tenure leading Ease Learning. Her operational expertise and strategic acumen are central to Alchemy’s expanded platform and service delivery.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lois-harrison-354a99b/ 

Brad Gibbs
Senior Vice President, Growth and Marketing
Brad Gibbs brings years of demonstrated success driving GTM strategy and market expansion at education technology and services companies. As SVP of Growth and Marketing, he will lead Alchemy’s national growth effort as the company scales its career-connected learning and internship offerings.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradgibbs/ 

New Board Directors

Ryan Craig
Board Director
Ryan Craig is a Founder and Managing Director at Achieve Partners, as well as an investor, author, and nationally recognized commentator on higher education and workforce development. A co-founder of Apprenticeships for America, Ryan has spent his career forging new pathways from education to employment and championing the skills-based economy.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-craig-b4617a80/ 

Jeff Selingo
Board Director
Jeff Selingo is a prominent journalist, strategist, and New York Times bestselling author who has devoted more than 25 years to covering higher education and the future of work. Best known for demystifying college admissions and workforce readiness, Jeff brings unparalleled insight into the evolving landscape connecting education to careers. 

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffselingo/ 

“The education-to-workforce ecosystem is shifting under demographic and societal pressures, and the gap in trained workers across fields like semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare has never been more acute. The time is right for a company that doesn’t just deliver learning experiences, but closes the distance between instruction and real work. Alchemy is purpose-built for this moment, and our new leadership team and board are exactly the right collaborators to make it happen.” – Matt Gurney, CEO, Alchemy

ABOUT ALCHEMY

Alchemy, a unit of Nectar Learning, Inc., is the premier career-connected learning and internship services firm for higher education. Alchemy helps institutions turn learning into workforce outcomes, backed by 30+ years of instructional expertise and Curie, its proprietary platform for designing and delivering career-connected learning at scale. By absorbing the operational complexity that makes quality learning difficult to scale, Alchemy closes the gap between instruction and application for institutions, and between talent development and daily execution for employers. Backed by Achieve Partners, Alchemy is accelerating its mission to connect education to meaningful workforce outcomes.

www.alchemy.works/for-employers 

MEDIA CONTACT

Alchemy  |  Stamford, CT
Kellie Pierce
kpierce@nectar.inc

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SOURCE Alchemy