Auto loan originations and leases to subprime borrowers fell to just 15% of the total in the first quarter, reported the New York Federal Reserve.
Credit scores in the fourth quarter of 2017 were only a half a point higher than the median score recorded during the first quarter of 2009. And according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 2017 auto loan origination volume reached the highest level it has ever observed.
The feat comes almost nine years after the Great Recession, when household debt reached $12.68 trillion. But the debt and its borrowers look quite different today, the New York Fed noted, and auto finance sources showed signs of tightening in response to some deterioration in auto loan performance.
Every type of debt posted a quarter-over-quarter increase, with auto loan balances increasing by $22 billion ($93 billion from a year ago) to $1.16 trillion. Much of that growth was driven by originations, which totaled $142 billion. That’s the highest level recorded in the 18-year history of New York Fed’s data.
media brand
The secure and easy all-access connection to your content.
Bookmarked content can then be accessed anytime on all of your logged in devices!
Already a member? Log In