Credit unions watching their members' credit scores slide over the course of the recession might see a few of them start to improve, according to a consumer credit score tracking firm.
Credit Karma, a San Francisco firm that tracks and provides credit scores, reported that nationwide from June through September, 39% of credit scores increased, 29% decreased and 32% remained the same. As of the end of September, the average consumer credit score was 672, which the company reported was down two points from June and four points from the beginning of the year.
The company reported that Louisiana had the highest increase in credit card debt from June to September. Credit card debt increased 15% during the quarter. The average Louisiana consumer with a credit card now has $5,812 in credit card debt.
Texas had the highest percentage of increasing credit scores. During August, 41% of Texas consumers had their credit score increase; 29% decrease; and 30% remained the same.
The Denver metropolitan statistical area, which had the highest percentage of declining credit scores in August, had the highest percentage of increasing credit scores in September at 42% of consumers. Of Denver consumers, 26% had their credit scores decrease in September and 32% remained the same. The increase in credit scores could be due to the fact that Denver consumers paid down credit card debt by 7% during the quarter.
