TransUnion, one of three national consumer credit data firms, reported that year over year auto loan balances rose on a per borrower basis and that auto loan delinquency did as well.

TransUnion reported that as of the end of the third quarter of 2014, the average borrower's auto loan balance had risen from $16,694 at the end of 2013 to $17,090. Auto loan delinquency also rose, from 1.02% to 1.16% over the same period.

However, the firm also pointed out that the auto delinquency rates, which it defined as borrowers who are more than 60 days late with auto loan payments, remained below its pre-recession averages.

“The auto loan delinquency rate is rising, but it remains well below levels observed just a few years ago,” said Peter Turek, automotive vice president for TransUnion. “With nearly five million more auto loan accounts reported in the last year and with continued sales strength in this sector, it's not unusual to see an increase in the delinquency rate. As long as delinquency rates remain around 1%, we don't anticipate seeing a material change in auto lending strategies.”

TransUnion also reported that the rise in delinquency had taken place almost nationwide, with every state other than Oklahoma and Hawaii reporting a higher rate of late auto payments.

Delinquency also rose at different rates depending on the age of the borrower, TransUnion reported, Borrowers below the age 50 saw auto delinquency rates rise between 1.19% for the age group 40-49 to 1.32% for borrowers under age 30 and 1.37% for borrowers under borrowers aged 30-39.

TransUnion reported delinquency rose to 0.84% in California, 0.90% in New York, 0.93% in Pennsylvania, 1.14% in Florida, 1.17 in Pennsylvania and 1.37% in Texas.

Instant Insights /

Auto Loan Delinquency Up: TransUnion

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