Mortgage delinquencies are rising across the United States, with a notable increase in borrowers missing payments for the first time, according to data released this month. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported on February 10, 2026, that transitions into serious delinquency have ticked up for mortgages, alongside credit card balances and student loans.
The New York Fed’s Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit, released February 10, 2026, indicated that total household debt increased by $191 billion, or 1.0%, in the fourth quarter of 2025, reaching $18.8 trillion. Mortgage balances grew by $98 billion during the same period, totaling $13.17 trillion by the end of 2025. While these figures represent modest growth, the accompanying rise in delinquencies is drawing scrutiny from economists, and investors.
Wilbert van der Klaauw, Economic Research Advisor at the New York Fed, stated that mortgage delinquencies continue to increase, though rates are currently near historically normal levels. He added that the deterioration is concentrated in lower-income areas and regions experiencing declining home prices. This geographic concentration suggests a link between local economic conditions and borrowers’ ability to meet their mortgage obligations.
Data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau indicates that the 30-89 day mortgage delinquency rate – a measure of early-stage delinquencies and an indicator of overall market health – captures borrowers who have missed one or two payments. As of December 2025, the CFPB provides interactive charts showing delinquency rates by state, metro area, and county, dating back to January 2008. The data shows delinquency rates varying by location, ranging from 0% to 6% in March 2025.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported in November 2025 that the delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.99 percent of all loans outstanding at the end of the third quarter of 2025. This increase follows a period of historically low delinquency rates during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when government assistance programs and forbearance options helped many borrowers stay current on their mortgages.
The rise in delinquencies is occurring as household debt levels continue to climb. Credit card balances rose by $44 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, reaching $1.28 trillion. Auto loan balances increased by $12 billion to $1.67 trillion, and student loan balances rose by $11 billion to $1.66 trillion. The New York Fed reported $524 billion in newly originated mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2025, alongside $181 billion in new auto loans.
The student loan delinquency rate remains elevated, with 9.6% of balances 90+ days delinquent, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This suggests ongoing challenges for borrowers navigating the resumption of student loan payments after a period of suspension.
