Credit Card Delinquencies Down, Debt Per Borrower Up

The ratio of U.S. credit card accountholders more than 90 days past due on payments fell to 0.78% in the fourth quarter of 2011, down 5% over the year, according to TransUnion.

That’s the lowest delinquency rate seen since 1995, according to Ezra Becker, a vice president with TransUnion. Becker calls the drop “the net result of riskier loans having worked their way through the system, cautious risk management strategies on the part of lenders and consumers working to maintain the health and good status of their card relationships.”

At the same time, average credit card debt per borrower rose slightly, up $239 to $5,204, TransUnion says.