CBA Releases Chart Book for Q4 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) today released its Chart Book for the fourth quarter of 2025, which shows a mixed economic outlook. Consumer spending continues to be strong for high-income consumers but is lagging for middle- and low-income consumers. While defaults on credit cards, home equity lines of credit, and auto loans were flat, consumer sentiment remains low and some consumers' expenses are outpacing their incomes.
This is the fifth iteration of the CBA Chart Book; a quarterly snapshot of aggregate data and resources related to the retail banking industry.
Key Findings
This edition of the Chart Book highlights:
- Consumers: Total consumer debt increased in the fourth quarter of 2025. Credit card balance growth continues to moderate and the share of consumers paying off their full balance every month remains above pre-pandemic levels. Delinquencies for credit card and auto debt remained relatively flat, but still above pre-pandemic levels. The number of auto loan accounts increased in the fourth quarter. Student loan delinquencies continued to rise to record levels, driven by federal borrowers in repayment who continue to fall further behind on payments.
- Small Business: Small business loan demand remained flat compared to the third quarter while reported credit quality decreased slightly in the latest survey data. SBA 7(a) loan volume remained steady, trending closer to the pre-pandemic average after remaining elevated throughout 2024.
About the CBA Chart Book
As the lead voice on consumer finance issues, the CBA Chart Book is produced quarterly to equip retail banking industry leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the future of the industry. To view the latest edition of the CBA Chart Book, click HERE.
