Holiday Spending Hits Record $1.29 Trillion, But America's Debt Dependency Raises Red Flags
The 2025 holiday season delivered record retail sales, but surging BNPL usage and credit card reliance suggest consumers are stretching further than ever.
343 articles found for "debt"
Global Bond Market Sets Record: $72 Billion Floods Investment-Grade Debt in 2026's First Week
Global investment-grade bond issuance hit a record $72 billion in the first two days of 2026 trading, signaling strong investor appetite for corporate credit despite geopolitical uncertainty.
Trump Calls for 10% Cap on Credit Card Interest Rates: What It Would Mean for Your Wallet
President Trump called for a one-year 10% cap on credit card interest rates starting January 20. With average rates above 20%, here's what the proposal could mean for the $1.2 trillion Americans carry in credit card debt.
Credit Card APRs Remain Above 21% Despite Fed Cuts: What Borrowers Must Know in 2026
Despite the Federal Reserve cutting rates by 175 basis points, credit card APRs remain above 21%. Here's what borrowers need to know about managing high-interest debt in 2026.
The Real Cost of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Apps
Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm promise 'interest-free' payments. But the hidden costs are trapping a generation in a new kind of debt spiral.
Student Loan Forgiveness Is Taxable Again: The 'Tax Bomb' That Could Cost Borrowers Thousands
A key tax exemption for forgiven student debt expired on December 31, 2025. Borrowers who qualify for forgiveness could now face tax bills exceeding $12,000.
The Student Loan Bankruptcy Myth Is Dead: 87% of Borrowers Who Try Now Succeed
A new study reveals 87% of student loan borrowers who pursue bankruptcy discharge now succeed, up from 40% in 2007. The myth that these debts can't be discharged is finally crumbling.
Oracle's $50 Billion AI Spending Spree Spooks Wall Street: Inside the Biggest Tech Selloff Since 2001
Oracle crashed 14% after announcing $50 billion in AI capital expenditures. With debt at $108 billion, investors question whether the AI payoff will justify the cost.
Americans Finally Hit the Brakes: Revolving Credit Falls $2.1 Billion as Consumer Caution Returns
For the first time in months, Americans are pulling back on credit card spending. The Federal Reserve's latest data shows revolving credit dropped $2.1 billion—a 1.9% annual decline.
TransUnion Forecasts Slowest Credit Card Balance Growth Since 2013 as Consumers Pull Back
TransUnion's 2026 Consumer Credit Forecast projects credit card balance growth of just 2.3%—the smallest increase since 2013. Here's what the data reveals about American financial health.
5.5 Million Student Loan Borrowers Face Wage Garnishment as Default Collections Resume in January
The Trump administration will resume garnishing wages from 5.5 million defaulted student loan borrowers starting January 2026, ending a years-long pandemic pause.
Americans Paid $160 Billion in Credit Card Interest Last Year, New CFPB Report Reveals
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's new report shows Americans paid $160 billion in credit card interest in 2024, with average rates near 21% and debt exceeding $1.2 trillion.