Late Card Payments Decline — New Customer Use Patterns Emerging?
Signs of an Improving Economy: The Decline of Late Credit Card Payments
In increasing signs of a perking — or at least, stabilizing — economy, comes the news that late credit card payment are at a 20-year low. According to an AP article, the credit reporting bureau TransUnion is reporting “ the second-lowest recorded since the second quarter of 1994, when the rate was 0.56 percent, and it’s running ahead of the historical average of 1.03 percent. The firm’s records go back to 1992.”
The State of the U.S. Economy and Job Market
“Nearly four years after the recession, the U.S. economy and job market are far from fully recovered,” the same article continues, “though they are making steady progress.”
The Decline in Credit Card Debt
And credit card debt itself has dropped — an additional $2.7 billion since June, and over 16 percent smaller than the peak recorded in July 2008.
New Customer Payment Patterns
But those figures have implications about your customers’ patterns, as well. According to another analysis of the TransUnion report, “the average American consumer is still conservative when it comes to carrying revolving debt, and more cognizant of the duty to make monthly payments on time.”
The Shift in Credit Card Usage
In other words, your customers will still use charge cards, but are less willing to carry long-term debt on them.
Adapting to Changing Consumer Behavior
This can mean they are looking more to use cards for convenience — another aspect of an increasingly cash-less society. As a merchant, you should be willing to meet these new “card needs” at least half-way: Offering what incentives you can, in terms of rewards, mobility, etc., for your customers.
Catering to Customers with Large Ticket Purchases
And if you sell large ticket items that may require carrying month-to-month balances, make sure you also offer reward and loyalty programs, to help your newly credit aware customers feel like they are managing expenditures, and cash flow, wisely.
Contact AVPS for Tailored Solutions
So for your own “balance” and “flow,” be sure to contact your AVPS rep today!
