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lostincalifornia

(4,785 posts)
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 01:43 PM Sep 17

Credit scores are dropping rapidly.

"For more than a decade, Americans watched their credit scores climb steadily upward, a reassuring sign of improving financial health following the Great Recession. However, it appears the streak has come to an abrupt end. The national average credit score has officially dropped for two consecutive years, falling from 718 in 2023 to 717 in 2024, and it now sits at 715 in 2025, according to new data from FICO, the company behind the credit scores most widely used by lenders.

While a few points might seem insignificant, this credit score reversal marks a concerning shift after years of progress. What's particularly alarming isn't just the decline itself, but what's driving it: Americans are drowning in debt at levels that suggest the economy might be in worse shape than headline numbers indicate. For example, delinquency rates across multiple types of loans have reached heights not seen since the depths of the 2009 financial crisis.

That's not the only issue that's contributing to the rapid decline in credit scores, either. So, if you've seen your credit score dip recently, here's what else could be driving it — and what you can do to get your credit (and your finances) back on track.

...........

Generation Z appears to be bearing the brunt of this credit crisis. About 14% of Gen Z borrowers experienced dramatic credit score drops of 50 points or more over the past year, according to the FICO data, which is double the rate seen in 2021 and also represents a higher drop than any other generation. These young adults, many of whom are entering their peak earning years, are instead finding themselves financially underwater, potentially setting back their ability to buy homes, secure favorable loan terms or even qualify for certain jobs that require credit checks."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/credit-scores-dropping-rapidly-heres-why-what-to-do-about-it/




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Silent Type

(11,721 posts)
1. Covid stimulus helped keep folks flush in 2021. Honestly, the difference among 717, 716, 715 is minuscule.
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 01:55 PM
Sep 17

AZJonnie

(2,028 posts)
5. Is it very small but as the article says, the main concern is that its the reversal of a long trend upwards
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 02:37 PM
Sep 17

I will say though that in practice, it's really a LOT easier for any given individual to see a large reduction in score vs a large increase in score. Takes forever to boost it much, and a day to crush it by 50 points, or more.

The point about 2021 is good one though, I imagine a great many people used stimulus to pay down debt and hence increase their credit score.

Johnny2X2X

(23,537 posts)
6. One thing I have learned about DU
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 02:42 PM
Sep 17

Is that it's an older age group who by and large are more financially secure.

And it's pretty crazy how it all works. When I needed credit, I couldn't get any or at least couldn't get any with good terms. Now I don't need credit and they offer me it all the time.

And I hear from people talking about how important their credit rating is, when it's not as important as it's made out to be. Saving the money for a down payment on a home is much more difficult than getting the loan.

Greg_In_SF

(677 posts)
7. I don't
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:21 PM
Sep 17

get nearly as many credit card offers as I used to but I have noticed a huge increase in personal loan offers.

Johnny2X2X

(23,537 posts)
9. Home Depot and Lowe's cards
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:36 PM
Sep 17

I use those cards when I purchase something from those stores because the return and warranties are easier. Pay it off as soon as it posts a few days later.

I've never carried a monthly balance on either. So I was like, hmm, wonder what happens if I ask for a credit line increase. Sure enough, a card that I've never carried a balance on for longer than 5 days increased my limit from $10K to $25K. And the other one is $15K. So I've got $40K in credit at stores I'll never go into debt to. I don't need the credit, and I will never use it.

Had some other 0% interest card for some couch I bought, did the same thing, now I have $15K in credit at a furniture store I will never use. But I guess it helps my credit rating...which I don't really need because I'm locked into a sub 3% mortgage and I pay cash for cars.

Back when I was scraping by, I practically had to sell a kidney to get a $1000 limit.

ananda

(33,824 posts)
8. LOL at "might be in worse shape than headline numbers indicate"
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:31 PM
Sep 17

What a joke our media is.

Did anyone EVER think that Trump admin numbers would
be accurate?

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