Delinquent loan rate increases

More Americans have fallen behind on consumer loans than at any time in nearly 16 years as credit problems once concentrated in mortgages spread into other forms of debt.

In a quarterly study, the American Bankers Assn. said the percentage of loans at least 30 days past due rose to 2.65% in the fourth quarter from 2.44% in the third quarter and from 2.23% a year earlier.

The rate of delinquencies was the highest since a 2.75% rate in the first quarter of 1992.

Late payments on “indirect” auto loans, which are made through dealerships, totaled 3.13%, the highest on record. Delinquencies on direct auto loans rose to 1.90%.

Credit and debit card delinquencies rose to 4.38% from the third quarter’s 4.18%, after four straight quarterly declines.

Housing wasn’t spared. Delinquencies on home equity loans rose to a 2 1/2 -year high of 2.39%, while late payments on home equity lines of credit rose to 0.96%, a level last seen in the fourth quarter of 1997.