Credit card defaults fall, but delinquencies up

updated 11:19 a.m. ET Nov. 16, 2009

NEW YORK - Credit card defaults fell more than expected in October, but delinquencies rose in a sign that consumers remain under stress and the sector can expect more pain ahead, credit card companies reported on Monday.

The drop in defaults reflects a decline in late payments earlier this year thanks to tax refunds and economic stimulus actions.

But delinquencies, an indicator of future credit losses, rose across the board as more Americans lost their jobs. Capital One Financial Corp and JPMorgan Chase & Co reported the biggest increases in late payments.

"We view this month's numbers as a sign that credit could be coming under greater stress," Barclays Capital analyst Bruce Harting wrote in a note to clients.

Credit card charge-offs and delinquencies usually track unemployment, which rose to a 26-year high of 10.2 percent in October.

Bank of America Corp the largest U.S. bank, said in a regulatory filing that its charge-off rate -- loans the company does not expect to be repaid -- fell to 13.22 percent in October from 14.25 percent in September.

Despite the decline in charge-offs, Bank of America is still the credit card issuer with higher defaults and delinquencies.

JPMorgan, the largest issuer of Visa-branded credit cards, said its charge-off rate declined to 8.02 percent from 8.12 percent, while Capital One's fell to 9.04 percent from 9.77 percent.

Discover Financial Services said its charge-off rate declined to 8.54 percent from 8.69 percent.

"We believe that credit losses will rise in the coming months and should remain elevated in 2010, thereby pressuring earnings," Credit Suisse analyst Moshe Orenbuch wrote in a note to clients.

More trouble ahead?
Capital One said delinquencies rose to 5.72 percent in October from 5.38 percent in September, while JPMorgan's late payments rose to 4.95 percent from 4.69 percent.

Last week, Capital One Chief Executive Richard Fairbank forecast that charge-offs will keep rising and remain elevated throughout 2010, hurt by weakness in the housing market and job losses.

Bank of America's delinquency rate inched up to 7.59 percent from 7.53 percent, and Discover's rose to 5.72 percent from 5.57 percent.

As card losses rose to record highs in recent months, lenders closed millions of accounts, trimmed credit limits and slashed rewards. The companies are also raising fees and interest rates ahead of a new consumer-protection law.

American Express Co, the biggest credit card issuer by purchases, and Citigroup Inc, the largest issuer of MasterCard-branded credit cards, are also due to report the monthly performance of their credit card portfolios on Monday.

Discover shares rose 3.05 percent to $15.87, Bank of America stock was up 1.25 percent to $16.18, Capital One gained 1.01 percent to $39.19, and JPMorgan was up 0.23 percent to $43.00.

Also in msnbc.com business Answer Desk: Repairing your credit rating Your Career: More and meaner gossip at work Blacks fear path to middle is class blocked High black unemployment may linger after downturn   Video: Las Vegas’ big gamble

MORE FROM PERSONAL FINANCE

Personal finance Section Front

Answer Desk: Repairing consumer credit  New $100B safety net for jobless in works Congress scrambles to extend estate tax Answer Desk: Repairing consumer credit  Auto loan delinquency rate edges higher Jobless face expiration of health benefit Cutting back is hard, cutting gift list is harder Newsweek: Delaying retirement to support the kids Holidays pose challenges for the jobless Save on shopping — without being a Scrooge Personal finance Section Front   Add Personal finance headlines to your news reader: