Record Surge in Past-Due Student Loans Adds to US Debt Burden.

The article focuses on the rising levels of serious delinquency in US consumer debt, particularly highlighting a significant increase in past-due student-loan debt. In the second quarter of 2025, 3% of consumer debt was at least 90 days delinquent, with student-loan delinquencies reaching 12.9%, the highest in 21 years. The report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicates that overall household debt rose to $18.4 trillion, reflecting a 30% increase since the pandemic began. While delinquencies for mortgages and home equity lines of credit have also risen slightly, credit card and auto loan delinquencies have remained stable. The article notes that Fed officials are monitoring these trends closely, as they could impact consumer spending and the broader economy. [Extracted from the article]