Consumer credit scores show slight decline amid rising debt

Recent consumer data indicates that credit scores are stabilizing, though they face downward pressure from shifting debt behaviors. According to FICO’s inaugural Credit Insights report, the average FICO score in 2026 is 715, representing a slight decrease from the previous year.

Several factors are driving these trends, including rising credit card balances and increased credit utilization. A report from BHG Financial, based on a sample of 2,012 working adults, found that 38% of consumers believe they are somewhat or very likely to miss a minimum debt payment within the next six months.

Data from FICO and TransUnion suggest that while credit scores are not collapsing, the environment is becoming more complex for both borrowers and lenders due to elevated utilization and stable but influential delinquency rates.