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Credit card lending standards

Credit card lending standards is +4.0% net and has held roughly steady over the last 3 months. That is in its normal range: higher than 55% of readings since 2007.

Latest (latest reading)

+4.0% net

As of

Q4 2026

3-month change

−2.70 % pts

1-year change

−0.20 % pts

20-year percentile

55th

20-year median

+1.9% net

Monthly averages, last 20 years. Shaded band = the middle half of readings.

What it is. Net share of banks tightening credit card approvals; above zero means cards are harder to get. A higher reading means more credit stress in the Credit reading.

What it affects next

It is close to normal and not moving much, so there is no ripple to trace right now.

What is driving it

None of its tested drivers is moving much right now.

All tested links

Credit card lending standardsleadsCredit card delinquency rateData agrees
When banks cut off credit card access, stretched borrowers can't roll balances and more fall behind. Typical lag: 3-9 months. Strongest match 2 quarters later (correlation 0.60, 116 observations since 1997).
Credit card lending standardspressuresRetail salesData agrees
Tighter card approvals take spending power away from households. Typical lag: 0-6 months. Strongest match 1 quarter later (correlation -0.54, 118 observations since 1997).

Source: Federal Reserve Senior Loan Officer Survey via FRED (series DRTSCLCC).