Story perspectives

U.S. FICO Scores Plummet Amid Rising Student Loan Delinquencies

4/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The average U.S. FICO score fell to 715, the lowest since 2008, driven by student loan delinquencies.
In February 2025, 2.7 million borrowers reported delinquent loans, the first increase in five years.
Over 90-day delinquencies rose to 8.3%, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Some consumers improved credit utilization by paying off holiday debts, slightly mitigating the score decline.
Experts anticipate further declines in credit scores as more delinquencies emerge.

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Story summary

The average U.S. FICO score fell to 715, the lowest since 2008, driven by student loan delinquencies.
In February 2025, 2.7 million borrowers reported delinquent loans, the first increase in five years.
Over 90-day delinquencies rose to 8.3%, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Some consumers improved credit utilization by paying off holiday debts, slightly mitigating the score decline.
Experts anticipate further declines in credit scores as more delinquencies emerge.