Americans' total credit-card balances reached a record $1.25 trillion in the first quarter of 2026. The figure marked an increase of nearly 6 percent from $1.18 trillion in the same quarter a year earlier, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The data showed that 13.12 percent of credit-card balances were at least 90 days delinquent during the period. This combination of rising totals and elevated late payments highlighted ongoing pressures on household finances.

The New York Fed tracks these figures through its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit. The latest release covered balances and payment performance through March 2026.

Credit-card debt has climbed steadily in recent years as consumers managed higher prices and borrowing costs. The latest numbers continued that trend with both the overall balance and the share in serious delinquency moving higher from the prior year.