The consumer debt load of Canadians rose to a record $1.42 trillion nationally at the end of 2013, according to a report from Equifax Canada.
That’s an increase of 4.5% from $1.36 trillion at the end of the third quarter.
Despite the increase, the national delinquency rate reached a new record low of 1.12%.
“The growing debt is an important indicator of the state of consumer financial health and should not be dismissed,” explains Regina Malina, director, modelling and analytics, with Equifax Canada. “But, for the most part, consumers and lenders continue to be responsible in how they’re using credit. In short, monthly payments are being made.”
Installment loans and credit card debt were the fastest segments of growing debt, increasing year over year by 11% and 5.9%, respectively.
On a regional basis, Quebec has the lowest delinquency rate (0.98%) on non-mortgage loans, while the eastern region has the highest rate (1.42%).
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