Credit card repayment rates fall

A new analysis of its credit card data for 2025 by global analytics software specialist FICO has found a fundamental shift in market dynamics from traditional cyclical patterns to clearer management of affordability challenges. The year was characterised by consumers struggling to manage existing debt levels, with average balances reaching record highs while payment rates fell.

The data shows a very clear picture of consumers actively curtailing expenditure due to persistent affordability pressures. Spend was consistently lower than in 2024, average balances were higher, and the percentage of overall balance paid dropped year-on-year.

From March 2025, as the cost of living increased, year-on-year spending declines persisted. Although it followed the expected seasonal patterns, with December reaching £831 and June peaking at £826, year-on-year these represented reductions compared to 2024.

However, whilst spending dropped, balances did not, further underlining affordability pressures felt by UK households. Starting from £1,849 in January (+4.6% YoY), balances reached an all-time high of £1,950 by December (+4.8% YoY), with sustained elevation throughout the year. The persistent growth, occurring alongside reduced spending, clearly demonstrates the impact of deteriorating payment behaviours.

2025 saw a deterioration in the percentage of overall balance paid, with every month falling below 2024 levels. Beginning at 36.3% in January (-3.4% YoY), payment rates declined throughout the year, reaching 33.4% in November (-7.4% YoY) before stabilising at 33.4% in December (-6.8% YoY)

The picture for missed payments also illustrates the juggling act many households faced throughout the year. Fewer accounts missed one payment than in 2024. However, the average balance for accounts missing one payment is higher than in 2024, and has been growing at a faster rate since May. This indicates that when customers experience early delinquency due to payment difficulties, they do so with substantially higher debt loads than previous cohorts. Average balances for accounts with one missed payment reached £2,440 by December, representing an 8.2% year-on-year increase.

The percentage of customers missing two and three payments has trended upwards since the middle of the year, and the average balance has also increased since 2024. Accounts with two missed payments peaked at £2,938 in November (+4.9% YoY), and those with three missed payments rose to £3,324 in December (+4.1% YoY).

Heading into 2026, with other economic indicators still illustrating financial pressures, pre-delinquency intervention strategies will be critical for lenders, with authorisation transaction approvals closely monitored as customers reach their limit.  Flexible payment options, affordability reviews, and balance management tools such as spending alerts and caps will help to prevent customers from accumulating high balances in early-stage delinquency.