More than 426,000 people now 'past due'

More than 426,000 people now 'past due'
Credit card demand up almost a quarter. (Image: Getty)
Brent Melville
Vehicle loan arrears were at 6% of all active accounts last month and up by an annual 31% to a three-year high, while personal loan payment arrears were up 17% year-on-year, according to the latest data from credit bureau Centrix.It puts total consumer arrears at 426,000 people, up 12,000 month-on-month, or 11.7% of the active credit population. Reflecting increased demand for short-term lending options, Centrix managing director Keith McLaughlin said credit card demand was up almost a quarter during August, while vehicle loan applications...

More Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs
Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs

Pharmac's fixed budget discourages use of cost-saving medicines common elsewhere.

No respite for the NZ dollar
Economy

No respite for the NZ dollar

Easing trade tensions isn’t helping the NZ dollar. 

Rebecca Howard 22 Oct 2025
RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks
Opinion

Andy Macdonald: RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks

The end result of the RBNZ’s capital review will be both revealing and fascinating.

Andy Macdonald 21 Oct 2025