Card balances rose into year end, but spending did not spiral
According to the latest Fed G.19 data and PYMNTS Intelligence:
- Average monthly card balances rose by about $200 into December
- Households under financial strain saw larger increases, close to $600
- Visa, Mastercard, and American Express all reported continued volume growth
The takeaway is balance, not distress. Consumers are using revolving credit selectively as both a planning tool and a financial safety net, sustaining spending while navigating higher costs.
