State of Student Loans

Consumers have powered the U.S. economy through repeated shocks, but new pressures are testing their resilience. As energy prices rise and economic conditions shift, the outlook is becoming more uncertain.

• Labor market strength is weakening
• Income and wage growth are slowing
• High equity exposure increases risk

Download the latest Alternative Financial Services Trend Report to reveal new insights on growth and risk, including:

• Loan volume is up 21% YoY across installment and single pay products
• Installment bad rates declined 6.8% YoY
• Returning borrowers grew 26.5% YoY in RTO/LTO

Gain a clearer view of how consumers earn, spend, and manage their money in today’s evolving economic landscape. In this webinar, Experian experts break down the financial behaviors shaping demand, risk, and growth—using macroeconomic trends, credit data, and transaction-level cash flow insights.

• Key trends in spending, income stability, and cash flow
• What credit and cash flow signals reveal about your customers
• How to apply these insights to marketing, risk, and growth strategies 

The consumer credit market entered 2026 on stable footing, but rising uncertainty - from geopolitical conflict, energy costs, and interest rates - is reshaping the outlook for lenders and consumers alike. Explore what’s changing and what it means for your strategy.

• Delinquencies stabilizing, standards easing
  
• Rising costs pressuring consumer affordability
  
• New risks shaping lending growth outlook