Credit scores are dropping rapidly. [View all]

[lostincalifornia]

"For more than a decade, Americans watched their credit scores climb steadily upward, a reassuring sign of improving financial health following the Great Recession. However, it appears the streak has come to an abrupt end. The national average credit score has officially dropped for two consecutive years, falling from 718 in 2023 to 717 in 2024, and it now sits at 715 in 2025, according to new data from FICO, the company behind the credit scores most widely used by lenders.

While a few points might seem insignificant, this credit score reversal marks a concerning shift after years of progress. What's particularly alarming isn't just the decline itself, but what's driving it: Americans are drowning in debt at levels that suggest the economy might be in worse shape than headline numbers indicate. For example, delinquency rates across multiple types of loans have reached heights not seen since the depths of the 2009 financial crisis.

That's not the only issue that's contributing to the rapid decline in credit scores, either. So, if you've seen your credit score dip recently, here's what else could be driving it — and what you can do to get your credit (and your finances) back on track.

...........

Generation Z appears to be bearing the brunt of this credit crisis. About 14% of Gen Z borrowers experienced dramatic credit score drops of 50 points or more over the past year, according to the FICO data, which is double the rate seen in 2021 and also represents a higher drop than any other generation. These young adults, many of whom are entering their peak earning years, are instead finding themselves financially underwater, potentially setting back their ability to buy homes, secure favorable loan terms or even qualify for certain jobs that require credit checks."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/credit-scores-dropping-rapidly-heres-why-what-to-do-about-it/