A new study has found that consumers have increased their debt by 3.6% last year after increasing 8.6% in 2004. Over the same two-year period, minimum monthly payment obligations have increased by 10%. Experian's "National Score Index" also found that the number of late payments increased nearly 20% between 2004 and 2006. The "Index" is based upon a nationwide sampling of the million consumer credit profiles. The figures do not include mortgage debt.
| Feb 2004 | Feb 2005 | Feb 2006 |
| Avg Debt: | $10,371 | $11,261 | $11,669 |
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| Avg Payment: | $489 | $506 | $538 |
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| Avg Late Pay: | 0.78 | 0.88 | 0.93 |
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| Avg Inquiries: | 2.59 | 2.43 | 2.33 |
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| Avg Open Credit Cards: | 3.17 | 3.12 | 3.11 |
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| Source: Experian's National Score Index |
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