Why is it so hard for Congress to deal with the national debt?

Apr 20, 2023
Reining in our debt amid the debt ceiling battle would require big — and painful — changes to government spending and taxation.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's terms for lifting the debt ceiling would limit discretionary spending, roll back some tax credits, end student loan forgiveness and repeal additional IRS funding, among other things.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Businesses and consumers are borrowing more, despite rising interest rates

Mar 1, 2023
Total loan balances rose from last quarter and year over year, according to the FDIC. There are good reasons to borrow now.
Some consumers are opting to use home equity loans to pay off credit card debt.
Damien Meyer/AFP via Getty Images

Corporations are still borrowing, despite high interest rates

Jan 5, 2023
Many companies are borrowing now — if they can — in a bid to get ahead of further rate hikes this year.
Some companies are borrowing now to build a rainy day fund heading into 2023.
Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty Images

It's a big week for earnings calls. Here's what Wall Street is listening for.

Oct 10, 2022
Reports from banks like JPMorgan and consumer companies like PepsiCo can reveal spending trends and signal what businesses see coming.
The Federal Reserve and much of Wall Street hope to see a dip in spending reflected in banks' quarterly earnings, which would signal that the Fed's rate hikes are working. 
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Schools' creditworthiness could be challenged by new costs, report says

Jun 16, 2022
Teachers demanding higher pay is one example of new costs. That could make it harder for schools to borrow money, a new report says.
For large investments, schools can turn to the debt markets to raise money. But they're also facing rising costs, which could hurt their ability to borrow.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

As consumer borrowing picks up, banks keep a wary eye on the possibility of more loan defaults

May 10, 2022
It isn't happening now, but that could change in the economy starts trending down.
The rise of consumer credit has banks on the lookout for whether or not consumers can pay their debt.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

People are finding it easier to borrow right now

Jun 15, 2021
That doesn't necessarily mean they're taking out more loans, but borrowing could pick up in some categories, such as auto loans.
ridvan_celik via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Treasury expects to borrow $3 trillion over next 3 months

That's almost triple what the Treasury borrowed in the 2019 accounting year.
The Treasury needs the money to pay for all of the new stimulus spending to keep the economy afloat during the COVID-19 crisis.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Americans are borrowing more, creating record debt

May 18, 2017
The New York Federal Reserve says Americans are borrowing again — everything from student loans to auto loans to mortgages. According to the New York Fed, household debt has reached a record high, even higher than the previous peak, during the credit bubble in 2008. The report’s findings don’t mean Americans have learned to be […]

Equifax's new credit program will take a deeper look at your payment history

Oct 4, 2016
Equifax CEO Richard Smith shares how the new method will work.
Equifax and Fannie Mae worked together on the new credit score program.
CafeCredit/Flickr