Overview
- The Banco Central de la República Argentina reported that household delinquencies reached 12.8% in May 2026, the highest level in over 20 years, and the aggregate private‑sector irregularity stood near 7.6–7.7%.
- An analysis from CEPA found defaults at non‑bank lenders and digital wallets jumped to about 29.6% by May, leaving roughly 3.4 million people delinquent only with those providers.
- The deterioration is concentrated in consumption credit: personal loans showed irregularity near 15–16% while credit‑card arrears were around 13%, together accounting for the bulk of troubled balances.
- Banks and the central bank argue system buffers limit immediate spillovers, with provisions covering about 86.3% of irregular loans and regulatory capital near 30.7%, but analysts warn those cushions do not solve the underlying income squeeze.
- Households now spend far more on debt service — measured at about 24.1% of formal wages in April — which, together with high real interest rates, is hitting young borrowers, certain provinces and consumption‑dependent sectors and shaping policy debates on regulation and social support.