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Loan Delinquency Hits Multi‑Decade High in Argentina

Private estimates put family delinquencies at 12.7 percent for May driven by young borrowers and very high defaults at non‑bank lenders.

Overview

  • Private consultancy analysis of the central deudores database shows delinquency rose again in May, marking the 19th consecutive monthly increase and a rise from about 2.5% in October 2024 to 12.7% for households.
  • Nearly 40 percent of borrowers under 35 now have at least one loan 90 or more days past due, with the worst rates concentrated in personal loans and cards.
  • Non‑financial lenders such as retailer cards reported roughly 32.2 percent delinquency in May, a sharp jump from under 10 percent a year and a half ago and a major driver of the overall deterioration.
  • Public banks helped limit a deeper credit contraction while private banks sharply cut new lending, leaving total loan balances too weak to dilute the growing stock of bad loans.
  • The BCRA will publish official May figures at the end of July, officials have said Q2 might be a peak, and analysts say June and July cash flows will be decisive for whether delinquencies begin to ease before next year’s elections.