Business Wire·Jun 24, 2026, 4:00 AM ET

FICO UK Credit Card Market Report: April 2026

UK credit card spending rose 10% month-on-month in April 2026 to an average of £815, driven by seasonal Easter demand.
Average active balances increased 1.3% to £1,950, matching the record high reached in December 2025.
The percentage of balances paid decreased 1.4% month-on-month to 32.6%, continuing a downward trend since 2025.
Late payments increased year-on-year, with the proportion of customers missing three payments rising 17.3% annually.
Accounts with two missed payments grew 16.3% year-on-year, while accounts with one missed payment remained 4.9% higher than in 2025.
Overlimit accounts surged 14.1% month-on-month 4.6% year-on-year, indicating weakened consumer affordability.
Persistent inflation 4 volatile global energy prices are identified as primary drivers for increased household budget strain 4 rising debt levels.
Average balances for accounts with missed payments are higher across all delinquency categories compared to the same period in 2025.
Risk managers are advised to implement proactive pre-delinquency interventions 4 enhanced monitoring due to anticipated summer spending pressures.