Consumer credit scores generally remained stable throughout the first quarter, according to a new report from Credit Karma Inc., a San Francisco-based company whose Web site tracks credit scores.
Nationally, consumers maintained an average credit score of 669 from Jan. 1 through March 31, although scores varied in different regions. In Miami and Houston, consumers’ average credit scores rose five points through the first quarter, while Denver consumers’ scores rose four points. Seattle consumers’ average credit scores fell five points during the first quarter.
In March, the average consumer with an open credit account had $8,010 in credit card debt, down 3.2% from $8,280 in February.
Consumers in the Philadelphia area in March showed the largest decrease in credit card debt, paying down an average of 5% of their outstanding balances. Consumers in the New York City area added 6% to their credit card balances in March, the firm said.
“Credit card utilization and credit scores go hand in hand,” Ken Lin, Credit Karma CEO, said in a statement. “Despite the volatility in credit scores in much of 2009, credit scores appear to be stabilizing in 2010 as consumers maintain their finances and avoid adding additional debt.”
