Business

Consumer debt climbs as American credit card balances surpass $1 trillion on August 7, 2023 at 9:25 pm Business News | The Hill

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2023

Consumer debt grew $17.9 billion from May to June as a credit crunch brought on by Federal Reserve rate hikes drove a sharp gain in the amount of outstanding credit for payments like mortgages and car loans.

The numbers, which are not adjusted for inflation, come in well ahead of expectations at $13 billion and nearly double the increase from the previous month at $9.4 billion.

Debt levels on lump-sum purchases like houses and student loans increased $18.4 billion, offset by a 0.6 percent decrease in the amount of “revolving” credit, which includes things like credit cards and lines of credit.

‘It’s just gonna get paid when it gets paid’: Balance-carrying cardholders crunched by Fed rate hikes

The dip in revolving credit is catching the eye of economists.

“This is surprising and inconsistent with other data we have on consumer spending in the month,” economist Dean Baker with the Center for Economic and Policy Research told The Hill.

“These data are erratic and often subject to substantial revisions, but if we see another drop in July, that would indicate that some consumers are getting maxed out, and we may be in for a substantial slowing in consumption in the second half of the year,” Baker said.

Overall, Baker said, “the second quarter data shows modest credit growth. It fits with the story of consumption growing at a sustainable pace.”

A customer uses an ATM at a Bank of America location in San Francisco April 24, 2023. Bank of America is being ordered to pay more than $100 million to customers for double-dipping on some fees imposed on customers, withholding reward bonuses explicitly promised to credit card customers, and misappropriating sensitive personal information to open accounts without customer knowledge or authorization. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Credit card debt hits $1 trillion for US consumers

Despite the month-over-month decline in revolving credit, credit card debt weighing on U.S. consumers is at an all-time high of more than $1 trillion.

After rising steadily over the last decade, credit card debt levels started easing up in March, 2020, when the government started sending out checks to help households weather the coronavirus pandemic.

They fell by more than $100 billion over the following year, dropping to $736 billion in April, 2021. But then they started rising sharply once again during the booming recovery and are now above their pre-pandemic trend.

Secret spending: Americans are hiding their credit card debt

Total credit card debt is 11.6 percent higher than it was last year, down from a recent high of 18.4 percent last September.

As a share of disposable income, debt service payments are about where they were before the pandemic, hitting 5.7 percent in the first quarter of this year.

Credit card interest rates, along with mortgage rates and other types of financing that rely on charging interest, have been skyrocketing as the Federal Reserve has been raising the rate at which banks can lend each other money.

The average commercial bank interest rate on credit card plans is now above 20 percent, up from just 14.5 percent in February of last year, before the Fed started slowing the economy in response to higher inflation.

That’s the highest level on record for a payment method that is traditionally one of the most expensive ways for consumers to purchase goods and services.

While many measurements of the macroeconomy look healthy at the moment, with second-quarter gross domestic product doing better than expected and inflation dropping fast, it’s not clear that these conditions are extending beyond businesses and improving things for workers and consumers.

Most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck

A recent poll by Lending Club found that a majority of Americans say they are living “paycheck to paycheck.”

“In May 2023, 57 percent of consumers lived paycheck to paycheck,” the poll found.

More than 72 percent of people making less than $50,000 a year live “paycheck to paycheck” while 60.9 percent of people making between $50,000 and $100,000 annually live that way, according to the poll.

Census Bureau data shows that 85.4 million Americans used credit cards to pay their expenses in the last seven days.

The tab is ticking up: Americans owe $1 trillion in credit card debt

Solei Phim, a New York city resident, told The Hill her credit card use has been going up recently for regular expenses including food and laundry. She said she tries to pay her balance off every month so as not to incur interest payments.

“We keep it for the [end of the] month. We try to keep [expenses] within the month and try not to make it past that, but we are using it more frequently,” she said.

Phim added that she put the government stimulus checks she received from both the Trump and Biden administrations over the course of the pandemic into her family’s savings.

Many Americans did the same, leading to a surge in personal savings that gave workers some additional flexibility and likely contributed to high levels of churn in the job market.

Business, News, consumer credit, credit, credit cards, federal reserve Consumer debt grew $17.9 billion from May to June as a credit crunch brought on by Federal Reserve rate hikes drove a sharp gain in the amount of outstanding credit for payments like mortgages and car loans. The numbers, which are not adjusted for inflation, come in well ahead of expectations at $13 billion and…

Business

When TikTok and CapCut Vanished from America

Published

3 weeks ago

January 19, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

In a shocking turn of events, TikTok and CapCut, two of America’s most popular social media and video editing apps, vanished from U.S. app stores and became inaccessible to users on Saturday evening, January 18, 2025. This unprecedented digital blackout affected approximately 170 million American users, leaving them stunned and searching for alternatives.

The Sudden Shutdown

As the clock struck 10:50 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, both TikTok and CapCut disappeared from Apple and Google app stores. Users attempting to access the apps were greeted with a stark message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now”.

The ban wasn’t limited to just TikTok and CapCut. Other ByteDance-owned apps, including Lemon8, Hypic, and Gauth, also became unavailable to U.S. users. This sweeping action effectively cut off access to a suite of popular digital tools that millions had come to rely on for entertainment, content creation, and even business purposes.

The Legal Battle

The shutdown came after a tumultuous legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court decision upholding a federal law requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok and CapCut, to either sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. The legislation, passed in April 2024, cited national security concerns related to data privacy and potential foreign influence.

Impact on Users and Creators

The sudden disappearance of TikTok and CapCut has left content creators and everyday users in a state of digital limbo. Many relied on these platforms not just for entertainment, but as essential tools for their livelihoods and creative expression. The ban has disrupted a thriving ecosystem of digital content creation, leaving millions to scramble for alternative platforms and editing tools.

Political Implications and Future Uncertainties

As the dust settles, all eyes are on the incoming administration. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20, has hinted at a potential 90-day extension for ByteDance to sell TikTok. This development has injected a new layer of uncertainty into an already complex situation.

What’s Next?

While the apps remain inaccessible, ByteDance and TikTok officials continue to work towards a resolution. TikTok’s message to users ends on a hopeful note, stating, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned”.

As America grapples with this digital void, questions about data privacy, national security, and the future of social media regulation loom large. The TikTok and CapCut ban marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the influence of foreign-owned technology companies in the United States, with far-reaching implications for users, creators, and the tech industry as a whole.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life.

Business

TikTok Ban Drives 216% Rise in U.S. Users Learning Chinese on Duolingo

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Duolingo has reported a remarkable 216% increase in U.S. users learning Mandarin Chinese, coinciding with the impending ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This surge is attributed to many TikTok users migrating to a new Chinese social media platform called RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), which defaults to Mandarin as its primary language. As TikTok users seek alternatives amidst concerns over data privacy and app availability, they are turning to RedNote, prompting a cultural exchange that has driven interest in learning Chinese.

The spike in Mandarin learners began around mid-January, aligning with the growing popularity of RedNote among former TikTok users. Duolingo’s marketing team has actively engaged with this trend on social media, humorously acknowledging the phenomenon with posts like “Learning Mandarin out of spite? You’re not alone”.

Additionally, Duolingo has seen a 36% increase in downloads in the U.S., reflecting heightened consumer demand for language learning resources as users adapt to the new social media landscape.

The transition from TikTok to RedNote has not been without challenges, as some users have encountered technical issues during registration and account suspensions.

Nevertheless, this shift underscores a significant demand for social networking experiences that resonate with American users while navigating the complexities of Chinese platforms.

Business

TikTok’s Final Countdown: The Sunday Shutdown

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

As the clock ticks down to January 19, 2025, TikTok users in the United States are bracing for a significant disruption. The app, which boasts approximately 170 million users in the country, faces a potential ban that could render it non-functional by this Sunday. Here’s what you need to know about the impending ban and its implications.

Key Details of the Ban

The anticipated ban comes amid ongoing national security concerns regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership. Government officials have raised alarms about the possibility of sensitive user data being accessed by Chinese authorities. As a result, the app is expected to be removed from digital app stores, effectively cutting off new downloads and updates.

What Will Happen?

Removal from App Stores: On January 19, TikTok will likely be taken down from platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Existing Users Affected: Current users may find that their app becomes non-functional, losing access to new content creation and updates.
Data Preservation Challenges: Users may face difficulties in preserving their data and content as the deadline approaches.

Recommendations for Users

In light of the impending ban, TikTok users should take proactive steps to safeguard their content and data:

Download Personal Data: Users can access their TikTok settings to download their data before it’s too late.
Export Saved Videos: Save any cherished videos or content that you wish to keep.
Backup Content: Consider backing up your videos on alternative platforms.
Explore Alternatives: As TikTok faces its potential shutdown, consider migrating to other platforms such as:

Instagram Reels
YouTube Shorts
Lemon8
Triller

Potential Scenarios

While the ban is set for this Sunday, there are several scenarios that could unfold in the coming days:

Last-Minute Legal Intervention: There remains a possibility of a legal challenge that could delay or halt the ban.
Temporary Injunction: Courts may issue a temporary injunction allowing TikTok to operate while legal proceedings continue.
Complete Shutdown: If no intervention occurs, users will face a complete shutdown of the platform in the U.S. market.

Emotional Impact on Users

The potential ban is not just a technical disruption; it carries significant emotional weight for many users. Content creators who have built their brands on TikTok may experience economic repercussions as they lose a primary platform for engagement. Additionally, the shift could lead to broader changes in the social media landscape as users seek new avenues for expression and connection.

Conclusion

As we approach this critical deadline, TikTok users should remain vigilant and prepared for possible changes. Whether through legal maneuvers or a complete shutdown, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for real-time updates as we navigate this evolving situation together.