NEW YORK, June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Data through May 2016, released today by S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian for the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices, a comprehensive measure of changes in consumer credit defaults, shows a composite rate of 0.81% in May, down five basis points from the previous month. First mortgage defaults reported a 0.63% default rate for May, down six basis points from the prior month. Auto loan defaults recorded a 0.92% default rate, down five basis points from April. The bank card default rate increased two basis points in May, recording a default rate of 3.11%.

Four of the five major cities saw their overall default rates decrease during the month of May. New York recorded a default rate of 0.89%, down 12 basis points for the month. Dallas reported a default rate of 0.69%, down seven basis points from April. Chicago's default rate decreased five basis points from the prior month, posting a default rate of 0.98%. Los Angeles reported a default rate of 0.67%, down four basis points for May. Miami's default rate increased for the third consecutive month, up six basis points with a default rate of 1.27%.

"Overall the consumers' credit picture is very good," says David M. Blitzer, Managing Director and Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. "Consumer credit default rates continue at the lowest levels in more than 10 years and well below those seen before the financial crisis. These positive developments are supported by continued gains in the economy: an unemployment rate under 5%, combined with increases in incomes and wages and stable prices. Debt service ratios remain close to record lows, while outstanding consumer credit and mortgage debt have risen modestly this year.

One area worth following is the default rate on bank cards. Between December 2015 and May 2016 (this report) the default rate on bank cards rose from 2.5% to 3.1%; it is up in the last three months, while the default rates on the other sectors followed here are down. The current level of bank card defaults is quite low; however the upward trend stands out compared to the other data series."

The table below summarizes the May 2016 results for the S&P/Experian Credit Default Indices. These data are not seasonally adjusted and are not subject to revision.

The table below provides the S&P/Experian Consumer Default Composite Indices for the five MSAs:

For more information about S&P Dow Jones Indices, please visit www.spdji.com.

ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than based on any other provider in the world. With over 1,000,000 indices and more than 120 years of experience constructing innovative and transparent solutions, S&P Dow Jones Indices defines the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spdji.com.

About Experian

We are the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to our clients around the world. We help businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. We also help people to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft. In 2015, we were named   one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Forbes magazine.

We employ approximately 17,000 people in 37 countries and our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2016, was US$4.6 billion.

To find out more about our company, please visit http://www.experianplc.com or watch our documentary, "Inside Experian."

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

David Blitzer
Managing Director and Chairman of Index Committee
New York, USA
(+1) 212 438 3907
david.blitzer@spglobal.com

Soogyung Jordan
Global Head of Communications
New York, USA
(+1) 212 438 2297
soogyung.jordan@spglobal.com

Matt Tatham
Experian Public Relations
917 446 7227
matt.tatham@experian.com

Jointly developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and Experian, the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices are published on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am ET. They are constructed to track the default experience of consumer balances in four key loan categories: auto, bankcard, first mortgage lien and second mortgage lien. The Indices are calculated based on data extracted from Experian's consumer credit database. This database is populated with individual consumer loan and payment data submitted by lenders to Experian every month. Experian's base of data contributors includes leading banks and mortgage companies, and covers approximately $11 trillion in outstanding loans sourced from 11,500 lenders.

For more information, please visit: www.consumercreditindices.standardandpoors.com .

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices