Figures released this week show the debt delinquency rate in Alberta has risen by 14.7% since last year, bucking the national trend of more modest increases. credit-monitoring firm TransUnion Canada.
Credit-monitoring firm TransUnion Canada's second-quarter Industry Insights Report also says Albertans are carrying an average debt load of $27,583 — the highest in the country — compared to a national average of $21,580.
The report goes on to say Saskatchewan's average debt level is the second highest at $24,036. That province's 90-plus day delinquency rate has increased by 11.6% since the second quarter of 2015
Alberta's 90-plus day delinquency rate was 3.08 per cent while Saskatchewan's — the highest in the country — was 3.34%
Last summer, TransUnion predicted both provinces would face delinquency pressures this year and next because of falling oil prices.
Calgarians lead the country in debt levels, owing an average of $28,205 in non-mortgage loans.
TransUnion's report also suggests that despite strong credit activity in Ontario and British Columbia — with respective debt-load upticks of 3.1% and 2% — consumers in those provinces are in strong financial shape.
