TransUnion: Auto loan delinquencies down from a year ago

A week after TransUnion reported a jump in credit card delinquencies for the first time since 2009, the credit ratings firm reported a dip in late payments on auto loans. According to a report released Wednesday, the national auto loan delinquency rate decreased on a year-over-year basis for the eight-straight quarter for the July-September period, dropping from 0.58 percent to 0.47 percent. On a quarterly basis, however, the delinquency rate expanded from 0.44 percent in the April-June period to 0.47 percent in the third quarter. "Increases in third quarter delinquency rates from the quarter before have been the rule rather than the exception, even today. In fact, third quarter rates have consistently been greater than second quarter rates since 2000 -- primarily due to seasonal influences," said Peter Turek, automotive vice president at TransUnion's financial services business unit. Turek added that the number of new auto loans has continued an upward trend since the end of the downturn. This has been driven in large part by relaxed lending polices and credit decisions. However, a number of other recent reports have shown conditions will remain difficult for months to come.