James Chessen Growth Quotations

Continued strong economic growth and falling gas prices in the fourth quarter leaves me hopeful that delinquencies will continue to fall.

The rise in auto and other consumer loan delinquencies reflects the avalanche of layoffs over the past year and a half. Until job growth gains upward momentum, relatively high levels of delinquencies will remain.

With job growth strong over the last year and gas prices easing by year-end, the delinquency picture has brightened considerably.