While the overall U.S. economy appears to be on an upward trajectory and stock markets are enjoying record returns, the news isn’t so rosy when it comes to Americans’ debt loads. According to the quarterly “Household Debt and Credit Report” released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in November 2017, both total household debt and credit card debt reached new peaks during the quarter, while delinquency rates continued to rise.

While the overall U.S. economy appears to be on an upward trajectory and stock markets are enjoying record returns, the news isn’t so rosy when it comes to Americans’ debt loads.

According to the quarterly “Household Debt and Credit Report” released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in November 2017, both total household debt and credit card debt reached new peaks during the quarter, while delinquency rates continued to rise.

Credit card balances increased by $24 billion over the third quarter 2017 to its highest level since 2009, while the aggregate credit card limit rose again by 1.5 percent in its 19th consecutive quarter of growth.

Knowing that outstanding balances are increasing, it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that credit card delinquency rates are also on the rise. According to the Fed’s report, the number of credit cards with balances that were more than 90 days past due continued to rise in the third quarter, marking a full year of noticeable growth in that delinquency indicator.

Demand for unsecured credit also continued to rise during the third quarter 2017, with increases both in credit inquiries and in the number of open credit card accounts, which are approaching numbers not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Charge-off rates are still relatively low, so lenders still appear to be comfortable continuing to extend credit.

So, although Americans’ 401(k) balances and other investments may be gaining ground, so are our unsecured debt loads. WalletHub recently estimated that Americans will close out the calendar year 2017 with more than $60 billion in new debt, leaving us owing an astonishing $1 trillion on credit cards.

It’s not all doom and gloom; there are a couple of slivers of good news in the Fed’s report and WalletHub’s study. First, credit scores rose during the quarter. Forbes reports that the average FICO score is in record high territory, at over 700. However, they are quick to point out that averages can be deceiving. These reports show an increase in the number of “prime” credit card customers, which can mask a corresponding increase in the number of “subprime” borrowers.

Another positive sign is that there was a slight improvement in the number of consumers whose credit reports were updated to add a bankruptcy notation during the third quarter of 2017. Still, for the month ending July 31, 2017 – the latest time period for which U.S. bankruptcy statistics are available, there were 61,410 nonbusiness bankruptcy filings.