2026 Forecast

The American Financial Services Association (AFSA), the country’s largest and oldest national consumer credit trade group, released its quarterly Consumer Credit Conditions (C3) Index, a survey of leading providers of consumer credit, including mortgages, vehicle financing, personal installment loans, and credit cards. Here’s what it said:

The American Bankers Association’s Economic Advisory Committee expects the U.S. economy to continue expanding through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. The committee’s latest forecast also expects inflation to remain above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target due in part to geopolitical events, including trade policy and the ongoing military action in the Middle East.

TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) released its 2026 credit originations forecast, highlighting continued momentum in originations for mortgages as well as for unsecured personal loans.

Usherpa reported that the fourth quarter of 2025 is shaping up to be the best period, from a new customer perspective, that the company has seen in over a year. Lenders are starting to sense that the industry may be returning to normal after more than three years of reduced activity.

TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) released its 2026 Consumer Credit Forecast, projecting credit card balances to grow 2.3% year over year (YoY)—the smallest annual increase since 2013, excluding 2020 when pandemic relief programs caused a decline. This moderation reflects consumers navigating persistent economic uncertainty as lenders maintain disciplined underwriting standards.

Mortgage lenders and their technology partners are entering a pivotal moment as market conditions begin to shift, according to STRATMOR Group’s latest Insights Report. In the featured article, “Cultivating What’s Next: Preparing for Growth in 2026,” STRATMOR advisors outline how lenders can strengthen foundational operations, improve partnerships, and modernize their operating models to prepare for improving volume and rapidly maturing technology.

As lenders continue to navigate a shifting housing market marked by volatility, margin pressure and rapid technological change, The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) is doubling down on what it believes is the industry’s greatest strength: connection.

The MBA announced that total single-family mortgage origination volume is expected to increase to $2.2 trillion in 2026 from $2.0 trillion expected in 2025.