Industry survey shows fewer consumer loans are being paid late as economic recovery takes hold

Survey: Fewer consumer loans are being paid late

WASHINGTON — A new industry survey shows late payments for most types of consumer loans decreased in the final quarter of last year.

Loans that were 30 days or more past due fell in proportion to overall loans in eight of 11 categories tracked by the American Bankers Association’s quarterly Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin. But housing-related loans showed mixed results — a sign that the housing market still lags the spreading economic recovery.

The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the survey, which is due to be released Wednesday.