January 12-14

UConference26 - Scottsdale, AZ

January 14-18

National Credit Union Supervisory Committee Conference - San Juan, Puerto Rico

January 26-27

Wisconsin Credit Union League State GAC - Madison, WI

January 27-28

America's Credit Unions: Board of Directors Conference - St. Pete Beach, FL

Car Payments Now Average More Than $750 a Month. Enter the 100-Month Car Loan

The price of new vehicles in the U.S. has climbed significantly in recent years, rising 33% since 2020 and pushing the average new-car price above $50,000. As sticker prices increased, so did monthly payments, which now average around $760. With fewer new vehicles available under $30,000, many consumers are finding it harder to afford traditional loan terms and are feeling increased pressure on household budgets.

To manage higher costs, buyers are increasingly turning to longer auto loan terms. Loans of 72 months or more are becoming common, with some stretching eight years or longer. While these extended terms can reduce monthly payments, they also result in borrowers paying substantially more interest over time. Industry experts caution that focusing solely on monthly payment amounts can mask the true cost of vehicle ownership, making it important for borrowers to consider the long-term financial impact when choosing loan terms.

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wsj.com

Rising Home Insurance Costs Push Housing Finance to a Breaking Point

The U.S. home insurance system is under growing strain as climate-related losses increase, creating misaligned risks among three key stakeholders: homeowners, lenders, and insurers. Homeowners face rising premiums and coverage challenges, lenders depend on insurance to protect collateral over long-term mortgages, and insurers operate on short, annual timeframes that allow them to exit high-risk markets. As climate risk intensifies, this imbalance leaves gaps where homes may become uninsured, values decline, and neither lenders nor insurers are positioned to step in and repair damaged properties.

Experts warn that without collaboration or structural reform, the system risks breaking down further. Rising insurance costs could force home prices lower in high-risk areas, strain local tax bases, and increase defaults and foreclosures. Industry leaders emphasize the need for longer-term, community-based solutions, improved climate-risk forecasting, and greater transparency in total homeownership costs. Without changes to how risk is priced and shared, homeowners are likely to shoulder the greatest burden, signaling that the housing finance and insurance model may be approaching a tipping point.

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forbes.com