Just caught some sobering numbers from the banking sector. Citigroup's latest report shows credit card charge-offs hitting 2.51% in December 2025, with delinquency rates at 1.42%. These figures tell an interesting story about consumer financial health.

When charge-off rates climb like this, it typically signals mounting pressure on household finances. People are struggling to keep up with payments, which usually happens when economic headwinds pick up. The delinquency number—still relatively moderate at 1.42%—suggests things haven't spiraled yet, but the trend is worth watching.

For those tracking macro cycles and market conditions, this kind of traditional finance data matters. It reflects consumer confidence, credit availability, and overall economic momentum. When traditional credit systems start showing stress, it often precedes broader market adjustments. Keep an eye on how these metrics evolve in coming months—they're a real-world gauge of where economies are headed.