With the total credit card debt amount rapidly approaching $1.2 trillion, many consumers are struggling to make ends meet. According to LendingTree, the average household in the United States owes $7,236 – a 38% increase from 2021. The average interest rate on credit cards currently is an ugly 24.26%. When you connect these stats with the fact that millions of Americans pay only the minimum payments each month, climbing out of debt seems nearly impossible for some in 2025. At least trying to do so on your own is.
Luckily, benefits like lower monthly payments and lower interest rates are available through Debt Management Programs. And thanks to record breaking savings at DebtWave in 2024, these benefits make it possible to achieve financial freedom.
Debt Management Plan Payment Reduction
Clients that enrolled onto DebtWave’s Debt Management Program (DMP) in 2024 merited an average payment reduction of $220. The average minimum payment plummeted from $915 to $695. This shatters the previous year’s record of a $193 payment reduction.
Lower Interest Rates
A big factor that made these savings possible are the attractive concessions offered by the credit card companies. In 2021, creditors wanted about 2.71% of the balance as the monthly payment to enter a DMP. In 2024, that percentage decreased to 2.54%. Additionally, payments on own increased from 2021 to 2024. Creditors required about 3.15% of the balance when making payments on their own in 2021. That percentage increased to 3.35% in 2024.
Credit card companies have been generous with interest rates on DMPs as well. In 2020, the average interest rate obtained on the DMP was 8.2%. In 2024, the average APR dropped to 6.8%, setting a new record at DebtWave. As payments on own increased in 2024, so did the interest rates on own. The average APR per client on own in 2024 peaked at 23%.
Average Debt Per Client Enrolled
The average balance enrolled per client soared in in the last two years. Another record high established in 2024 with the average surpassing $27,000. This is nearly double the amount of $15,799 in 2022.
Total Monthly Savings
When you combine the payment savings and the monthly finance charge savings, you have clients making significant progress to their principal balance. From 2020-2022, the average total combined monthly savings was less than $300. In 2024, the monthly savings nearly doubled to $596.
We expect and hope these incredible concessions to continue in 2025. For those facing high balances on their credit cards and experiencing a financial hardship, help is available. Taking the first step toward financial freedow is the most important step to take. Find more information about credit counseling and our program or get started online.