TransUnion data shows that 1.8 million adults maintain active credit in Puerto Rico, while the island’s average credit score reached 712 and delinquency rates across several financial products remain below 2018 levels.
Puerto Rico’s credit market is showing signs of resilience despite a decade marked by hurricanes, earthquakes, the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and a rising cost of living, according to new data presented by the Puerto Rico Bankers Association and TransUnion.
The findings were presented during the conference “Presentation of the Puerto Rican Consumer Credit Profile,” led by Rodney Curbelo, general manager of TransUnion in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
According to TransUnion’s U.S. consumer credit database, approximately 2.1 million adults with a Puerto Rico address are on file, while about 1.8 million are credit-active consumers.
TransUnion’s data is compiled from more than 700 data providers across credit, utilities, addresses, fraud prevention and other categories.
The findings provide a snapshot of Puerto Rican consumers’ financial behavior and illustrate how economic, demographic and regional factors are reshaping credit demand across the island.
Puerto Rico Consumers Show Resilience
The past decade has placed significant economic pressure on Puerto Rico households.
Hurricane Maria, earthquakes, the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, inflation and geopolitical tensions have directly affected the prices of food, fuel and other essential goods, according to the data presented.
Despite those challenges, TransUnion data shows lower delinquency rates across several major credit products when comparing January 2018 with June 2026.
For auto loans, delinquency declined from 3.2% to 1.8%, while credit card delinquency decreased from 1.0% to 0.7%.
For personal loans, the rate dropped from 2.0% to 1.1%. Delinquency on personal loans issued by credit unions decreased from 4.1% to 2.3%, while mortgage delinquency declined from 3.7% to 2.0%.
The figures point to Puerto Rican consumers’ ability to adjust to multiple economic and natural disruptions over the past several years.
An Aging Population Is Reshaping the Credit Market
One of the key factors financial institutions will need to continue monitoring is Puerto Rico’s demographic shift.
Consumers 65 and older account for 30% of Puerto Rico’s credit-active population, the largest share among all age groups.
They are followed by consumers ages 46 to 55 at 18%; those ages 56 to 64 and 36 to 45, both at 16%; consumers ages 26 to 35 at 14%; and those under 26 at 7%.
The composition of financial products also varies significantly by age.
Among consumers 65 and older, mortgages represent 58% of their active credit products, while auto loans account for 24%.
Among consumers approximately 25 to 36 years old, mortgages represent 40%, auto loans 31% and student loans 17%.
Student loans are also regaining relevance within consumer credit profiles following the end of payment moratoriums, meaning payment activity is once again being reflected in consumers’ credit reports.
Puerto Rico’s Average Credit Score Reaches 712
Another key indicator highlighted during the presentation was the performance of VantageScore 3.0, a credit scoring model used to assess consumer credit risk.
Puerto Rico’s average credit score reached 712 in June 2026, up from 707 in June 2025.
According to the categories presented by TransUnion, consumers are classified as Subprime from 300 to 600, Near Prime from 601 to 660, Prime from 661 to 720, Prime Plus from 721 to 780, and Super Prime from 781 to 850.
In Puerto Rico, 13% of consumers fall within the Subprime category, 16% are Near Prime, 21% are Prime, 28% are Prime Plus and 22% are Super Prime.
That means half of Puerto Rico’s consumers currently fall within the Prime Plus or Super Prime categories, creating both opportunities and challenges for financial institutions competing for consumers with stronger credit profiles.
Payment history is the most significant factor influencing a consumer’s score, accounting for 40%, followed by age and type of credit at 21%, credit utilization at 20%, total balances at 11%, recent credit activity at 5% and available credit at 3%.
Aguadilla Leads Puerto Rico in Average Credit Score
The data also underscores that Puerto Rico should not be viewed as a single, uniform credit market.
TransUnion divides the island into seven regions to analyze consumer credit behavior.
Aguadilla recorded the highest average score at 716, followed by Mayagüez at 708, San Juan at 705, Arecibo at 704, Utuado at 700, Ponce at 698 and Fajardo at 697.
Aguadilla and Mayagüez continue to lead the island with the highest average VantageScores.
Regional differences also extend to the types of financial products consumers seek.
For example, the data shows stronger demand for personal loans in Utuado, while San Juan has significant demand for auto financing products.
For banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, these differences create opportunities to develop strategies tailored to the characteristics of individual markets rather than approaching Puerto Rico as a homogeneous consumer base.
Credit Card Use Increases
Credit cards remain one of the most influential products within Puerto Rico’s consumer credit profile.
Puerto Rican consumers maintain an average of approximately two active credit cards, compared with roughly three in the United States.
Consumers on the island also currently have an average of 3.5 active accounts on their credit reports, compared with approximately 2.6 accounts in previous years.
The median bankcard balance presented during the conference stood at approximately $1,765.23.
As of June 2026, 56% of cardholders were classified as “revolvers,” meaning they carried balances, while 44% were classified as “transactors.”
The increase in the share of consumers carrying balances points to greater utilization of available credit.
Vehicle Prices Put Pressure on Auto Financing
The automotive sector remains one of the most significant components of Puerto Rico’s credit market.
However, elevated vehicle prices and affordability challenges have contributed to a general decline in auto loan originations, although a slight increase was observed during the most recent quarter.
Consumers are also increasingly turning to longer-term auto loans, particularly those ranging from 73 to 84 months, as they seek to manage monthly payments amid higher vehicle costs.
1.8 Million Puerto Rico Consumers Remain Credit Active
Puerto Rico continues to have approximately 1.8 million credit-active consumers, providing a significant market for banks, credit unions, auto lenders and other financial services providers.
At the same time, an aging population, increased use of revolving credit, longer auto loan terms and significant regional differences are creating new challenges for financial institutions.
The data also takes on added relevance amid growing interest from investors and business partners in Puerto Rico, providing a more detailed picture of consumers’ purchasing power, financial behavior and access to credit.
For the financial sector, one of the key takeaways is that Puerto Rico cannot be approached as a single market.
Differences among San Juan, Ponce, Fajardo, Aguadilla, Mayagüez, Arecibo and Utuado create opportunities for banks and financial institutions to develop more targeted credit strategies, products and financial services based on the characteristics and needs of consumers in each region.
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