Highest loan delinquency rate since 1992

Loan delinquency rate of U.S. banks stood at 4.6 percent in the last quarter 2008. That's the highest delinquency rate since 1992 in the aftermath of the savings & loan crisis. The seasonally adjusted delinquency rate rose from 3.7 percent in the third quarter 2008. A year ago, the delinquency rate was 2.4 percent.

The delinquency rate for residential real estate spiked up to a record 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter from 5.2 percent in the third quarter and 3 percent a year earlier. Delinquencies for commercial real estate loans increased to 5.4 percent in the fourth quarter from 4.7 percent in the third, and double the rate a year earlier.

Consumer credit card delinquencies jumped to a record 5.6 percent from 4.8 percent in the third quarter.

Banks charged off a record $35.5 billion in the fourth quarter 2008, up from $24.2 billion in the third quarter and $13.9 billion in the fourth quarter a year earlier. The charge-off rate increased to 1.9 percent from 1.5 percent in the third quarter.