Consumer credit usage in Canada during the coronavirus pandemic

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has devastated economies worldwide. Using detailed, monthly data from a major consumer credit reporting agency in Canada, we have examined individuals' use of credit cards and home-equity lines of credit (HELOCs). We found a dramatic leftward shift in the distribution of credit card and HELOC outstanding balances, providing evidence for a widespread reduction in credit usage. Our findings suggest that, during the COVID-19 recession, Canadian consumers were able to meet their financial needs without increasing their debt burdens. These results complement other findings concerning a decline in consumer spending and the results of government assistance programs, and imply that the economic consequences of this pandemic are very different from those in other recessions.