# Homeowners tap equity as HELOC balances post biggest jump since 2005: New York Fed report

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/homeowners-tap-equity-as-heloc-balances-post-biggest-jump-since-2005-new-york-fed-report/
- Published: 2026-11-10T21:37:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T07:36:10+00:00
- Original publisher: CNBC (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/10/heloc-balances-new-york-fed.html
- Topics: Business

## Key points

- HELOC balances rose by $23 billion in the third quarter.
- Total balances reached $481 billion.
- Many owners are holding on to low mortgage rates.

## Summary

US homeowners increased their home equity line of credit (HELOC) borrowing by $23 billion in the third quarter, the largest rise since 2005, according to a New York Federal Reserve report. The increase matters because it extends a run of rising balances as homeowners face a sluggish housing market and many are reluctant to move.

HELOC debt reached $481 billion by 30 September, marking its 18th consecutive quarterly increase. Balances previously peaked at about $714 billion in the first quarter of 2009. In the second quarter, 49.1% of outstanding mortgages had interest rates of 4% or lower, which may discourage owners from selling and taking on a new mortgage at higher rates.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.