U.S. mortgage crisis spreads past subprime loans - International Herald Tribune

U.S. mortgage crisis spreads past subprime loans - International Herald Tribune

As U.S. home prices fall and banks tighten lending standards, people with good, or prime, credit histories are falling behind on their payments for home loans, auto loans and credit cards at a quickening pace, according to industry data and economists.

The rise in prime delinquencies, while less severe than the one in the subprime market, nonetheless poses a threat to the battered U.S. housing market and weakening economy, which some specialists say is in a recession or headed for one.