GreenPath Surpasses $1 Billion in Managed Debt as Americans Face Growing Financial Strain

Key Takeaways:

• GreenPath now manages more than $1 billion in debt on behalf of its clients, the highest in the nonprofit's 65-year history.
• Credit card debt is the biggest client debt burden at $875 million. Clients entering a debt management program (DMP) carry an average of more than $19,000 across four cards. 
• The GreenPath DMP provides a path to relief through consolidated and often reduced payments, typically with lower interest rates. Most people repay their debt in full in 3-5 years and often see a credit score increase. Through the DMP, GreenPath clients paid off $282 million in debt in 2025.
• Kristen Holt, GreenPath President & CEO, stresses that every dollar of the $1 billion milestone represents a real person seeking relief and encourages those struggling to turn to trusted support.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With summertime and back-to-school expenses still fresh on many Americans' minds and wallets, GreenPath Financial Wellness has surpassed a notable milestone: for the first time in its 65-year history, the nonprofit is helping clients repay more than $1 billion in total debt through its debt management program (DMP).

This milestone underscores the increasing financial strain facing many households across the country. A recent study by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility found that 60% of Americans say that the rising cost of living is a barrier for achieving their goals⁽¹⁾ while US household credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York⁽²⁾.

GreenPath's active DMP portfolio shows some of the largest categories of debt impacting Americans, including:

• $875 million in credit card debt
• $101 million in installment loan debt
• $17 million in other debt

Credit card debt is the biggest burden by a wide margin: approximately $774 million higher than the second most prominent debt type. On average, individuals enrolling in a GreenPath debt management program carry $19,426 across four active credit cards. They also face a sky-high interest rate of 28% on average when repaying without a DMP. At that rate, payments barely reduce the principal balance.

Now that the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in years⁽³⁾—a change that will likely impact the rates for relief options such as debt consolidation loans or debt settlement loans—the debt management program is an even stronger option for repayment.   

"This milestone is both significant and sobering," said Kristen Holt, President & CEO of GreenPath. "Helping clients manage more than $1 billion in debt reflects the trust people place in GreenPath during difficult times. It also speaks to a broader reality that many individuals and families are carrying more debt than we've seen in recent years."

In the first eight months of 2026, GreenPath provided over 9,700 more free financial counseling sessions than in the same period in 2025, and nearly 13,000 more than in the same period in 2024. These clients were also carrying higher credit card debt on average, most notably an 11% increase from 2025 to 2026.

But the numbers aren't all that matter when every dollar represents a person seeking relief.

"When we talk about $1 billion in debt, we're talking about real people facing real financial pressures," Holt said. "Some are recovering from a medical emergency, navigating a job loss, or trying to cover everyday expenses as costs rise. GreenPath's DMP provides a path forward."  

A debt management program is a structured, proven plan that consolidates multiple sources of unsecured debt into a single, often reduced monthly payment. GreenPath works directly with creditors to secure lower interest rates to help pay off debt faster—typically in three to five years.

In 2025, GreenPath DMP clients repaid more than $282 million in debt, representing thousands of households making real progress toward financial stability. The volume of debt management plan enrollments has also increased by 18% in the first eight months of 2026 compared to 2025. Despite the challenges facing households today, GreenPath leadership stresses that there is hope and assistance for anyone who is struggling.

"This milestone is proof that there's a growing need for trusted support and effective solutions. People often come to us after trying to manage growing debt on their own for months or even years, but seeking help can be the first step to recovery and long-term success. We often hear our clients say they wish they had called sooner. GreenPath is here to be your trusted guide and to help you achieve your goals," Holt concluded.

(1) National survey on economic mobility finds Americans share common aspirations for a better life, cite rising cost of living as their overarching barrier to progress, The McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility.

(2) Household Debt and Credit Report, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

(3) The Fed raises interest rates for the first time in over three years, NPR.

About GreenPath Financial Wellness

GreenPath Financial Wellness is a trusted, national nonprofit on a mission to empower people to lead financially healthy lives. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, GreenPath offers free financial counseling with NFCC- and HUD- certified experts. If you're struggling to budget, manage debt, or reach your financial goals, you're not alone. Contact GreenPath at (866) 648-8122 or visit www.greenpath.com.

For press and media inquiries, please contact:

Audrey Downs
Communications Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE GreenPath Financial Wellness