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Margin debt tops $1.5 trillion as investors borrow more to trade
FINRA data show U.S. securities margin debit balances rose 7.9% in June versus May, while credit card debt stands at $1.26 trillion, according to the New York Fed.
More U.S. investors are using borrowed money in brokerage accounts, with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority data showing debit balances in customers' securities margin accounts topped $1.5 trillion as of June 2026.
That $1.5 trillion figure marks a 7.9% increase from May, and it compares with U.S. credit card debt of $1.26 trillion, based on data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The article notes that margin trading works by borrowing funds from a broker-dealer to buy additional stocks, meaning gains and losses can be amplified if the market moves sharply.
It also highlights the risk of broker “margin calls” during downturns, when traders may need to add cash quickly to avoid liquidation, pointing to the current stock market bull run as a key driver.