NEW YORK - June 15, 2009 - U.S. credit card defaults rose to record highs in May, with a steep deterioration of Bank of America’s lending portfolio, in another sign that consumers remain under severe stress.

Delinquency rates - an indicator of future credit losses - fell across the industry, but analysts said the decline was due to a seasonal trend as consumers used tax refunds to pay back debts, and they expect delinquencies to go up again in coming months.

Bank of America - the largest U.S. bank - said its default rate - those loans the company does not expect to be paid back - soared to 12.50 percent in May from 10.47 percent in April.

In addition, American Express, which accounts for nearly a quarter of credit and charge card sales volume in the United States, said its default rate rose to 10.4 percent from 9.90, according to a regulatory filing based on the performance of credit card loans that were securitized.

Credit card losses usually follow the trend of unemployment, which rose in May to a 26-year high of 9.4 percent and is expected to peak near 10 percent by the end of 2009.

If credit card losses across the industry surpass 10 percent this year, as analysts and bank executives expect, loan losses could top $70 billion.