By: The Associated Press (AP)
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3-YEAR LOW: An analysis of consumer credit data by credit reporting agency TransUnion shows that the percentage of U.S. homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments fell in the second quarter to the lowest level in three years.

RATE DECLINE: Some 5.49 percent of the nation's mortgage holders were behind on their payments by 60 days or more in the April-to-June period. That's down from 5.82 percent in the same period last year, and below the 5.78 percent rate for the first quarter of 2012.

OUTLOOK: TransUnion anticipates the rate will ease further but remain above 5 percent this year.