# U.S. Margin Debt Rises $26.2 Billion in September, Stays Below June Peak By Enna Lee Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/35483 Published: 2026-10-20T09:15:34.000Z Updated: 2026-10-20T09:15:34.000Z Section: Investing > The balance was $254.5 billion above its year-end level. Measured against the same GDP figure, September also trailed June. U.S. margin debt rose to $1.480 trillion in September, bringing securities-backed borrowing close to its June peak and highlighting the potential for forced sales if collateral values fall. Balances in customers’ securities margin accounts increased $26.2 billion from $1.454 trillion in August. September remained about $22 billion below [June’s $1.502 trillion balance](). Compared with the end of 2025, margin debt was up $254.5 billion, or about 21%. September’s balance equaled about 4.5% of the latest available annualized U.S. gross domestic product of $32.563 trillion. Using that same GDP figure for June puts its larger margin balance at about 4.6%. September was below June in dollars and by that common measure of economic output. Margin debt represents debit balances in customers’ securities margin accounts at Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member firms. Securities in those accounts serve as collateral. If their value falls, brokers can demand additional funds or sell assets to meet account requirements. The figures measure borrowing in those securities accounts, not borrowing across the crypto market. They do not isolate retail investors or establish how much of a monthly change came from new borrowing, changes in portfolio values or obligations tied to short positions. The next reading will cover October. FINRA generally updates the series in the third week of the following month. ## Links in this article - [June’s $1.502 trillion balance](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/28882)