The rates of delinquencies and foreclosures in Maine was on the rise at the end of 2007, according to a survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The association said the number of Maine residential mortgages on which payments were delinquent increased 0.68 percentage points to 5.88 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

Foreclosure starts in the same period rose 0.10 percentage points to 0.75 percent and the number of homes in the foreclosure process increased 0.30 percentage points to 2.36 percent.

Maine ranked 23rd in delinquencies and eighth in foreclosure inventory, the association's survey found.

The MBA noted that its state numbers are not seasonally adjusted and delinquencies and foreclosures typically increase during the fourth quarter and fall in the first quarter of a year.

Nationally, the delinquency rate was up 0.23 percentage points to 5.82 percent; foreclosure starts increased 0.05 percentage points to 0.83 percent; and homes in the foreclosure process rose 0.35 percent to 2.04 percent.

The association said 49 states and the District of Columbia recorded an increase in delinquency rates. The only exception was Alaska, which had a slight decrease.