FILE - In this March 6, 2017, file photo, home equity and auto loan rates are displayed at a bank in North Andover, Mass. On Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, the Federal Reserve releases its August report on consumer borrowing. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Republished October 06, 2017 - 1:03 PM
Original Publication Date October 06, 2017 - 12:16 PM
WASHINGTON - U.S. consumers slowed their borrowing in August to an annual increase of 4.2 per cent — a pullback from a pace of roughly 7 per cent over each of the past three years.
The Federal Reserve said Friday that overall consumer credit rose $13.1 billion in August, down from the $17.7 billion increase in July.
Economists and financial markets monitor the consumer borrowing report for insights about consumer spending, a category that represents about 70 per cent of U.S. economic activity. Consumer spending barely edged up in August in a sign that some Americans remain cautious despite a relatively solid job market.
Others signs suggest that consumers are being careful with the additional debt they're taking on. A measure of delinquencies tracked by the American Bankers Association remained below its historic 15-year average, the trade association said Thursday.
Non-revolving credit, which includes auto and student loans, increased $7.3 billion. The revolving credit category, which includes credit cards, increased $5.8 billion.
The August increase brought consumer credit to a total of $3.77 trillion. The Fed's monthly credit report does not include mortgages or other debt secured by real estate, including home-equity loans.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017