Consumer credit up in July, Fed says

WASHINGTON – Consumer credit not including mortgages or other home equity loans rose by $10.8 billion in July, accelerating from the $8.9 billion leap in June, according to the Federal Reserve. Consumer credit has not posted a decline since January 1998, the Fed reported. The Fed attributed the increased credit to low interest rates on new car purchases and increased credit card activity. The Fed reported revolving credit (which includes credit card, retail, and bank-card borrowing) increased by $6.5 billion annually, accelerating from a $3.5 billion rise in June. That meant revolving credit grew by 10.8% July, up from a 6% increase in June. July’s was the largest increase since February 2001. Credit unions held 11.2% of the consumer loan market in July, compared with 11.5% the same month last year, according to CUNA’s economic and statistics department. Banks’ percentage moved from 33.2% to 32.6% over the period, while the finance company share rose from 13.4% to 14.1%.