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Americans increased their borrowing in April at the fastest pace in five months, especially with credit cards.
Consumer credit rose by a seasonally adjusted $8.9 billion, or at a 6.3 percent annual rate, the Federal Reserve (news - web sites) reported Friday.
The advance — bigger than many economists' expectations — offered an encouraging sign consumers will continue to spend and help along the economic recovery.
Demand for revolving credit rose $4.1 billion, or at an annual rate of 7 percent in April. That followed a smaller $2.4 billion increase and a growth rate of 4.1 percent in March.
For nonrevolving credit, including new cars and vacations, demand grew by $4.8 billion in April, or at an annual rate of 5.8 percent. That compared with a $4.4 billion increase, or a 5.4 percent growth rate, in March.
The 6.3 percent growth rate in overall consumer borrowing in April marked the biggest increase since November, when consumer credit shot up at a rate of 15 percent.
In March, total consumer credit rose at a 4.8 percent rate, according to revised figures. That was more brisk than the 3.3 percent pace the Fed reported a month ago.
Unlike past recessions, consumers continued to spend throughout this one, meaning they probably will not have a lot of pent-up demand to spend lavishly as the economy recovers from last year's recession. Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity.
Still, economists are optimistic that consumers will continue to spend in the months ahead, but probably at a modest pace.
The Fed's report on consumers includes credit card debt and loans for autos, boats and mobile homes. It does not include loans backed by real estate, such as home mortgages or increasingly popular home equity loans.
Consumer credit rose by a seasonally adjusted $8.9 billion, or at a 6.3 percent annual rate, the Federal Reserve (news - web sites) reported Friday.
The advance — bigger than many economists' expectations — offered an encouraging sign consumers will continue to spend and help along the economic recovery.
Demand for revolving credit rose $4.1 billion, or at an annual rate of 7 percent in April. That followed a smaller $2.4 billion increase and a growth rate of 4.1 percent in March.
For nonrevolving credit, including new cars and vacations, demand grew by $4.8 billion in April, or at an annual rate of 5.8 percent. That compared with a $4.4 billion increase, or a 5.4 percent growth rate, in March.
The 6.3 percent growth rate in overall consumer borrowing in April marked the biggest increase since November, when consumer credit shot up at a rate of 15 percent.
In March, total consumer credit rose at a 4.8 percent rate, according to revised figures. That was more brisk than the 3.3 percent pace the Fed reported a month ago.
Unlike past recessions, consumers continued to spend throughout this one, meaning they probably will not have a lot of pent-up demand to spend lavishly as the economy recovers from last year's recession. Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity.
Still, economists are optimistic that consumers will continue to spend in the months ahead, but probably at a modest pace.
The Fed's report on consumers includes credit card debt and loans for autos, boats and mobile homes. It does not include loans backed by real estate, such as home mortgages or increasingly popular home equity loans.