Consumers push borrowing to a record high
WASHINGTON - U.S. consumer borrowing climbed to a record in July, the latest evidence that the U.S. economy should grow at a healthy pace in the second half of this year.
The Federal Reserve says consumer borrowing rose by $19.1 billion in July, pushing the total to a record $3.45 trillion. This followed an even larger $27.1 billion increase in June, the biggest one-month gain in credit since November 2001. The June increase was revised up significantly from an initial estimate of $20.7 billion.
Economists believe strong job gains will support increased borrowing and consumer spending, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of economic activity.
In July, borrowing in the category that includes auto and student loans rose $14.8 billion, while the category for consumer card debt increased $4.3 billion.
The Fed's monthly report on credit does not cover home mortgages or other loans secured by real estate such as home equity loans.
On Friday, the Labor Department said employers added 173,000 jobs in August and the unemployment rate dropped to a seven-year low of 5.1 percent.
The economy grew at an annual rate of 3.7 percent in the April-June quarter after turning in an anemic 0.6 percent increase in the first. Economists believe growth will average around 3 percent in the third and fourth quarters this year.
Over past year, consumer borrowing has risen 6.8 percent, paced by a 7.9 percent surge in borrowing for auto loans and student loans. The credit card category has risen a more moderate 3.9 percent.