consumer credit Archives - the patient investor

May 10, 2012

Consumer Credit – Worse Than You Think | The Big Picture

Take out government-owned student loans and there has been virtually no rebound in consumer credit since the Great Recession ended. Restated, the consumer has not been borrowing since the Great Recession has ended. Rather, students took advantage of below-market rates on loans provided by the government starting in 2009…….“Most of the improvement in credit is a function of the explosion student loan debt,” said Neil Dutta, an economist at Bank of America Corp. in New York. “The reason student loan debt is exploding? Because the youth population is having difficulty finding work. Hardly a good reason for credit extension.”

via Consumer Credit – Worse Than You Think | The Big Picture.

October 8, 2011

U.S. Consumer Credit Fell $9.5 Billion in August, Biggest Drop in a Year – Bloomberg

Consumer credit in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped in August by the most in over a year. The $9.5 billion decrease followed an $11.9 billion increase the previous month, the Federal Reserve said today in Washington. Non-revolving credit, which includes student loans and financing for automobile purchases, slumped by the most in three years. Decreasing credit shows American households are either continuing to pay down debt or lack the confidence to boost spending on non-essential goods.

via U.S. Consumer Credit Fell $9.5 Billion in August, Biggest Drop in a Year – Bloomberg.

September 5, 2011

Australia Investor Confidence at Lowest Level Since 2009 – WSJ.com

Australians face rising electricity bills, fuel prices and mortgage rates, and the increasing cost of living has been exacting a toll on the economy.

Neither consumers nor businesses are in the mood to borrow in a major way. Veda’s quarterly Consumer Credit Demand Index, released Monday, showed consumer credit demand has dropped 5.1% since March. Business credit growth was flat in July, after having not posted growth for four straight months, St. George Bank economist Janu Chan said. In the year to July, business credit contracted 1.9%. “Lackluster growth in business credit is consistent with softening business confidence, and adds to evidence that certain sectors of the economy are doing it tough,” Ms. Chan said in a note.

via Australia Investor Confidence at Lowest Level Since 2009 – WSJ.com.