Banking, finance, and taxes

US Consumer Borrowing Rose $18 Billion in July

Thinkstock

The Federal Reserve on Thursday released its preliminary report on consumer credit for the month of July 2016. On a seasonally adjusted basis, consumer credit rose 5.8% in the month, up from 4.8% growth posted in June. The preliminary June increase of $12.3 billion was revised upward to $14.5 billion.

In dollar terms, consumer credit rose by $17.6 billion month over month. Analysts had been expecting an increase of $16 billion.

Total consumer debt rose to $3.623 trillion in February of which $934.9 billion is revolving (mostly credit card) debt and $2.688 trillion is non-revolving debt. Revolving debt rose by $4.4 billion and non-revolving debt rose by $13.2 billion. Revolving credit comprises primarily credit card balances and non-revolving credit includes motor vehicle loans, student loans, among others, and may be secured or unsecured. Mortgage debt is not included in the report.

The largest holders of consumer debt are depositary institutions which hold about $1.456 trillion in debt, including certain types of student loans. The federal government holds about $1.006 trillion in  total debt, all of which is non-revolving and includes certain kinds of student loans. Finance companies and credit unions are also large holders of non-revolving debt, with July totals of about $613.1 billion and $312.6 billion, respectively.

The Average American Is Losing Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)

If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4% today, and inflation is much higher. Checking accounts are even worse.

Every day you don’t move to a high-yield savings account that beats inflation, you lose more and more value.

But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying 9-10x this national average. That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe, and get paid at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other one time cash bonuses, and is FDIC insured.

Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes and your money could be working for you.

 

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.