by Calculated Risk on 9/08/2009 03:10:00 PM
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Consumer Credit Declines Sharply in July
From MarketWatch: U.S. consumer credit down record amount in July
UU.S. consumers reduced their credit burden by a record amount in July, the Federal Reserve reported Tuesday. Total seasonally adjusted consumer debt fell $21.55 billion, or at a 10.4% annual rate, in July to $2.47 trillion. This is the sixth straight monthly drop in consumer credit. ... This is the record 11th straight monthly drop in credit card debt.

This graph shows the year-over-year (YoY) change in consumer credit. Consumer credit is off 4.2% over the last 12 months. The previous record YoY decline was 1.9% in 1991.
Here is the Fed report: Consumer Credit
Consumer credit declined from $2,493.6 billion in June to $2,472.1 in July. Note: The Fed reports a simple annual rate (multiplies change in month by 12) as opposed to a compounded annual rate.
Note: Consumer credit does not include real estate debt.