Consumer credit dives $9.5 billion in August

Oct. 7, 2011 3:31 PM PT

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Americans trying to shake off their debt caused the worst drop in consumer credit in more than a year.

The unpredictable economy had people shunning credit cards and paying off cars and student loans, according to a report Friday from the Federal Reserve. Consumer credit swung down $9.5 billion in August, the first decline since September 2010 and the worst since April 2010.

The month before, credit levels saw an $11.9-billion increase.

Revolving credit, associated mostly with credit cards, tumbled for the second month in a row, down $2.2 billion. Non-revolving credit, linked to borrowing for school and auto purchases, slipped $7.3 billion.

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-- Tiffany Hsu

Money & Company

Tiffany Hsu

Tiffany Hsu is a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she wrote about the California economy, fast food, restaurants, retail and alternative energy for the Business section. A Bay Area native, UC Berkeley graduate and eternal Nor-Cal fan, she once worked for the San Francisco Bay Guardian. She also did a stint at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where she developed a passion for sweet tea. She still has faith that someday she’ll find two economists who agree.