Written by
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans increased their borrowing in November by the largest amount in a decade.
They took out more loans to buy cars and plunked down their credit cards to purchase holiday gifts, a sign of their growing confidence in the economy.
The Federal Reserve says total consumer borrowing rose $20.4 billion in November, the largest increase since a $28 billion gain in November 2001.
A category that measures credit card debt rose by $5.6 billion, the most since March 2008.
Another category that tracks auto loans increased $14.8 billion. That was very close to a $14.1 billion jump in July, which was the biggest increase since February 2005.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)