consumer credit

Credit extended to consumers for any of a variety of purposes. Funds to purchase a car or boat, funds disbursed through credit cards, and personal loans for many other uses are types of consumer credit. A variety of federal regulations have been written over the years to protect consumers from unfair or misleading consumer practices.

Statistics on outstanding consumer debt are released each month by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The report is closely watched because it gives economists and traders an idea of consumer buying patterns. About two-thirds of expenditures in the U.S. economy are driven by consumer spending, and a slowdown could potentially spell trouble for the U.S. economy. The Fed’s report measures revolving credit, which includes credit card debt, and non-revolving debt, which includes loans for cars, mobile homes, tuition, and other items.