Consumers Cut Back on Credit Card Use

Washington, DC, Oct. 8, 2013 -- Americans cut back on using their credit cards in August for a third straight month, according to the Federal Reserve.

However, consumers increased their overall borrowing $13.6 billion in August to a record $3.04 trillion, following a gain of $10.4 billion in July.

The increase in borrowing was driven entirely by auto and student loans, even as credit card debt dropped $883 million to roughly $850 billion.

Credit card debt is essentially where it was a year ago. And it is 16.9% below its peak in July 2008.