Comments on News N Economics: Credit crunch still not evident in the data but is...

I know, that's really cool.

Keep posting an...

2008-10-01T21:03:00.000-04:00

I know, that's really cool.

Keep posting and I will keep reading! Rebecca

Hey Rebecca, you just got linked to by Paul Krugman! Congratulations! You're welcome for the suggestion that you contact Mark Thoma about being listed on his blogroll. Unfortunately, I haven't followed my own advice. Hey, Paul and Mark, check out Bubble Meter, too!

Hi Mark,

You asked: “What proportion of "Ot...

2008-10-01T08:57:00.000-04:00

Hi Mark,

You asked: “What proportion of "Other Consumer Loans" are home equity related?”

The answer is none. Home equity lines of credit are counted in “real estate loans,” which is another category of loans entirely and has been falling precipitously. Home equity credit was 15% of real estate loans in the week of September 17. You can view the bank data here: http://federalreserve.gov/releases/h8/data.htm

Thanks for reading, Rebecca

"The chart illustrates weekly consumer loans broke...

2008-09-30T20:35:00.000-04:00

"The chart illustrates weekly consumer loans broken up into revolving credit (credit cards) and "other" types of consumer loans. Revolving loans account for the smaller share of total consumer loans, roughly 40%, and have been accelerating since July."

Your chart shows the blue line (revolving credit) consistently higher than the red line, up to the beginning of 2008, when the blue line reached a plateau and was temporarily overtaken by the red line. What do you see in this chart that I cannot see? Ok the axes are not the same (bad idea) but still your story doesn,t hold. Revolving credit is growing no faster now than in earlier years. What I think your data really show is that Americans are over-indebted, and every rational person should hope not to see any more of that kind of growth.

What proportion of "Other Consumer Loans" are home...

2008-09-30T16:43:00.000-04:00

What proportion of "Other Consumer Loans" are home equity related? If it's substantial, I'm not certain that a freeze up on Wall Street makes much difference since home equity that is available to use as collateral is eroding.

Hi BC, I assume so, but the article doesn't specif...

2008-09-30T13:52:00.000-04:00

Hi BC, I assume so, but the article doesn't specify.

Thanks for reading! Rebecca

Is this the same Advanta located at http://www.adv...

2008-09-30T13:12:00.000-04:00

Is this the same Advanta located at http://www.advanta.com?

Good sluething on the consumer small business cred...

2008-09-29T09:40:00.000-04:00

Good sluething on the consumer small business credit. Obviously, Bank of America thinks more credit is risky but, then again, look at their background? They just bought the bank of the same name but are still the same bums they were back in the 90s.

Thanks!

I linked you to my blogroll and loo...

2008-09-29T08:48:00.000-04:00

Thanks!

I linked you to my blogroll and look forward to reading future posts!

Rebecca

very interesting bec! I have linked you on my blog...

2008-09-29T07:39:00.000-04:00

very interesting bec! I have linked you on my blog after seeing a tipon the ninja...I have been waiting for news on credit cards and your analysis on the use of credit lines is useful too.thanx.p