During August, consumer credit outstanding dropped as it never has before. The $7.9 billion m/m decline was by far the largest in the series' postwar history. On a percentage basis, credit outstanding did fall a more moderate 0.3%, but even that represented one of larger declines in the series' history. It is nearly unprecedented for a non-recessionary period.

Over the last three months, growth in consumer credit outstanding averaged just 1.0% (AR). Before August that growth averaged between 3% and 5% after the 2007 gain of 5.8%. The decline in growth was necessitated by less spending on consumer durables. The three month growth in nominal PCE for durable goods during the last three months cycled down to -12.4% from 2.9% positive growth during all of last year.

Non-revolving credit, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of total consumer credit, led the decline in borrowing with a $7.3B drop. Except for one month in early 1977, the dollar drop was unprecedented and on a percentage basis the 0.5% decline was one of the larger ones. On a three month basis, annualized growth fell to zero after a 4.7% rise last year and 3.6% growth during 2006.

Revolving credit outstanding dropped a more modest $0.6B during August. While declines outside of past recessionary periods are rare, they are not unprecedented. And though they didn't exactly throw their credit cards away, consumers were much more frugal using them. Three month growth fell to 2.6%, down by two thirds from the 7.4% growth last year.

These figures are the major input to the Fed's Flow of Funds accounts for the household sector, released quarterly.

The minutes to the latest meeting of the FOMC can be found here.