Credit use that depends on real estate as collateral (first and second mortgages and HELoCs) is on the decline; real-estate debt remains the "800-pound gorilla" on consumers' balance sheet. At the same time, the increase in the incidence (and amounts) of outstanding debt is striking; the deleveraging of the American consumer appears to be slowing because of increasing confidence and spending.

Watch this mini-presentation by Larry Cohen, director of SBI's Consumer Financial Decisions group, to find out more about credit use.

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