People never learn. Do they not understand being a slave to debt? Auto loans hit a 9-year high Americans took out the most auto loans in nine years during the third quarter, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's quarterly Household Debt and Credit Report. Auto loan origination was $105 billion, the highest amount since the third quarter of 2005. That's in line with industry reports of stronger U.S. car sales, boosting the contribution of consumer spending to third-quarter U.S. growth. Auto loan balances have now risen for 14 straight quarters, the New York Fed says. — Bloomberg News