Consumer credit dives for 7th month

Consumer credit pulled back for the seventh straight month in August, led by a steep decline in credit card usage, a government report said Wednesday, as unemployment soared and cash-strapped consumers continued to limit spending.

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Consumer credit dives for 7th month

A grim year for small business lending

Here’s a telling statistic about the toll the recession is taking on Main Street: This year, the government’s top small business lending program got loans to 25,000 fewer entrepreneurs than it did last year.

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A grim year for small business lending

Foreign purchases of U.S. homes dip

Despite record U.S. home price affordability, international buyers have been unable to take advantage because of the worldwide recession and credit crunch, a real estate group said Tuesday.

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Foreign purchases of U.S. homes dip

Credit delinquencies hit record high

Soaring unemployment and the housing bust are leaving consumers hard-pressed to make loan payments on everything from credit cards to cars.

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Credit delinquencies hit record high