ECONOMY

Americans Buying More on Credit: Consumer credit rose $12.9 billion in November, the 24th straight monthly advance and the biggest increase since August, the government said. The Federal Reserve Board said installment debt jumped 17.8% at an annual rate in November on top of a 15.9% rise in October and 14.3% in September. The November increase was the largest since a $15.1-billion jump in August. Consumer credit includes all household debt not secured by real estate, such as home equity loans and home mortgages. Analysts said the latest figures reflect rising car sales and increasing use of credit cards during the holiday shopping season. They said the total debt does not appear to be at a dangerous level.