Demand for credit keeps on getting stronger

April showed the third rise in the last four months, as it rose by £4.2bn to £393bn.

Simon Pitkeathley, executive director of the BBA said: "It seems that the consumer feel-good factor continues, with anticipation of possible increases in interest rates encouraging people to ‘buy credit now while cheap’, and increasing mortgage demand in particular. However, credit card borrowing and personal loans remain affordable and the consequent retail sales are good news for manufacturers and retailers, with both sectors repaying debt in April."