71.   Lawrence B. Lindsey, a member of the Federal Reserve Board, expressed uneasiness about consumer debt at a forum of the House of Representatives.

72.   Many merchants spent the season blaming consumer debt and joblessness for empty stores and clamped pocketbooks.

73.   Lower rates also can lead banks to cut their prime lending rates, reducing interest rates on consumer debt such as credit cards.

74.   Mastercard said consumer debt is rising compared to disposable income because households are increasingly using credit cards instead of cash to pay for goods and services.

75.   Meanwhile, less spending also means less consumer debt.

76.   Mayland said low consumer demand, controlled levels of business and consumer debt, reduced inventory and a stable inflationary environment also contribute to his optimism.

77.   Mortgage and home equity loans, as a result, are the fastest-rising form of consumer debt in recent months, the Federal Reserve reports.

78.   Mortgage delinquencies are also rising in line with rising consumer debt and any further increase in rates could accelerate that trend, economists say.

79.   Ms. Fosler worries little about the buildup of consumer debt, which she says is no higher than at previous peaks and is a dubious predictor.

80.   Ms. Mullin cited a number of macroeconomic indicators that portend healthy holiday sales, including low unemployment, fairly stable consumer confidence and lower consumer debt.