Bloomberg reported that consumer borrowing in the U.S. surged in November by the most in ten years, showing households are optimistic enough to take on debt and banks are willing to lend.

According to Federal Reserve figures, Bloomberg said that credit increased by $20.4 billion, the biggest jump since November 2001, to $2.48 trillion. The advance was almost twice as big as the highest forecast of 31 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

Bloomberg noted that increasing borrowing signals that a drop in unemployment is giving households the courage to take advantage of holiday discounts, buy cars and finance higher education. At the same time, dependence on credit means the job market has yet to improve enough to provide the incomes needed to sustain consumer purchases, which account for about 70% of the economy.

To read the full Bloomberg story, click here.