WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer credit increased $3 billion in September at an annual growth rate of 4.9% as consumers rang up more charges on their credit cards, the Federal Reserve said today.

"Revolving credit growth, although less than in August, remained strong," the Fed said. "Auto loans outstanding were about unchanged in September. All other borrowings increased at about half the August pace and mobile home loans declined."

In August, consumer credit also rose a revised $3 billion at an annual growth rate of 5%, and in July consumer borrowing was up about $4.73 billion at a growth rate of 7.8%, the Fed said.

The September rate of borrowing, despite the slowdown in the American economy, was higher than expected by private economists. The consensus among analysts was an increase of $2.5 billion for the month.