WASHINGTON — The

average amount financed on U.S. new-vehicle purchases increased

in January 2009, according to the latest Federal

Reserve Statistical Release.

The average amount financed in January was $22,922,

slightly higher than the $22,769 recorded in December 2008, but still below last year’s average of

$26,178.

The loan-to-value ratio (LTV) on new-vehicle deals rose

one point from December 2008 to reach 86 percent, which was below last year’s

average of 91 percent.

Average loan maturity for January was 59.3 months, a

slight decline from 59.8 in December, and down from last year’s average of

63.4.

Interest rates on new-car purchases declined slightly to

8.23 percent. The rate is down from the 8.42 recorded in December 2008, and but

still above last year’s average of 5.52 percent.

Nonrevolving consumer credit,

which includes auto loans, increased 0.5 percent (or $1.6 trillion) in January,

but was still below the fourth quarter 2008 average of 1.1

percent.