WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans increased their borrowing in November by the largest amount in a decade.

They took out more loans to buy cars and plunked down their credit cards to purchase holiday gifts, a sign of their growing confidence in the economy.

The Federal Reserve says total consumer borrowing rose $20.4 billion in November, the largest increase since a $28 billion gain in November 2001.

A category that measures credit card debt rose by $5.6 billion, the most since March 2008.

Another category that tracks auto loans increased $14.8 billion. That was very close to a $14.1 billion jump in July, which was the biggest increase since February 2005.