* When comparing non-mortgage credit balances (auto loans, credit cards and student loans) across high-income consumers (greater than $50,000 annually), ethnic segments accumulated more debt the past two years than did the non-ethnic group. * Although the African-American market had the highest outstanding balances, it was the Hispanic market with the greatest and most consistent growth. The Hispanic group's outstanding balances were up 33% from their balances during the first half of 2001. * Student loans accounted for the highest increase of outstanding debt-a 60% increase for Hispanic households the past two years marking an investment in their education and advancement in society. * Among low-income (less than $25,000 annually) consumers who had checking accounts, Asians were more than twice as likely to use online banking than non-ethnic consumers. Online banking was prevalent among all income groups among the Asian community, surpassing both non-ethnic and other ethnic groups. Low-income Asian households also were more 54% likely to have Internet access at home than the non-ethnic group. Source: Claritas Inc.