Consumers continue to take advantage of the current low interest rate environment and spending boom, with demand for credit rising again in September.

According to data released by the South African Reserve Bank on Monday, private sector credit extension rose by 22.89 percent, compared to 22.74 percent in August.

On a year-on-year basis, excluding loans to provincial governments, credit extension rose by 22.81 percent in September, compared to 21.97 in August.

Business Day reports the increase was driven mainly by mortgage advances, which increased R12.6-billion during September, which shows the property market is still lively, despite signs of it starting to cool off.

Meanwhile, growth in the bank's M3 money supply measure rose 16.74 percent in the year to September, compared to 19 percent in the year to August.

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SA's official statistics body produces a number of key indicators, including monthly inflation and quarterly GDP figures, unemployment and population counts.

ECONOMY UPDATE Business expectations remain positive Manufacturing output up 6.2% Retail sales increase Pension fund assets exceed R1-trillion Business confidence at record high Net reserves climb to $18.7bn Govt to spend R372bn on infrastructure Jan house price growth at 14.9% Interest rates unchanged Strong new vehicle sales Manufacturing hit by strong rand SA hotels boost occupancy levels Economic growth creating jobs Producer inflation rises Inflation dampens rate cut hopes