ATLANTA — In an overall consumer credit environment billed by Equifax to be continually improving, first-quarter auto loan originations climbed double digits, with March being the strongest month in almost three years.

More specifically, Equifax said that the total number of auto loan origination for the first quarter was up 20 percent year-over-year.

March loan originations were at $1.8 million, which marked the highest sum since the summer of 2008.

The first quarter saw $87 billion in new auto loans being made, up 21-percent year-over-year, according to Equifax’s latest National Credit Trend Report. In March (the most recent month included in the report), monthly total loan amounts came in at $33.6 billion, up 12 percent year-over-year.

Sharing some other metrics, Equifax noted that average loan amounts (among all borrowers) in March were relatively stable on a year-over-year basis.

For loans originated via banks, credit unions, and savings and loan channels, the amount was at $18,661, compared to $18,463 in March 2010.

For loans originated via auto finance companies, the amount was $19,013, compared to $19,236 in March 2010.

Comparing new auto loan payments (among all borrowers) for March, they were down modestly from a year ago.

Specifically, payments on loans via banks/credit unions/savings and loans averaged $366, down from $377. For auto finance company-generated loans, the average payment was $397, down from $404.

Looking at prime borrowers specifically, Equifax found that average loan amounts are about equal or modestly ahead of where the amounts were before the recession.

Equifax also discovered that auto delinquencies and write-offs “have continued to improve” and getting closer to pre-recession levels.

“While some sectors of the economy — most notably housing — continue to struggle, the auto lending sector has displayed positive gains based on loosening of credit to both prime and subprime borrowers paired with improvements in consumer payment behavior, which is reflected in the declining number of auto loan delinquencies,” said Michael Koukounas, Equifax’s senior vice president of special client services.

The report also noted that in addition to auto loans, originations have increased on a year-to-date basis for bankcard, consumer finance and home equity revolving lines.

And despite being significantly softer than pre-recession levels, total new credit available is at $167 billion, which is up more than 15 percent compared to 2009.

“Despite concerns of the economy relapsing, several current metrics indicate the credit cycle is stabilizing – even growing somewhat as consumer payment behavior improves,” Koukounas shared.