WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Reserve's January update on averages for new-vehicle loans by finance companies revealed a few noteworthy trends, including how far both the loan-to-value ratio and the average amount financed have sunk.

Officials reported that January's ratio dropped to 80 as the average interest rate climbed to 4.73 percent, up from 4.55 percent for the closing month of 2010.

For reference, the lowest point the loan-to-value ratio ever got in 2010 was 82, the mark for both November and December. It also never moved higher month-over-month last year.

Back in 2007 before the recession hit, the ratio climbed as high as 95 and never dropped below 91 during that calendar year.

The January update also mentioned the median maturity level rose to 62.3 months, breaking a string of declines that stretched back to last September.

The average amount financed in January also dipped below $27,000 for the first time since February 2009. January's average settled at $26,673.

One of the lowest averages came during the depths of the recession when the January 2009 figure was just $22,922.

The average interest rate on 48-month new-car loans at commercial banks was not available for January. The previous reading officials shared was for last November when it was 5.87 percent.

In wrapping up its report, the Federal Reserve indicated, "Consumer credit increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in January. Non-revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 7 percent, while revolving credit decreased at an annual rate of 6.5 percent."