WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Reserve halted its reporting on averages for new-vehicle loans by finance companies. Officials indicated the statistical foundation for this series of updates has "deteriorated" in the past few months.

"Therefore, publication of these series is temporarily being suspended," the Fed stated last week. "The statistical foundation is in the process of being improved, and publication will resume as soon as possible."

While the usual finance company data that would have revealed February averages for loan-to-value ratio and the average amount financed wasn't available, federal officials did offer February's average interest rate on new-vehicle loans at commercial banks.

The Fed pinpointed this average at 5.86 percent. 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 3.75 percent in February 2011. Non-revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 7.75 percent, while revolving credit decreased at an annual rate of 4 percent."