Borrowing by Americans rose in May at the fastest pace in a year, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Borrowing in the category that includes credit cards use reached its highest point since the fall of 2010, as increased borrowing typically means that consumers are feeling more confident.

Borrowing increased by $19.6 billion in May compared with April, the Federal Reserve said recently in its monthly report on consumer credit. It was the biggest jump since a $19.9 billion rise in May 2012, and total borrowing reached a record $2.84 trillion, AP reported.

The category that includes credit card use climbed $6.6 billion, also the largest increase in a year. Credit card debt reached $847.1 billion, the highest since September 2010. Credit card debt remains about 16% below its high of $1.02 trillion in July 2008—just before the financial crash.

The increase in credit card borrowing could help boost consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of economic activity. But some consumers have been reluctant to run up high-interest debt since the recession ended.

The measure of card debt in the Federal Reserve's report has risen $15.8 billion this year. That's significantly lower compared with annual increases of $25 billion to $50 billion in credit card debt before the Great Recession, which officially started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009, AP reported.

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