Consumers looking for credit are being met with tighter lending standards, according to the latest survey from the Federal Reserve.

The central bank said mortgages, credit cards and personal loans are all becoming more difficult to obtain as the economic crisis continues, the Associated Press reports.

Almost 60 per cent of banks told the Fed they had introduced stricter lending criteria on credit cards, while 70 per cent said they had tightened lending standards for mortgages.

Consumers struggling to secure credit under such conditions could find that pay day loans are a useful alternative.

They can apply for such loans quickly over the internet, borrowing small amounts over a short period of time to help them deal with financial emergencies.

Pay day loans are repaid once a customer receives his or her next pay check.

Meanwhile, United Press International reports that 30 US states are now in a recession or heading into one, according to Moody's Economy.com.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------