More indicators of the downbeat outlook for the banking sector emerged yesterday, with pointers to rising business loan defaults and to a softening in demand for consumer credit.The quarterly "index" produced by National Credit Insurance (Brokers) shows there was a 24 per cent increase in the number of claims placed and a 41 per cent increase in the value of claims in the September 2012 quarter over the June 2012 quarter.The index is not particularly scientific. It is drawn from records of the number of claims along with collection activity, credit limit decisions and overdue accounts collated by the firm. Claims figures receive the highest weighting, accounts referred for collection receive the next highest weighting, while figures relating to underwriters' appetite for risk and overdues receive the lowest weightings.NCI, an Adelaide-based broker, says its handles around 65 per cent of all credit insurance handled by insurance brokers. The firm has collated the index since early 2006.A separate quarterly measure compiled by credit bureau Veda paints a dour picture of short-term demand. Veda draws its data from queries made by financial institutions assessing loans.Veda said demand for home loans fell 9.0 per cent in the September 2012 quarter from the June quarter.Demand for personal loans - mainly for cars, a previously robust niche - fell 3.3 per cent.Applications for credit cards fell 12.5 per cent over the quarter.Veda said the overall demand for consumer credit fell 7.8 per cent over the September quarter, and fell 1.4 per cent over the year.