Both the housing and business lending markets have returned to growth rates not seen for several years, while personal lending continues to be a drag on the system.According to the latest Reserve Bank financial aggregates, lenders' mortgage balances grew by 0.5 per cent in May, compared with growth of 0.6 per cent in April.Over the 12 months to May mortgage balances grew by 6.2 per cent, which is the strongest annual growth rate since the middle of 2011.Growth in lending to owner-occupiers eased a little - down from 0.5 per cent in April to 0.4 per cent in May. Growth in lending to property investors was steady at 0.8 per cent.Personal loans balances fell in May - the fourth monthly fall this year. Balances were 0.3 per cent, month on month, and grew just 0.3 per cent over the 12 months to May.Business loan balances were up 0.2 per cent in May, compared with 0.3 per cent growth in April. Business loan balances increased by 2.7 per cent over the 12 months to May.Total credit balances were up 4.7 per cent over the 12 months to May, which is the strongest annual growth rate since March 2009.Dun & Bradstreet published the results of its latest business expectation survey yesterday, showing a strong increase in the number of businesses planning to borrow.More than 20 per cent of the business owners surveyed said they intended to seek credit to grow their businesses. This is up from 15 per cent the previous month and more than double the levels recorded throughout most of 2012 and the first half of 2013.More than 60 per cent of respondents said they were more optimistic about growth this year, compared to 2013.