Banks borrowed in record amounts from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending facility over the past week, while investment banks drew loans at a brisk -- though slightly lower -- pace, fresh proof of the credit problems gripping the country.

The Fed's report released Thursday said commercial banks averaged a record $75 billion in daily borrowing over the past week.

For the week ending Wednesday, investment firms drew $134 billion. That was down from a record $147.7 billion in the previous week.

This category was broadened last week to include any loans that were made to the U.S. and London-based broker-dealer subsidiaries of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch.

Squeezed banks and investment firms are borrowing from the Fed because they can't get money elsewhere. Skittish investors have cut them off, moving their money into safer Treasury securities. Financial institutions are hoarding whatever cash they have, rather than lend it to each other or customers.