* U.S. consumers' gloom hurts recovery outlook

* Euro zone bank lending growth slowest on record

* Japan jobless highest since Sept 2003

* Stocks surge in quarter, but fall on last day

(For more on the global crisis, click on [nCRISIS]) (Updates U.S. prices, changes byline)

By Leslie Adler

NEW YORK, June 30 (Reuters) - An unexpected fall in U.S. consumer confidence, slower European bank lending and a rise in Japanese unemployment to a six-year high on Tuesday clouded the outlook for a global economic recovery.

Other U.S. data showed more weakness in housing and in Midwest business activity, although there were glimmers suggesting the 18-month-old U.S. recession could be nearing an end.

The Conference Board's U.S. consumer confidence index fell in June, defying expectations of an increase and sparking investor concern about how quickly consumers will resume spending. [ID:nN30517712].