Why Payday Loans Should Be Illegal

Payday lenders often take advantage of those who are in desperate need for quick cash by trapping them in a cycle of debt with no way out. Learn why payday loans should be illegal from an expert's perspective.

Why Payday Loans Should Be Illegal

Lenders often claim that high interest rates are necessary to finance payday loans, as they are considered risky. Opponents of the Obama-era payday loan rule argue that the provisions on capacity to pay were too onerous and costly. D. Lynn DeVault, President of the Community Financial Services Association of America, stated that the provisions on capacity to repay were simply unfeasible and placed burdens on consumers and lenders in the form of unreasonable levels of documentation that were not even required of mortgage lenders.

Complex and costly regulations would have kept lenders out of business rather than protecting consumers, he added. Fortunately, there are laws aimed at protecting borrowers from usurers and other predatory lenders. These laws limit interest rates, prohibit discriminatory practices and even prohibit some types of loans. While Congress has passed some federal credit laws, many states have taken the initiative to curb predatory lending. It is important to familiarize yourself with the latest rules, as credit standards and products are constantly evolving. States protect their citizens from usurious payday loans by banning the product or setting rate or usury limits.

The number of monthly maintenance charges allowed is equal to the number of months of the loan term minus one month. Sometimes, the lender may ask you to write a check for the payment amount, which the lender will collect when the loan is due. New York and New Jersey have banned payday loans through criminal usury statutes, limiting loans to 25 percent and 30 percent annual interest respectively. Research has found that access to payday loans leads to more difficulties in paying bills, more involuntary closures of bank accounts (due to overdrafts) and less preparation on the part of aviators. NCSL cannot provide guidance to citizens or businesses regarding payday lending laws and practices. In some cases, it might be true that payday loans are repaid on time; however, 80 percent of payday loans are renewed multiple times according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The minimum loan duration may be less than 91 days if the total monthly payment of the loan does not exceed an amount that is 6 percent of the borrower's verified gross monthly income or 7 percent of the borrower's verified net monthly income, whichever is greater. The annual percentage rate (APR) by which payday loans often approaches one of the reasons why these loans are considered a bad option. If a loan under this section has an initial term of less than one month, the lender may earn a minimum of the acquisition fee and an interest charge that produces the same return cash than the installment account handling fee calculated at a daily rate during the term the loan is outstanding. The key question here is whether reinvestment-prone borrowers are systematically too optimistic about how quickly they will repay their loans. Many elements of payday loans criticize their excessive and spiraling tariffs and their focus on minorities are not kept under scrutiny or the weight of evidence. Each page shows the maximum number of loans a consumer can have, limits on loan renewals, and requirements for extended repayment plans. It is also illegal for a debt collector to collect, or attempt to collect, a payday loan in New York State.

In fact, lobbyists in Pennsylvania have already exploited loopholes in the proposed payday lending rule to falsely claim that the CFPB has given its seal of approval to payday-like loans. Damages and costs to which the licensee may be entitled by law in connection with any civil action to collect a loan after default are limited; however, they cannot exceed the amount of the loan originally contracted. It is clear that payday loans should be illegal due to their excessive interest rates and fees, as well as their focus on vulnerable populations who may not be able to pay back their loans in full. Payday lenders often take advantage of those who are in desperate need for quick cash by trapping them in a cycle of debt with no way out. States should continue to take action against these predatory lenders by banning them or setting rate or usury limits.

Cara Longendyke
Cara Longendyke

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