Payday and Other Small Dollar Loans

Joint research from CRL and the Consumer Federation of America finds that car-title loans—small-dollar loans secured by the title to a vehicle owned outright—cost U.S. consumers $3.6 billion a year in interest on $1.6 billion in loans. Read the Full Report Read the Executive Summary These products share many of payday loans' predatory features: triple-digit interest rates, balloon payments at...

Some 250 advocates urged four federal regulators to end the predatory practice of bank payday lending on February 22, 2012. The CFPB, OCC, FDIC and Federal Reserve Board can and should stop Wells Fargo, US Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Regions Bank from trapping their customers in long-term debt at 400% annual interest. The Honorable Ben S. Bernanke Chairman Board...

Consumer groups fear OCC proposed guidance may legitimize and facilitate the spread of payday lending by national banks, and banks would continue abusive overdraft practices—harming bank customers, undermining state payday loan laws, and weakening the long-term safety and soundness of financial institutions.

Press Release Full Pollster's Report A brief poll conducted in November 2010 to guage public opinion of a potential moratorium and other land-use restrictions on paydy lenders in San Jose found that most voters hold an unfavorable view of payday lending; many would like to see stronger restrictions on payday lenders and most believe that the City of San Jose...

This color-coded map of payday stores by household reveals a disturbing pattern. Southern states are among the most targeted for these high-cost, low-dollar loans.

Download the complete report >> (PDF, 31 pp.) Download the executive summary >> (PDF 4 pp.) Watch our 2 minute video press release on Phantom Demand Leslie Parrish discusses the findings in this 9 minute webinar A full three quarters of loan volume of the payday lending industry is generated by borrowers who, after meeting the short-term due date of...

While the payday lending industry frequently describes its typical customer in detail, discussion of race is noticeably absent. This report corrects that omission. Our analysis of North Carolina neighborhoods reveals a powerful relationship between the proportion of African-Americans in a neighborhood and the prevalence of payday lending stores. African-American neighborhoods have historically been disadvantaged by unfair lending practices. This study...