For most of Michigan’s history, state laws prevented payday lenders from operating, most recently by limiting interest on consumer loans at 25%. However, in 2005, Michigan became the last state to authorize payday lending when payday lenders pushed for a carve out allowing them to charge rates of 340% APR or higher. Payday lenders drain over $103 million in fees from Michigan residents every year. Now, they want the ability to make longer-term loans at APRs as high as 200%. Michiganders do not want payday lending to expand. Instead, Michigan needs reform proven to stop the debt trap—a true rate cap on payday loans that restores a maximum rate of 36%.
