States Respond to Increase of Payday Loans: Interest-Rate Caps

As payday loans continue to rise in popularity, more states are pushing interest rate caps. States such as California and New York have passed legislation that limits the number of payday loans a person can take out at one time and prohibits certain loan practices. These moves come as state legislatures across the country grapple with ways to stop lenders from exploiting their residents.

The Legislation Targets APR

In 2012, payday loans in California were capped at a maximum of 36% APR. Now the lending industry is facing even more restrictions from state regulators. Democratic lawmakers have proposed legislation that would limit payday lenders to charging borrowers an amount equal to the borrower’s gross monthly income for a two-week period and cap any additional fees or interest charges. 

If passed, this bill would also prohibit payday lenders from making repeated attempts to withdraw cash when repayment amounts come due; however, it would not restrict how many times lenders may try withdrawing funds before considering the transaction declined (a practice known as rolling over). These rules will likely be placed on “permanent” hold until after companies can study what impact they could make on people’s ability to access payday loans.

In New York, lenders are limited to a maximum of 25% APR between $100 and $500. Payday loan rollovers into new loans cannot exceed 20 percent of the original principal amount from one borrowing period to the next unless a consumer agrees in writing at their own discretion not to extend past two weeks (this rule does not apply if borrowers default).

 The legislation also prohibits multiple attempts by lenders attempting withdrawal when repayment amounts come due; however, it would still allow them up to six times before considering an attempt declined. These regulations were included as part of a larger bill that was negotiated with state legislators which are expected to be passed this year after further debate regarding online lending practices.

Other Options For The Consumer

In addition to payday loans, consumers also have other options. For example, borrowers can go through a credit union where they may be charged an interest rate that is under the cap set by their state or apply for a personal loan from a bank or credit union instead of going through lenders. Another option would be to put off purchases and bill payments until after payday in order to save up money before receiving another paycheck. In some cases, taking out a small business loan could work as well if it offers lower APR rates than payday loans do. However, these alternative options come at the cost of paying additional fees so it’s important not to overlook them when making financial decisions about high-interest debt consolidation online.

In addition, lenders are often unregulated and sometimes prey on vulnerable populations such as elderly citizens or college students who cannot afford repayments without borrowing more money from lenders. For these reasons, state legislatures across the country continue pushing legislation to protect consumers against payday loan schemes while making sure they still have access to short-term cash if necessary.

States are pushing legislation because payday loans have been known to carry sky-high interest rates that can easily trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. In response, states like New York and California set maximum APR limits for companies at 25% and 36%, respectively; however, other states including Ohio allow lenders freedom over their own interest rate caps (which also means no restrictions). This means payday loan companies in Ohio are free to charge borrowers whatever the market will bear.

Payday lenders often give out loans without checking a borrower’s credit score or work history which means consumers who cannot afford repayment may be approved anyway due to their lack of any previous credit problems. For this reason, it is important that states put checks on lenders to ensure they are doing so responsibly and not overcharging customers.  

However, there are still some reputable companies where you could get a low interest rate but make sure not to be scammed by false ads and websites.

Payday Champion is one such company that offers payday loans for people who need them. Mirek Saunders of Payday Champion says that with over 20 years of experience offering short-term cash while helping consumers get out of debt and live within their means without getting trapped in an endless cycle of payday loan rollovers.

If you are looking to consolidate your online payday loans, make sure to check out the interest rates first before applying – especially if you have been struggling to repay lenders due to high monthly payments or other financial obligations. You deserve better, which is why we help borrowers find low-interest rate alternatives through our network of credit unions and banks nationwide!

Magdalena Zlatica

“Lifelong entrepreneur. Total writer. Internet ninja. Analyst. Friendly music enthusiast.”