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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Mike Litt, 202-461-3830 (Direct)

U.S. PIRG Statement: CFPB'S Final Rule To Stop Payday Loan Debt Traps

"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Consumer Bureau) took the first step toward ending the debt trap by finalizing new consumer protections for loans where consu

WASHINGTON

"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Consumer Bureau) took the first step toward ending the debt trap by finalizing new consumer protections for loans where consumers must repay all or most of the debt at once. These products include shorter-term loans such as payday and auto title loans, and longer-term loans with balloon payments.

Our own analysis last year of written complaints about payday loans to the Consumer Bureau found significant evidence of the major problem with payday loans: borrowers can't afford these loans and end up trapped in a cycle of debt. Ninety-one percent (91%) of written complaints were related to unaffordability

In particular, we commend the Consumer Bureau for its thoughtful and systemic 5 year, data-driven approach to the problem and its decision to take the first step to rein in short-term, one payment loans by requiring that consumers must demonstrate an ability to repay the loan.

Second, we strongly commend the Consumer Bureau's pronouncement in the rule that it intends the rule to be a floor of protection and that states are "free" to do more to protect their citizens from predatory loans.

The CFPB is prohibited by the Dodd-Frank Act to set interest rate caps, but its rule states: "The Bureau recognizes that States may wish to prevent more harms than are prevented by this rule, and they are free to do so."

Already, 15 states and DC effectively ban high-cost lending through 36% interest rate caps. We pledge to work with those states to defend their laws and work with other states to join them. We will also work with the Consumer Bureau on next steps to finish a rule for reining in longer-term high-cost predatory loans.

U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols across the country, we take on the special interests on issues, such as product safety,political corruption, prescription drugs and voting rights,where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.