Testimony

On July 29, 2021, Ashley Harrington testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs hearing on "Protecting Americans from Debt Traps by Extending the Military's 36% Interest Rate Cap to Everyone." Her written testimony as well as her oral remarks are available for download. Watch the recorded hearing:

This statement was entered for the record for the July 21, 2021 hearing on “Banking the Unbanked: Exploring Private and Public Efforts to Expand Access to the Financial System” before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions. Download the testimony above or view a webcast of this hearing.

From the testimony delivered by Julia Barnard at the Department of Education's June 23rd hearing: Good afternoon. My name is Julia Barnard, researcher and student loan team co-lead at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), a national advocacy organization focused on fighting predatory lending. I am here to deliver a statement on behalf of the Center for Responsible Lending. Even before COVID-19, student loan borrowers struggled under the weight of more than $1.6 trillion in debt. One in four borrowers was in default or serious delinquency, and many worried about their ability to make...

On April 28, 2021, Lisa Stifler testified in front of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs during a hearing entitled, "The Reemergence of Rent-a-Bank?" Her written testimony as well as her oral remarks are available for download. Watch Lisa Stifler's opening remarks and the entire hearing:

On March 16, 2021, Nikitra Bailey testified in front of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs during a hearing entitled, "Home = Life: The State of Housing in America." Her written testimony as well as her oral remarks are available for download. Watch Nikitra Bailey's opening remarks and the entire hearing:

On March 11, 2021, Ashley Harrington testified before the House Financial Services Committee. Her written testimony as well as her oral remarks are available for download. Watch her opening remarks and the entire hearing:

On March 10, 2021, Nikitra Bailey testified before the House Financial Services Committee. Her written testimony as well as her oral remarks are available for download. Watch her opening remarks and the entire hearing:

Watch Scott Astrada's opening statement and the entire hearing:

On June 17, 2020, Ashley Harrington testified before the House Small Business Committee. This written testimony focuses on: Presenting an overview of the disproportionate economic impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis. Discussing issues with the structure and implementation of the PPP and how they served to limit access for the smallest businesses and businesses owned by people of color. Highlighting the challenges posed by the current requirements to access PPP forgiveness. Providing policy recommendations to ensure 1) the remaining PPP funds reach the smallest businesses and businesses owned...

Borrower story from the testimony of Graciela Aponte-Diaz: California borrower story: I currently have an installment loan in the amount of $2600.00 from Speedy Cash . . . . At the same time, I also have [x] $300.00 payday loans from [x] different storefronts in my neighborhood, including Speedy Cash. So basically, I have both a $300.00 payday loan from Speedy Cash and a $2600.00 installment loan. Is that legal? I am drowning in debt and I can't handle it anymore. I need some relief. This is very stressful and expensive for me, and I don't know what to do . . . . . I 've been paying about $140...