On December 22, 2020, the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) in partnership with several organizations submitted two letters to the OCC in regard to Oportun's application for a bank charter. CRL takes concern with Oportun's poor underwriting standards that harm the consumers they purport to serve; their intimidating debt collection practices; their new partnership with DolEx Check Cashing stores; and their discussion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). CRL also highlights the need for Oportun to price its loans responsibly at a rate well below a fee-inclusive 36% for larger loans.
The signatories for the long comment letter include the Center for Responsible Lending, California Reinvestment Coalition (CRC), American's for Financial Reform Education Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), LULAC California, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), NEW Economics for Women, Public Law Center, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego. Over 40 organizations from 14 states and DC signed on to the shorter letter.