Research

A review of 2019 data shows that big banks continue to collect over $11 billion in overdraft related fees each year. Banks engage in a number of abusive practices that combine to drain massive sums from their customers’ checking accounts. The large majority of these fees are shouldered by banks’ most vulnerable customers, often driving them out of the banking...

A majority of Americans across all regions of the US support permanently reducing student loan debt by $20,000 for all borrowers, according to a new bipartisan poll by Lake Research Partners and Chesapeake Beach Consulting. Download the poll results Download the top lines

Americans of all partisan identities,and across all regions of the United States,strongly support enacting new consumer protections on high-interest lending during the coronavirus crisis. Americans are highly supportive of prohibiting all high-interest loans during the crisis and of capping interest rates for consumer loans, according to a new bipartisan poll from Lake Research Partners and Chesapeake Beach Consulting. Download the...

Morning Consult conducted a survey, commissioned by Center for Responsible Lending, of approximately 10,000 registered voters. The results are presented in categories as short Powerpoint-style slide decks with key takeaways, charts, and maps. Dangers of Rent-a-Bank Schemes Bipartisan Support for Stopping Predatory High-Interest Loans Broad Support for Interest Rate Cap Among Payday Loan Borrowers

New Jersey has long been a national leader in the fight against predatory lending which strips wealth from communities. Strong state usury laws protecting New Jerseyans from payday lending in the state save New Jerseyans over $193 million annually. New Jerseyans continue to overwhelmingly support a rate cap on payday and consumer installment loans and want to ensure the strong...

If Treasury and FHFA release the GSEs from conservatorship, they should continue the return-regulated approach FHFA has used effectively in conservatorship. Utility-like regulation would allow the GSEs to continue to operate at low risk and in a way that provides broad access to affordable mortgage credit nationwide. Removing that check on GSE returns on equity would lead to greater risk...

Morning Consult conducted a survey, commissioned by Center for Responsible Lending, of approximately 10,000 registered voters. The poll is presented as a short Powerpoint-style slide deck with key takeaways, charts, and maps. This poll presentation is linked to above and here. Key findings include: An overwhelming majority (82%) of those who have taken out payday loans support an annual interest...

Georgia has long been a national leader in the fight against predatory lending, imposing strict usury limits on small loans. In 2004, Georgia legislators closed loopholes used by payday lenders to charge triple-digit interest rates; they reaffirmed their commitment to keeping payday lending out by increasing fines and criminal penalties for making small loans at illegal interest rates. These laws...

In South Carolina, payday and car-title lenders charge working families 395% interest, creating a debt trap that can keep South Carolina families in a cycle of debt for years. In fact, these lenders drain more than $245 million from South Carolinians, primarily from low-income families and communities of color. South Carolinians want reform that has been proven to stop the...

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...