CFPB issues proposed payday lending rule

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today proposed a rule aimed at ending payday debt traps by requiring lenders to take steps to make sure consumers have the ability to repay their loans. The proposed rule would also cut off repeated debit attempts that rack up fees. The proposed rule would cover payday loans, auto title loans, deposit advance products, and certain high-cost installment and open-end loans.

The CFPB says that the proposed rule would put an end to risky practices in these markets that trap consumers in debt they cannot afford. The proposed ability-to-repay protections include a “full-payment” test that would require lenders to determine upfront that consumers can afford to repay their loans without reborrowing. The proposal includes a “principal payoff option” for certain short-term loans and two less risky longer-term lending options so that borrowers who may not meet the full-payment test can access credit without getting trapped in debt. Lenders would be required to use credit reporting systems to report and obtain information on certain loans covered by the proposal. The proposal would also limit repeated debit attempts that can rack up more fees and may make it harder for consumers to get out of debt.

A fact sheet summarizing the rule is here The proposed rule is here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *