What to Know About Payday Loans

Payday Loans Facts & Figures

• About 12 million Americans take out payday loans each year.
• Payday loans are short-term, high-interest loans that range from $100 to $1,000; they are often easy to get but are notorious for exorbitant fees. Interest rates could total 400% APR or more.
• Usually, the borrower writes a check payable to the lender for the amount borrowed plus fees and interest, or they authorize the lender to withdraw the loan amount plus fees electronically. The lender hands over the amount borrowed in cash and holds their check for a period of time (typically two weeks or until the borrower’s next payday).
• The borrower will need to have enough money in their account to cover the check when cashed. Loan and finance charges are paid in one lump sum. If there is not enough money in the account when the check is cashed, you may pay a bounced check fee or service charge. You may be requested to write a new check or take out a new loan, with additional fees.
• More than 80 percent of payday loans are followed by another loan within 14 days, leading to a hard-to-escape-cycle of one payday loan after another.
• Payday loans are often extended to high-risk borrowers, often African American and Latinx customers. These communities – particularly women of color – are often targeted by payday lenders. This practice has been cited as contributing to the racial wealth gap in the U.S.

Are payday loan interest rates considered to be predatory?

Given that predatory loans typically have interest rates in the triple-digits, many experts warn borrowers to proceed with caution when it comes to payday loans.

As noted above, payday loan interest rates could total 400% APR or more.

If someone needs funds fast, what alternatives exist to payday loans?

Before obtaining an emergency loan like a payday loan, it’s important to examine alternatives such as:

• Explore credit union offerings, or other sources for more favorable interest loans.
• Use any available savings or emergency funds.
• Track spending and reduce spending in non-essential areas.
• Check for available resources and assistance that may be available with organizations such as 211.org, nonprofits, charities, or food banks that may be able to supplement household essentials. These organizations may also offer emergency funds or loans.
• Ask creditors or loan servicers for hardship assistance – forbearance, payment deferrals, skip-a-pay, or loan restructure options may be available.
• Seek loans from family or friends.
• Inquire about a paycheck advance from an employer.
• Look for additional income sources such as gig worker opportunities offered by the online portal Steady.
• Sell assets.
• Explore lending circles.
• If there is sizable equity in a home, carefully consider a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance, or secured loan – if repayment is possible.
• A cash advance on a credit card can be a convenient way for borrowers to easily access  money quickly. Carefully consider your options before pulling the trigger, however. Cash advances typically have a 3-12% higher APR than standard purchases, plus a transaction fee of 2-5% on the borrowed amount. This will likely affect a borrower’s credit score (credit utilization) and can balloon debt substantially, so pay the debt off as soon as possible.