The predatory payday lending market in Indiana is expected to grow, according to a report from the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute.
Payday loans are high-cost, small-amount loans which allow paychecks to be accessed early, but all loan fees are due when a borrower receives the income. Lenders do not perform credit checks on borrowers, making payday loans an appealing choice for those falling behind on bills or in need of quick money.
The 2019 and 2023 reports found that payday storefronts are disproportionately found in low-income communities, with the average borrower making a median income of $19,000 per year. The average borrower takes out 10 loans each year and spends five months in debt, totaling $440 in additional fees each time a loan is taken out. In the last five years, lenders charged $322 million in Hoosier communities.
Read more: Hoosiers For Responsible Lending Coalition Launches To Address Payday Lending
The fees for payday loans were found to be as high as 391 percent APR. In comparison, the average credit card APR is around 20 percent. Polling from Bellwether Research & Consulting found that nearly 90 percent of Hoosiers support a cap at 36 percent APR.
Payday loan volumes are expected to reach pre-pandemic levels as the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
