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Podcasts Take Two
Payday lenders find ways to skirt Military Lending Act
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May 15, 2013
Listen • 7:49
Payday lenders find ways to skirt Military Lending Act
A new investigation from ProPublica and Marketplace finds that lenders have found ways around a federal law meant to protect members of the US military from predatory loans.
Payday lending company Cash America is accused of robo-signing, overcharging military members and impeding a federal investigation.
A general view of a 'Speedy Cash' cash loans shop on Brixton High Street.
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Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
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A new investigation from ProPublica and Marketplace finds that lenders have found ways around a federal law meant to protect members of the US military from predatory loans.

A federal law that went into effect in 2007 was meant to protect members of the US military from predatory loans. These payday loans charged sky-high interest rates – up to 400 percent and more. The Military Lending Act capped short-term loans with a 36-percent APR.

But a new investigation from ProPublica and Marketplace finds that lenders have found ways around those regulations. Paul Kiel, a reporter with ProPublica who co-wrote the story, joins the show with more.