REAL Solutions Payday Loan Alternatives

Overview
Who's Doing It?
Resources

What is a payday loan?

A payday loan is a small (average size is $350) short term cash loan with an average term of usually 14 days.

These loans are available at a variety of alternative financial service providers and generally have a fee per hundred borrowed resulting in triple digit interest rates. On the due date (typically the borrowers next payday), lenders require a balloon payment of the entire principal plus interest.

Many consumers cannot afford to repay the entire debt and are forced to roll the loan over with new fees. This balloon payment is what causes the cycle of debt.

Who uses payday loans?

Payday loans are apt to be used by consumers who:

Are banked – 100% have a bank account
May be homeowners (42%)
Are often under the age of 45 (median age is 32)
Are women with children at home (62%)
Are of low to moderate income – 50% have incomes from $25,000 to $50,000

Why should credit unions care?

An estimated 15 to 20 % of credit union members are using or have used a payday loan product sometime within the past five years.

Members using this product are often caught in a cycle of debt making it difficult to honor obligations – such as credit union loans – or to save for the future.

Members turn to alternative providers because they provide fast and easy loan approval with few questions asked or because they do not want their credit union to know they are having financial difficulties.

What can credit unions do?

Credit unions may consider offering an affordable payday loan alternative that is sustainable for the credit union. There are hundreds of credit unions providing their member’s affordable solutions. To learn more about what your credit union can do – download the REAL Solutions Payday Loan Alternative Toolkit or browse the Who’s Doing It tab above for specific case studies.

ASI

Harahan, LA

Stretch Plan » View details

The credit union began offering the Stretch Plan product in 1999 because members were using payday lenders. “Our branch managers noticed a high number of check cashers and payday lenders coming into our branches to cash our member’s checks,” says Shannon Cian (title). “We wanted to provide a more affordable product and bring people into the traditional banking sector. Some of our members have stopped using payday lenders, but we are realistic enough to know that some continue to use them.”

St. Louis Community

St Louis, MO

Freedom Loan - St. Louis Community » View details

We all face times in our lives when money is tight and we need cash to tide us over until the next payday. In these moments, consider a Freedom “Payday” Loan Alternative with St. Louis Community.

When unforeseen financial emergencies arise, the last thing you need is to be taken advantage of by a lender who is motivated by profit, not your well-being. At St. Louis Community, we won’t charge you outrageous rates or fees. Plus, a portion of your loan advance is put into a mandatory savings account at the Credit Union to help you get back on track.

Air Academy

Colorado Spring, CO

Smart Solution Loan - Air Academy » View details

Air Academy FCU decided to offer a payday loan alternative when it realized its military personnel were the primary targets of payday lenders. In fact, one in five active military soldiers had payday loans, reports Karin Kovalovsky, VP of marketing and corporate communications. When payday loans to military personnel and their families were capped at 36% and payday lenders started closing up shop, Air Academy realized it needed to step in and fill the short-term loan void by offering an alternative at reasonable rates and fees. Its Smart Solution Loan was the result.