'Payday loan self-regulation may be more of a stick than bargained..' blog discussion

Former_MSE_Helen

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "Payday loan self-regulation may be more of a stick than they bargained for" Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

Rafter

I admire your optimism Martin, but I'm not sure the risk of ombudman sanction will be enough to clean up this industry.

Also not sure that 60 days of non-payment is enough either - unless someone has lost their job or had their debit card frozen, it is likely that a payday loan company will be able to take some money in this time and start the clock running again.

The bigger stick might be the affordability assessment in my view. If someone can really afford a payday loan without getting into trouble, because of a one off unexpected bill for example, then the credit is probably cheaper than an unauthorised overdraft and could be seen as 'fair' to a consumer.

The problem is, I think only 10% of current payday loan customers fall into this group and the rest are taking advantage of people who are overstretched and need help or who are incapable of budgeting properly.

R

MSE_Martin

Rafter wrote: »

I admire your optimism Martin, but I'm not sure the risk of ombudman sanction will be enough to clean up this industry.

Also not sure that 60 days of non-payment is enough either - unless someone has lost their job or had their debit card frozen, it is likely that a payday loan company will be able to take some money in this time and start the clock running again.

The bigger stick might be the affordability assessment in my view. If someone can really afford a payday loan without getting into trouble, because of a one off unexpected bill for example, then the credit is probably cheaper than an unauthorised overdraft and could be seen as 'fair' to a consumer.

The problem is, I think only 10% of current payday loan customers fall into this group and the rest are taking advantage of people who are overstretched and need help or who are incapable of budgeting properly.

R

Hi

Please don't think im saying this self-regulation is close to being enough. Its an improvment but only mildly. The point of the blog is these new weak rules may be more enforceable than people think