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Lip Service Masquerading as Credit Inclusivity

When Wells Fargo first rolled out its Flex Loan program, it was heralded by advocates like The Pew Charitable Trusts as evidence that America’s largest banks were finally offering an “affordable” alternative to short-term credit products. Bankrate’s own review of the Flex Loan paints a favorable picture, touting fast approval, lower fees than payday loans, […]

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Report: Swipe Right

How comparison shopping tools and lead generators revolutionize consumer access to products and services.

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Alaska Conservatism Culture Domestic Policy Economic Opportunity Economy Government Regulation Legal and Judicial Life Markets and Finance New Mexico Political Thought Poverty & Welfare Poverty and Inequality Progressivism Public Opinion Technology Testimony Top Issues Updates

Fighting Back Against Rate Caps in Alaska: SPPI’s Testimony on Senate Bill 39

Last week, I had the opportunity to testify before the Alaska Senate Finance Committee on the dangers of Senate Bill 39, a proposal to impose a 36% APR cap on consumer credit. Additional testimony was submitted to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee before the bill was advanced to the Senate Finance Committee. This legislation […]

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Alaska Conservatism Culture Domestic Policy Economic Opportunity Economy Government Regulation Markets and Finance Marriage and Family New Mexico Political Thought Poverty & Welfare Poverty and Inequality Progressivism Public Opinion Top Issues Updates

Why Alaska’s Senate Bill 39 Should Be Rejected: Lessons from New Mexico’s Failed Rate Cap

Alaska’s Senate Bill 39 (SB 39) proposes a 36% APR cap on consumer loans up to $25,000. The bill aims to regulate financial services, prevent “predatory” lending, and bring state laws in line with federal consumer protection measures. However, while the bill’s intentions may seem noble, its real-world consequences will devastate Alaskan consumers—especially those with […]

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The CFPB’s Desperate Eleventh-Hour Overreach

Rohit Chopra is lashing out with desperate, partisan overreach in his final days, prioritizing political agendas over consumer protection while creating regulatory chaos and undermining the legitimacy of his tenure and that of the CFPB.

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Domestic Policy Economic Opportunity Economy Government Regulation Markets and Finance Political Thought Poverty and Inequality Public Opinion Technology Top Issues Updates

The US Bank Simple Loan is Hardly Simple

The US Bank Simple Loan is a classic example of how big banks can take something simple and make it incredibly complex.

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Alaska Domestic Policy Economic Opportunity Economy Government Regulation Legal and Judicial Life Markets and Finance New Mexico Political Thought Poverty & Welfare Poverty and Inequality Public Opinion Testimony Top Issues Updates

A Call for Prudent Consumer Credit Legislation in Alaska

Representing the Southwest Public Policy Institute, I recently had the opportunity to testify before the Alaska House Finance Committee and the Alaska Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee regarding proposed legislation on consumer credit. The bills in question, House Bill 145 and its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 264, aim to implement rate caps similar to […]

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Domestic Policy Economic Opportunity Economy Government Regulation Legal and Judicial Markets and Finance Political Thought Poverty and Inequality Public Opinion Top Issues

The Wells Fargo Flex Loan is Anything But Flexible

Wells Fargo’s Flex Loan program is a labyrinth of unclear eligibility requirements and a baffling case of vanishing funds.

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Domestic Policy Economic Opportunity Economy Government Regulation Legal and Judicial Markets and Finance Political Thought Poverty and Inequality Public Opinion Top Issues Updates

Albuquerque Journal: The myth of big-bank small-dollar loans

In response to Fred Nathan’s (July 30) op-ed praising New Mexico’s efforts to end predatory lending, I must assert that the celebratory tone is premature and misguided. Two significant studies conducted by the Southwest Public Policy Institute — “No Loan For You!” published in March 2023 and “No Loan For You, Too!” published in June […]

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Domestic Policy Economy Government Regulation Markets and Finance New Mexico Poverty and Inequality Top Issues

RealClearMarkets: Need a $200 Loan? You’re Mostly Outta Luck

Originally published at realclearmarkets.com on June 21, 2023 In New Mexico, an interest rate cap on specialized emergency loans when into effect in January. Since then, big-bank promoters have endorsed the small-dollar short-term loan products offered by U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Huntington Bank, and others as alternatives. Recently, those same activists have thrown in support for […]

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