This town of 73,000 is well known for some things — the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the presidential collection of William McKinley, a lively downtown arts scene.
However in banking sectors, this has gained an even more reputation that is distinct Canton is a nexus of this payday lending industry, by which those who have difficulty making ends fulfill from 1 paycheck towards the next sign up for high-interest loans from specialty loan providers.
On 30th Street, a half-dozen payday lending outlets encircle a popular shopping mall, as well as lunchtime they draw a stable audience of clients. In the Advance America store, Martin Munn stopped in recently together with his young child to complete their biweekly banking: Nearly every payday, he cashes his check, takes care of his final loan in complete and removes a fresh one against their next paycheck. The total amount he borrows differs, however it is typically around $500, which is why he will pay a charge of $73 — a 380 per cent interest rate that is annual.
The girl who manages the shop, Tanya Alazaus, greeted Mr. Munn with a grin. The store appears like a bank that is small, with clerks waiting behind counters to address transactions and speak to their regulars. Mrs. Alazaus views by herself as a family merchant that is local.
But federal regulators view her and businees like Advance America quite differently: as an element of a predatory industry that is ripe for reform and a crackdown.
The customer Financial Protection Bureau, the watchdog agency arranged after the past economic crisis, is poised to look at strict new national guidelines which will curtail lending that is payday. These will restrict the true quantity of loans which can be drawn in quick succeion and can force organizations like Advance America to check on that their borrowers have actually the methods to repay them. (more…)