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Indian Tribal Loans Are Directed At A Niche Market

By William Radke


Indian Tribal Loans are a form of pay day loans. While the poor have been using this mechanism for decades, the present economy is drawing more into its web. Personal income constraints have led to the increased prosperity of this over 40 billion dollar business first started in 1993.

This new marriage of payday loans and Indian tribal identity has been the subject of much debate and criticism. Even though Native Americans are themselves are often harmed by the downside of relying on this type of high interest loan, some Indian tribes have embraced this business as a source of income.

Basically such a loan is offered in small amounts, for a short term with high interest. Their short term nature increases chances of late charges and rollover for the creditor. From one borrower such creditors can get a continuing stream of income. Typically, about three hundred dollars are loaned for a fee. The typical fees range from 15 to 20 per cent of the amount extended. In exchange, borrowers authorize account withdrawal or provide a postdated check.

If the term is under a month, typical interest charged is the equivalent of an annual rate of over 300 to 500 percent. In order to avoid an untenable position, borrowers should pay off the amount quickly. Failure to pay leads to late fees and renewals. This increases the onerous burden.

In many cases the business model promotes continuation of the cycle. The outcome is a very expensive form of credit for consumers who are most vulnerable. But this technique has grown for a reason. There is a market in customers ignored by banks. These are the about 25 percent of households who are underbanked or unbanked. Minorities constitute major users as more than 50 percent of African-Americans and more than 40 percent of Hispanics and Native Americans are in this group.

As the California school district Capital Appreciation Bond scandal reveals high interest financing schemes are a mainstream mechanism. The feature such bonds and payday loans share is a potential for an exorbitant bill. Hence a school district is due to cough up over 55 million on a 4 million borrowing and another almost a billion dollars on an amount of almost a hundred million. Consider over 200 districts have to pay these bills and California is only thirty percent of the market.

Critics claim lenders without scruples are hiding behind tribal sovereignty coverage. Essentially what this constitutes is an off shore residence equivalent on shore. Other businesses have used an off shore base for this purpose as well. The internet has also been used to escape state regulatory control. Tribes can protect the sanctity of their independence and the interest of their people by not permitting unscrupulous businesses to take advantage of them.

People who need a stop gap solution and have few alternatives will pay despite the cost. Indian tribal loans, check cashing operators and subprime credit cards are the currency that maintains the liquidity of this cash strapped customer base. The customer base in this time of limited jobs and low income has no sign of diminishing. Consumers are advised to protect themselves by reading the terms of the loan. They should not make a commitment they cannot afford.




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