This afternoon, Pew Charitable Trusts will host an event in Washington, D.C. focusing on Ohio’s Fairness in Lending Act. Enacted in July 2018, the Act places new limitations on payday loans including an interest rate cap, a limit on the total cost of a loan, and other structural restrictions. The Act is viewed as a significant victory for consumer advocates with the potential to be followed through legislation in other states or through ballot initiatives. (Last week, Colorado voters passed a ballot initiative that places a 36 percent APR cap on payday loans.)
At the event, Ohio legislators from both sides of the aisle, business leaders, advocates, and researchers will discuss the Act. According to Pew’s description of the event, the topics will include a discussion of strategies “to advance meaningful reform in other states with payday loans.”