CBC News · Posted: Jun 25, 2018
The B.C. government is tightening rules around payday-lending practices, lowering the maximum amount a company can charge for a $100 loan from $17 to $15.
The new regulations, which go into effect Sept. 1, also extend the payday-loan agreement cancellation period to give a borrower two full business days to cancel a loan without penalty.
CashMoney is one of many payday loan and cheque cashing companies operating in B.C. (Lauren Pelley/CBC News)
Payday loan companies offer convenient but high-cost services and have been criticized for exploiting poor and unsophisticated customers.
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Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said the changes will protect the province's most vulnerable citizens.
"Today, we're making changes to better protect British Columbians who use payday loans and cash social assistance and disability assistance cheques," said Farnworth,
Other changes announced include:
Capping the fee for cashing a provincial social assistance or disability cheque at $2, plus one per cent of the value of the cheque, up to a maximum of $10.
Prohibiting payday lenders from requiring or requesting borrower consent to use or disclose personal information for anything other than a payday loan.
Clarifying payday lenders' data-reporting timelines to help Consumer Protection B.C. focus its education and compliance efforts.
"Today's announcement will ensure people who are receiving income and disability assistance and who rely on these services are protected from unscrupulous practices," said Shane Simpson, the minister of social development and poverty reduction.
The province also announced it had launched a website called Borrowing Money to provide information about taking out a loan of any kind.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-announces-tougher-ru...
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