What is a Payday Loan in Columbia?
Payday Loan in Columbia, MO is a short-term, high-interest loan typically designed to be repaid on the borrower's next payday. These loans are often sought by individuals who need quick access to cash for unexpected expenses or emergencies.
Payday loans are intended for short durations, usually until the borrower's next payday. The loan amount is typically repaid in full, including fees and interest, when the borrower receives their next paycheck.
What is the Maximum Payday Loan Amount in Columbia?
In Columbia, based on the 2006 legal amendments, the maximum amount for a payday loan is set at $500. Lenders are prohibited by law from providing payday loans that exceed this specified limit. Borrowers should take note of these regulations, ensuring that any loans obtained adhere to the legally allowed amount. It's crucial for individuals to carefully evaluate their financial requirements, borrowing only what is essential to avoid unnecessary debt and potential financial challenges.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Requirements
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Age. Borrowers are typically required to be at least 18 years old.
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Income Verification. Lenders often require proof of a regular and verifiable source of income. This could be in the form of pay stubs, bank statements, or other documents.
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Bank Account. A valid and active checking account is commonly required for payday loans. Lenders may ask for your account information to deposit the loan funds and to withdraw the repayment amount on the due date.
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Identification. Borrowers usually need to provide a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
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Contact Information. Lenders may require proof of residence and a valid phone number.
Rates
In Columbia, Missouri, the law limits the total amount of all interest and fees for payday loans to 75% of the initial loan amount for the life of the loan plus all renewals. A licensed lender, whether a corporation, organization, or individual, is permitted to apply and receive interest payments on any unpaid balances at the rate agreed upon by the parties involved. However, a borrower may not be required to provide payment of an amount of accumulated interest and fees greater than 75% of any single loan or the initial loan (Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.505.3 – Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.500 et seq.).
As a result, the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for payday loans in the state of Missouri can be quite high. In some cases, it amounts to 1950%, and the most recent figure for 2019 indicates that APRs for payday loans in Missouri can reach 443%, according to the Center for Responsible Lending 2019. It's crucial for borrowers to be fully aware of these high interest rates and fees before considering a payday loan, and they should carefully review the terms and conditions provided by the lender. Additionally, exploring alternative financial options with lower costs is advisable.
Online Lenders
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Ace Cash Express is a well-known online lender that offers payday loans. They provide short-term loans and other financial services.
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Check Into Cash is another online lender that offers payday loans. They provide various financial services, including payday advances, both online and in-store.
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CashNetUSA is an online lender that offers payday loans, installment loans, and lines of credit. They operate in multiple states, but availability can vary.
Non-online Lenders
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Advance America is a well-known in-store lender that provides payday loans and various other financial services. They typically have physical locations where borrowers can apply for loans in person.
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World Finance is a company that offers installment loans and personal loans, including in-store services. Borrowers may be able to visit their physical locations to apply for loans.
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Mariner Finance is a company that specializes in personal loans, including installment loans. They may have in-store locations where borrowers can apply for loans in person.
Alternatives to Payday Loans in Columbia
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Payday Alternative Loans (PALs). PALs are small-dollar loans offered by some federal credit unions as an alternative to high-cost payday loans. They have lower interest rates and more reasonable terms. Local credit unions, such as Veridian Credit Union or United Credit Union, may offer PALs.
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Cash Advance from Credit Cards. Some credit cards allow users to take a cash advance. While interest rates can be high, they are typically lower than payday loan rates. Various credit card issuers offer cash advance services.
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Bad credit personal loans are designed for individuals with lower credit scores. They typically have higher interest rates than traditional loans but are often more affordable than payday loans. These loans provide a lump sum that is repaid in installments. Bad credit personal loans may be offered by online lenders such as OppLoans or Upstart.
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Title loans involve using the borrower's vehicle as collateral. The loan amount is determined by the value of the vehicle. While title loans are an option, they come with the risk of losing the vehicle if the borrower fails to repay the loan. TitleMax and LoanMart are examples of companies that offer title loans. However, it's crucial to use caution with title loans due to the high-risk nature of potentially losing your vehicle.
Payday Loans Legal Regulations in Columbia
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Maximum Loan Amount. Payday loans in Columbia are capped at a maximum amount of $500.
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One Loan at a Time. Borrowers are restricted to having only one payday loan simultaneously.
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Roll-Overs. Lenders can offer up to 6 roll-overs to a borrower, provided that the borrower reduces the principal amount by 5% before each renewal.
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Interest and Fees Limit. The law limits the total amount of interest and fees to 75% of the initial loan amount for the entire duration of the loan, including all renewals.
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APR Limit. The state of Missouri has the highest Annual Percentage Rate (APR), reaching up to 1950% in certain cases. In 2019, APRs for payday loans in Missouri could go up to 443%, according to the Center for Responsible Lending 2019.
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Loan Term. Payday loans in Columbia come with a term ranging from 14 to 31 days.
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Criminal Actions Prohibited. Except in cases where the borrower stopped payment on the check or closed the account before repayment, criminal actions against borrowers are prohibited.
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Collection Fees. Collection fees are permissible in case of insufficient funds but not through a series of Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions.
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Privacy. Lenders are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of customer information and are prohibited from sharing it with other lenders. Borrowers must receive information about the APR charged by the payday lending business before signing any agreement.
Important
How to Choose a Lender
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Make sure to confirm whether the lender is licensed to operate in your state. You can verify this information with your state regulator or attorney general.
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Check if the lender is a member of a reputable association, such as the Community Financial Services Association of America. Membership in such organizations may provide an extra level of reliability.
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Carefully review all the terms and conditions of your payday loan contract.
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Thoroughly examine the interest rates on payday loans and ensure that your contract includes a detailed breakdown of the total cost of the loan.
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Take advantage of your right of rescission. Usually, you can rescind the loan within three days after signing the agreement. Alternatively, there is typically a "cooling-off" period, which allows you several days to thoroughly review the contract before making an informed decision to enter into a consumer loan agreement based on the terms specified by the lender.
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Choosing a payday lender is a significant decision that demands careful consideration and a good understanding of how such organizations operate.
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