CFPB Fines Predatory Student Lending Practices; Religious Organizations Pray for Relief (tags)
Synagogues and churches held prayer services for students as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined Discover Bank $18.5 million for illegal student lending practices. The bank must repay students $16 million, pay a $2.5 million civil penalty and reform its lending practices. The Bureau accused Discover of overstating the minimum amount due in billing statements, misrepresenting students' total interest payments and engaging in illegal debt collection practices. The penalty is the first of its kind by the Bureau against a student loan company. "This fine sends a strong message to companies that take advantage of students," said Eric LeCompte, executive director of the religious anti-poverty coalition Jubilee USA Network, which advocates for responsible student lending policies. "Predatory lending traps students in debt." This past weekend, 64 faith communities from 26 states prayed and acted for fair student lending policies as part of Jubilee USA's national interfaith "Jubilee for Students" prayer event. In 2012 and 2013, the event pushed congressional legislation to stop federal student loan interest rate increases.
America's Student Loan Racket (tags)
student loans
America's Student Loan Debt Bondage (tags)
class war
Permanent Debt Bondage from America's Student Loan Racket (tags)
mega-theft
ALERT - Stop the Budget Cuts! (tags)
A vote is possible February 1. Call your representatives toll free and oppose the budget reconciliation bill - 1-800-393-1082