Baltimore sues online lender for alleged usury
October 10, 2025
On October 6, the Mayor of Baltimore announced the City of Baltimore sued an online lender in state court seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief for allegedly violating state and city law. According to the complaint, the company made small-amount, short-term cash advances to consumers and charged usurious rates. For example, according to the complaint, for a $25 cash advance, the lender would add a default tip of $5 and charge a processing fee of $4, which resulted in an APR over 900 percent. The complaint alleged that the digital payday lender’s actions were unfair, abusive, deceptive and contrary to the Maryland Consumer Loan Law, TILA, and the city’s Consumer Protection Ordinance.