Massachusetts Regulator Issues Cease-Activity Directives to Payday Lenders

On August 18, the Massachusetts Division of Banks (the Division) announced that it has issued cease-activity directives to 95 companies allegedly making illegal payday loans to Massachusetts consumers. According to the Division, many of the companies it identified were charging annual percentage rates averaging over 500% and fees averaging $40-60, in violation of the Massachusetts small-loan licensing law.